Smoked Queso Dip - 10 minutes

You'll get lost in the flavor of this creamy 10 minute Smoked Queso Dip. You'll be able to tune out your kids for at least 10 minutes, guaranteed. This cheesy, flavorful queso goes great with just tortilla chips, or go crazy and use it for nachos with some beef, avocado, beans and more cheese! It also tastes great with pretzels, bread or just your fingers.

Smoked Queso is a quick way to spice things up for a date night in

My Fridays are jammed packed. By the time I get home at 4:30 I have a bunch of stuff to do and I am STARVING. And when I am starving I tend to get a little cranky. OK, super cranky. Like I’m normally Dr. Jekyll but deprive me of food and out comes Mr. Hyde.

Now I don’t want to ruin my appetite because Friday night also happens to be date night. Our ideal date night is getting appetizers, drinks and dessert. However in this scenario I am also on a beach with no kids and I can go to bed however late I want because I can sleep in the next day.

Alas, this is not reality. So instead, this is what we do. I get home, get the homework started, and make some queso, and of course my cocktail, before I tackle any tasks.

This Smoked Queso is easy enough for a weeknight appetizer

This has a two-fold effect. I now feel a sense of calm. I can take my time helping with homework, picking up toys and getting dinner started because Mr. Hyde is kept at bay. As well as not ruining my appetite for date night dinner that we eat after the kids go to bed.

Use any kind of milk or flour to accommodate any diet

Feel free to substitute here if need be. I usually use almond milk just to cut down on the dairy. But, I have also used every type of flour known to man in this and all worked the same. I haven’t tried using non-dairy cheese but I see no reason why that couldn’t work as well, if foregoing dairy altogether.

We like our queso spicy, so smoky jalapeños are a must, but if you're making this for light-weights they can be omitted.

Simple Ingredients for Smoked Queso Dip

• Unsalted butter
• All-purpose flour — or a gluten free substitute, like King Arthur Measure for Measure
• Whole Milk — or milk substitute if you want to cut back on the amount of dairy/lactose
• Cheddar cheese — or use a Mexican cheese blend
• Jalapeños — seeded and diced — feel free to use fresh or pickled, like in our Monterey Jack Queso
• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Cumin
• Chili powder

How to make queso dip in less than 10 minutes

• In a medium saucepan, melt butter in saucepan on medium heat. Whisk in flour for 1 minute until a paste forms.
• Slowly add milk, continually whisking until mixture thickens. About 2 minutes.
• Turn heat down to low. Whisk in cheese. 
• Once cheese is melted, add spices and chopped jalapeños. 
• Remove from heat and enjoy with chips, bread or your fingers. 

Recipes to use with queso

Simple Nachos — our favorite Sunday night dinner and best way to use leftovers
Carnitas Burrito — use this Smoked Queso instead of cheese...amazing!
Double Decker Tacos — Makes a perfect taco topping!