This conversation was sponsored by Land O Lakes Deli American, but all opinions and recipes remain my own.
When I think back to my childhood, most of my memories revolve around food—meals, snacks, and the making of both. Growing up in a relatively remote part of Northern Michigan, we didn’t have access to a wide variety of ethnic foods, but there was one Tex-Mex restaurant we adored. Their hot tortilla chips and creamy queso brought to the table as soon as we sat down were a highlight of long, cold winters. I used to lie in bed plotting ways to convince my parents to drive into town so we could go.
None of my schemes worked.
After we moved, that ready-made queso vanished from my life. As a teenager I never thought to make my own; I relied on prepackaged dips that never lived up to the memory. As an adult I finally experimented, trying countless cheeses in different combinations until I discovered the exact formula for my Ultimate Queso Blanco Dip.
This dip uses just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients, but it absolutely depends on the combination of Land O Lakes Deli American and Monterey Jack cheese. You really can’t omit either one without sacrificing texture and flavor. The Deli American melts into a silky, smooth base while the Monterey Jack adds a touch of stretch. Both cheeses are mild and work beautifully together. I’ve tried adding white Cheddar, and it never achieves the same result—this recipe is best with Deli American and Monterey Jack.
Note: the deli-sliced Land O Lakes Deli American from the refrigerator case performs differently than the individually wrapped plastic slices. The deli version melts better and delivers the flavor and consistency this queso requires. If you’re stocking up, don’t worry about people raising an eyebrow when you buy a lot at once—just smile and offer to share the recipe.
Cook’s Notes
- Use a microwave-safe bowl if you’ll melt the cheese in the microwave.
- If you don’t have a microwave, use a double-boiler method: set a small saucepan over a larger pan with an inch or two of simmering water and stir constantly until the cheese melts and combines.
- This recipe scales well. You can double, triple, or increase the batch further—just use a larger microwave-safe bowl or larger double-boiler and extend cooking time, stirring thoroughly after each minute.
The Ultimate Queso Blanco Dip
This perfectly dippable combination of melted deli American and Monterey Jack cheeses, chopped green chiles, and garlic is the ultimate white queso dip. Use it for tortilla chips, pretzels, tacos, or burritos.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Land O Lakes Deli American
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 can diced green chiles
- 1/3 cup milk
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 clove garlic (or 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic), peeled and minced or pressed
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
Instructions
- Dice the Land O Lakes Deli American and the Monterey Jack.
- Combine the diced cheeses, diced green chiles, milk, water, garlic, and cumin in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Place the bowl in the center of the microwave. Microwave on HIGH for 5 minutes, stirring well after each minute.
- After five minutes, stir until the dip is smooth and uniform. It will thicken slightly as it stands.
- If using a double-boiler instead of a microwave, place the bowl or small saucepan over gently simmering water and stir constantly until fully melted and combined.
Nutritional information is an estimate and provided as a courtesy. Calculate nutrition using the exact ingredients you use if needed.
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For more information about Land O Lakes Deli American, check labels at your local store or consult the brand resources available to shoppers.