Easy Restaurant-Style White Queso

Ingredients

• 1 lb white American cheese (Cut into small cubes; the author used deli-style packaged white American cheese.)
• 1.5 cups half-and-half
• 7 oz diced green chiles (The transcript also mentions using 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños as an alternative. Drain the canned chiles before adding if packed in liquid.)

Steps

1. 1

   Cut the white American cheese into small, roughly even cubes so it melts quickly and uniformly. Avoid leaving large blocks, which can take longer to melt and may heat unevenly.

2. 2

   Place the cubed cheese in a medium saucepan or pot. Add the half-and-half and the diced green chiles. If using canned chiles, drain off excess liquid first.

3. 3

   Set the pot over low heat. Melt the cheese slowly, stirring frequently with a spatula or wooden spoon so the cheese does not scorch on the bottom. Continue until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy, about 5–10 minutes.

4. 4

   Once smooth, taste and check the consistency. If the queso is thicker than desired, thin it with a small additional splash of half-and-half and stir until incorporated.

5. 5

   Serve the queso hot with tortilla chips, alongside burgers, or as a dip for your meal. Keep it over very low heat or transfer it to a warmed serving bowl, stirring occasionally, because it thickens as it cools.

Notes

The creator described the recipe as approximately six or seven large servings. The transcript gives two chile options: 1/3 cup pickled jalapeños or 1/3 cup diced green chiles, but the creator used a 7-ounce can of diced green chiles. Use low heat to help prevent the cheese from scorching or becoming grainy.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• dip
• vegetarian
• gluten-free
• Mexican-inspired
• stovetop
• quick
• party food