Creamy Chilled Queso Dip.
This creamy chilled queso dip is the perfect summer spread. Make it ahead of time for ultimate flavor then serving with tortilla chips or pretzels. It’s super flavorful and extra cheesy!
This title does this delicious dip no justice.
I wish I could explain how incredible this cheesy spread is. It has all the incredible flavors of a melty queso but is chilled and spreadable… so it’s ideal for summer.
This dip… oh my gosh. This has quickly become our new favorite dip. It’s served cold, but is super creamy and almost mousse-like. It’s very pimento cheese-esque, but I’ll go as far to say that I think we like this BETTER than pimento cheese.
Which is huge.
When I tell you that this is the ultimate pool snack, I am not exaggerating.
Sure, it does have to be kept cold. But if you pack it on ice then set it on a bowl over ice, you’re golden. You can use something fancy like this or literally just set a bowl of it over a larger bowl of ice. It will be gone in minutes!
This dip turned out better than we could ever imagine. Lacy and I wanted to make this after she had Hillstone’s queso last year – a creamy, cheese, tex-mex dip but served COLD.
I will admit that I was not on board at first. It didn’t sound overly appealing to me. Heck, after all, one of the best things about queso is the creamy, melty cheese pulls.
BUT.
I am happy to say that I was wrong. This dip is everything I want it to be and more. It tastes exactly like how you’d think a hot, melty queso would taste.
And that’s the bonus. After all, you’re not going to make and serve hot melty queso at the pool. There isn’t an easy way to keep queso hot, unless you rig up some kind of mini crockpot and extension cord situation.
Here’s how it comes together!
The base is a mix of mayo and grated cheese. OH yes. No, there isn’t something you can sub for the mayo. Sour cream or greek yogurt just doesn’t give this the same effect.
The key is that you MUST grate the cheese yourself and the dip turns out better if you finely grate the cheese into smaller shreds – not thicker ones. Use a mix of sharp cheddar and monterey jack for the perfect queso flavor.
Then the adds in! I like pickled jalapeños, red bell peppers and scallions. Dice all of them into the same size, roughly. A little lime juice too.
Stir everything together with a spatula – don’t blend or puree it. Then stick it in the fridge for a few hours or even overnight.
As it sits, the flavor develops. The consistency turns into that mousse-like spreadable but still dippable cheese.
This dip works with tortilla chips, pretzels, crackers, celery or carrot sticks – almost anything. You really can look at it as a spread and/or a dip. Put it on burgers (like I did with pimento cheese here), sandwiches, in pasta or even a casserole.
It doesn’t look like anything overly special, but you have to try it! Mind = blown.
Creamy Chilled Queso
Creamy Chilled Queso
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ½ cups finely grated monterey jack cheese
- ¾ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup diced pickled jalapeños
- ⅓ cup diced red pepper
- ¼ cup diced scallions
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- kosher salt and pepper
- tortilla chips, for serving
- chili lime seasoning, for serving
Instructions
- Stir together the cheese, mayo, peppers, scallions, cilantro, lime juice and a big pinch of salt and pepper. Mix everything together until combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours (or even overnight) before serving. This is great right out of the fridge but I like to let it come to room temperature for 15 minutes or so before serving.
- Serve with tortilla chips, crackers, pretzels or veggies. I sprinkle on some tajin or chili powder right before serving.
Did you make this recipe?
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17 Comments on “Creamy Chilled Queso Dip.”
Is there a substitute for mayonnaise?
there really is not a sub for the mayo here unfortunately! sour cream or yogurt is just too tangy and not rich enough. i would just skip this one if you don’t like mayo! or if you’re willing to do the avocado mayo, that’s what i use!
You’re right….the title doesn’t do it justice! I almost skipped over reading it. I’m so glad I didn’t! I can’t wait to make this! It sounds so good! I love pimento cheese, quest, any sort of cheese dip really (hot OR cold). I pinned it to make soon!!
I thought CHILLED queso sounded a little weird but I was intrigued and needed an appetizer to take to a party this past weekend so I made this. It was DELICIOUS!! Everyone loved it and I will definitely be making it again! Jessica–your recipes are always winners; I shouldn’t have doubted you lol. I followed the recipe as written and used Primal Kitchen avocado oil mayo.
This was so good and tasted exactly like warm queso. You were right!
Any substitutions for cilantro? Or can it just be omitted completely?
Thank you
This was delicious! Love finding make ahead easy dips. This held up beautifully in the refrigerator for multiple days.
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Dangerously addictive! Sooooo good!
This is very good
Not trying to tell you your business, due to my mad respect, but, um, what about adding corn 🥹
I had a small (5 people) event to go to last night at a neighbors house and this was the appetizer I decided to make. I followed the directions exactly as written and I have to say it was a huge hit with everyone. They all loved the great flavor and little “kick” of this easy to make dip.2 people asked me to send them the recipe too. There was very little left over but my husband was happy to finish it off. This will definitely be our new favorite go-to recipe!
I just made this and it’s chilling in the fridge. I wish I didn’t add a pinch of salt though as I tasted it before chilling and it seems overly salty. I did use concentrated lime juice instead of fresh. Do you think the saltiness will mellow overnight in the fridge?
Made this for Labor Day and everyone complimented me on it!!! They all knew it was from your blog though :-)
I omitted the cilantro because I’m not a fan and substituted pickled jalapenos with green chiles in case the kids decided to eat it. So yummy!!!
Can you sub cream cheese for the mayo?
Wow! I needed something quick and easy for yesterday’s 4th of July party and this was a hit. Very simple but undeniably craveable. I added more scallions (just because I love them) and subbed the pickled jalapeno for Hatch green chile (because I had it on hand and my family loves them). Will definitely be making this again!
this is a tasty dip. i mistakenly thought i had lime juice so had to substitute with cider vinegar. will be making this again.