House Made Queso Recipe

Temper and thicken dairy

In a small bowl, toss shredded cheeses with cornstarch until evenly coated. This prevents separation and creates a smooth melt. Set aside.

Combine whole milk and heavy cream in a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Warm until steam appears and small bubbles form at the edge (do not boil), about 4–6 minutes.

Reduce heat to low. Add about 1/3 of the warm milk mixture to the cornstarch-coated cheese and stir until a smooth paste forms (tempering). Repeat with another 1/3 until paste is loose, then add mixture back into the saucepan and gently whisk until cheese is fully melted and smooth, 3–5 minutes. Keep heat low to avoid graininess.

While warming the dairy, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add finely diced onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until translucent and softened, about 4–5 minutes.

Add minced garlic and diced jalapeño to the onion and cook 30–45 seconds until fragrant. Stir in drained diced tomatoes with chiles and cook 1–2 minutes to meld flavors and reduce excess liquid.

Taste the onion mixture for moisture. If it contains a lot of liquid, continue to cook briefly until most liquid evaporates so it won’t thin the queso too much. Remove from heat.

Stir the cooked aromatics into the melted cheese base. Whisk gently until combined and homogenous.

Stir in ground cumin, smoked paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning gradually and taste as you go.

Remove queso from heat and stir in fresh lime juice. The acid brightens the cheese mixture and balances richness.

Transfer queso to a warmed serving bowl or small crock. Sprinkle chopped cilantro and sliced green onions over the surface and add pickled jalapeños if using.

Serve immediately with tortilla chips, warmed soft tortillas, or as a sauce for nachos. To keep warm for service, use a low setting on a fondue pot or small slow cooker and stir occasionally. If queso thickens on standing, gently reheat while stirring and add up to 2 tablespoons warm milk to loosen.