The Ultimate Chile Con Queso Recipe and 5 Irresistible Twists

Chile Con Queso is a popular Tex-Mex dish made with melted cheese and chilli peppers. It’s usually enjoyed as a dip with tortilla chips or used as a flavourful topping for tacos or nachos.

Chile Con Queso is a versatile dish that can be customised to fit different tastes and dietary preferences. Some variations include adding ground beef, beans, corn, or other vegetables. It can also be made as a vegan dish by using plant-based cheese and omitting any animal products.

So, if you want to try a fresh snack idea, scroll down and get ready to explore the best Chile Con Queso recipe and its other tasty variations.

Classic Chile Con Queso

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The classic version of Chile Con Queso is typically made with melted cheese, chilli peppers, and diced tomatoes. The ingredients are fresh and melted together slowly over low heat, resulting in a rich, creamy dish packed with flavour.

Here’s a classic Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 250g grated cheddar cheese
• 250g grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes and green chillies
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and garlic, and sauté for about 5 minutes until soft and fragrant.
3. Add the can of diced tomatoes and green chillies (with the liquid) and bring to a simmer.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth.
5. Pour the milk mixture into the tomato mixture slowly while stirring constantly.
6. Add a handful of grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese at a time. Stir the cheese until it melts completely before adding the next handful.
7. Stir in the ground cumin and chilli powder, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve hot.

Beef Chile Con Queso

If you’re a fan of meat, you’ll love this delicious beef Chile Con Queso. It is a satisfying dish made with ground beef that boosts savouriness, along with a blend of cheese that provides a creamy texture. The recipe requires minimal effort and can be made in advance. 

Here’s a beef Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 500g ground beef
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 can (127g) green chillies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 200g grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 100g grated White Cheddar cheese
• 150ml milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

Instructions

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. 
2. Add the onions and garlic, and cook until they become translucent.
3. Add the ground beef into the pan and cook until it is browned and no longer pink.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, green chillies, cumin powder, chilli powder, salt, and pepper. Stir well and let the mixture simmer for 10 minutes.
5. In a separate saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch and milk until smooth, then heat the mixture over medium heat, constantly stirring until it thickens.
6. Add the grated Monterey Jack and White Cheddar cheese into the saucepan and continue to stir until the cheese completely melts and is incorporated into the sauce.
7. Pour the cheese sauce into the pan with the beef mixture and stir well until everything is combined.
8. Remove the beef Chile Con Queso from the heat and serve hot.

Sweet Chile Con Queso

If you want your queso dip a little sweeter and less spicy, sweet Chile Con Queso might be the ideal choice for you! It incorporates sweet chilli sauce that balances out the heat of the chillies with a sweet, tangy taste. 

Here’s the best sweet Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 200g grated cheddar cheese
• 100g cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.
2. Combine the grated cheddar cheese, cream cheese, sweet chilli sauce, olive oil, garlic powder, and onion powder in a mixing bowl.
3. Mix everything together until well combined.
4. Transfer the mixture to an oven-safe dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Remove the sweet Chile Con Queso from the oven and serve immediately.

Shrimp Chile Con Queso

If you’re a fan of seafood, you should try the shrimp Chile Con Queso. It is a combination between juicy shrimp and a creamy cheese sauce spiced up with chillies for extra flavour.

Here’s a simple shrimp Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 500g cooked shrimp
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 green chilli pepper, deseeded and chopped
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 tablespoon plain flour
• 400ml milk
• 200g grated cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a pan over medium heat. 
2. Add the onion, garlic, red pepper, and chilli pepper, and sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. 
3. Add the cumin and smoked paprika, then stir to combine.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetable mixture and stir until well combined. 
5. Gradually pour in the milk while whisking constantly to avoid lumps from forming. 
6. Let the mixture cook until it thickens, occasionally stirring.
7. Add the grated cheddar cheese to the pan and stir until it melts and the mixture becomes smooth. 
8. Add the cooked shrimp and stir gently to combine. 
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then serve hot. 

BBQ Chile Con Queso

BBQ Chile Con Queso is a delicious twist on the classic Tex-Mex dish that adds a smoky, barbecue flavour to the creamy cheese and spicy chilli peppers. The result is a rich and flavorful dip perfect for anyone who loves bold flavours and comfort food.

Here’s a BBQ Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 can (120g) chopped green chillies
• 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 8 oz grated cheddar cheese
• 8 oz grated Monterey Jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions:

1. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
3. Add the chopped green chillies, diced tomatoes, barbecue sauce, and smoked paprika, and stir to combine.
4. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. Add the grated cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and stir until melted and smooth.
6. Remove the BBQ Chile Con Queso from the heat, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and serve warm.

Dairy-Free Chile Con Queso

For vegans, lactose intolerant people, those with milk allergies, or anyone avoiding dairy, you can still enjoy Chile Con Queso by making its dairy-free variation. It uses plant-based cheese alternatives to create a rich texture and a taste as delicious as the classic one. 

Here’s an easy dairy-free Chile Con Queso recipe:

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 can (400g) chopped tomatoes, drained
• 1 can (120g) chopped green chillies
• 200g shredded Daiya Cheese (or any dairy-free cheese alternative)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

1. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. 
2. Add the onion and garlic and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes until softened.
3. Add the jalapeño and red bell pepper and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes until tender.
4. Stir in the cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and salt, then cook for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
5. Add the chopped tomatoes and green chillies to the skillet and stir to combine. 
6. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes or until the mixture slightly thickens.
7. Gradually add the shredded dairy-free cheese to the skillet, constantly stirring until it is melted and incorporated into the sauce.
8. Remove the dairy-free Chile Con Queso from the heat, garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, and serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions and Pairings for Chile Con Queso

Chile Con Queso is a versatile and delicious dip that can be served in many different ways. Here are some serving suggestions and pairings:

• Tortilla chips: Chile Con Queso is perfect for dipping. You can serve it with a big bowl of crispy tortilla chips.
• Vegetables: You can serve your Chile Con Queso with fresh veggies like carrot sticks, celery, and bell pepper strips as a healthier alternative to chips.
• Nachos: Layer Chile Con Queso on top of a bed of nachos for a tasty snack.
• Tacos: Chile Con Queso can be used as a filling for tacos, along with ground beef or chicken, lettuce, tomato, and other toppings.
• Baked potatoes: You can top baked potatoes with Chile Con Queso for a delicious and satisfying meal.
• Burgers: Add a dollop of Chile Con Queso to your burger for a spicy twist.
• Salad: You can even use Chile Con Queso as a dressing for a Tex-Mex-inspired salad with lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, corn, and avocado.

Tips and Tricks for Perfecting Chile Con Queso

Though it is easy to make Chile Con Queso, there are some things you have to be careful about to ensure the dish tastes its best. Discover these tips and tricks for making the perfect Chile Con Queso:

• Grate your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking and moisture-absorbing agents that can prevent it from melting properly. So, grating your own cheese ensures that it will melt evenly.
• Use a combination of cheeses: Combining different types of cheese can balance flavours and textures and add depth to the taste of your Chile Con Queso.

• Use low heat when melting the cheese: Melting cheese over high heat can cause it to become clumpy. Instead, use low heat and stir frequently until the cheese is melted and smooth.
• Add spices gradually: Start with a modest amount of spices and gradually increase as needed until you achieve the desired level of flavour and heat to avoid overpowering the other flavours in the dish.
• Avoid overcooking: Overcooking Chile Con Queso can cause it to become grainy and separated. Cook until it’s just heated through and melted.
• Serve immediately: Chile Con Queso is best served hot and fresh immediately after cooking. If left for too long, it might solidify and lose its creamy texture.
• Experiment with different ingredients: You can customise your Chile Con Queso by adding ingredients of your preference, like black beans, corn, or diced tomatoes.

Your Turn to Delight with Chile Con Queso

Whether you’re hosting a gathering with friends, looking for a delightful snack, or simply craving a burst of flavour, a cheesy and spicy dip like Chile Con Queso will get you covered. Armed with the tips and tricks shared here, you’re now ready to experiment with your preferred ingredients and techniques that suit your taste.

For further inspiration, we invite you to explore our website, where you’ll find resources and recipes for many more delightful dipping sauces to complement your meals and various other recipes to expand your culinary skills. 

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