I’m happy to have developed today’s recipe for Chili con Queso Dip as part of my partnership with Horizon Organic. I love cooking with their naturally good products and feel great about feeding them to my active kids.
Nothing beats a giant bowl of Chili con Queso Dip. It’s essentially your favorite chili topped with a melty, chile-studded cheese sauce — a combination that my family always devours when served with plenty of tortilla chips.
Despite its reputation as something special, chili con queso is actually very simple to make. Reheat your favorite chili and spread it in a serving bowl. In a skillet, melt butter and sweat minced onion with spices and diced green chiles. Whisk in flour to make a roux, then gradually add milk and simmer until thickened. Stir in a blend of meltable cheeses until smooth, pour the cheese over the chili, and serve with tortilla chips. That’s it — rich, cheesy, and effortless.
Many queso recipes rely on shelf-stable processed cheese because it melts ultra-smooth. I prefer using fresh cheeses made from simple, honest ingredients. I was excited to discover that Horizon Organic makes an American cheese with straightforward ingredients — cultured organic milk, organic nonfat milk, organic milkfat, sodium citrate, salt, organic annatto, and microbial enzymes — that melts beautifully and tastes better in my opinion.
To build more flavor and texture, I also add shredded Cheddar and a shredded Mexican blend (or Monterey Jack) so the dip has the classic Cheddar bite plus Tex-Mex flair. In short: more cheese = better queso.
Cook’s Notes
- Use your favorite chili as the base. This recipe works well with classic chili, Cincinnati-style chili, or even leftover taco meat.
- If you can’t find a shredded Mexican blend, shredded Monterey Jack is a great substitute — it melts smoothly and gives excellent gooey texture.
- I tested this recipe with Horizon Organic Butter, American Cheese, Shredded Cheddar, and Shredded Mexican Blend; the combination yields consistent results.
- Use canned diced green chiles or substitute a fresh jalapeño (seeded and minced) for a slightly spicier kick.
- Cilantro is optional but fresh cilantro leaves make a bright garnish.
- For dipping, sweet potato tortilla chips are a favorite, but regular corn, multigrain chips, soft pretzels, or sturdy vegetables all work beautifully. For an indulgent twist, pour chili con queso over crispy fries.
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Useful tools for making Chili Con Queso
- Stainless steel skillet
- Flat whisk
- Heat-proof spatula
- Chef’s knife
- Cutting board
Chili Con Queso Dip
Rebecca Lindamood
Ingredients
- 2 to 3 cups leftover chili or taco meat, reheated
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 small sweet onion, peeled and minced
- 1 (8 ounce) can diced green chiles, drained
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 pound American cheese, thinly sliced
- 8 ounces shredded Cheddar cheese
- 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack or shredded Mexican blend
Optional for garnish
- Fresh cilantro leaves, roughly torn
Instructions
-
Spread the reheated chili evenly across the bottom of a serving bowl (at least 8 cups capacity) and keep warm in a low oven or microwave. Melt butter over medium heat in a skillet. Add the minced onion and sauté until fragrant and translucent. Stir in the drained diced green chiles and raise heat to high, cooking and stirring for 1 minute.
Sprinkle in chili powder and cumin and stir for 30 seconds. Scatter the flour over the mixture and whisk until evenly distributed. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes.
Slowly whisk the milk into the onion and chile mixture until smooth. Bring to a simmer while whisking frequently and allow the sauce to thicken, about 3 minutes. Add the sliced American cheese, shredded Cheddar, and shredded Monterey Jack or Mexican blend all at once. Stir gently until the cheese is completely melted and the sauce is silky and smooth.
Pour the hot queso over the warmed chili. Garnish with cilantro if desired and serve immediately with tortilla chips, pretzels, or sturdy vegetables for dipping.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if needed.
Did you make this recipe?
Tag @foodiewithfam on Instagram and use #foodiewithfamily so I can see your creation!
Want more delicious cheese dishes? Try these!
20 Minute Broccoli Cheese Soup, Breakfast Grilled Cheese, Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs, Homemade Garlic Cheese Breadsticks, Fromage Fort, Cheeseburger Salad, and Smashed Sweet Potatoes with Bacon and Bleu Cheese.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon. The opinions and text are my own.