It’s essentially a processed liquid cheese dip, which has a thick, velvety consistency and a slightly spicy taste.īut while it’s a staple of US comfort food, queso was likely developed across the border.

On more than one occasion, queso has been dubbed “the world’s most perfect food.” But that said, it’s most popular in the US, where you can find it on the menu at most Tex-Mex restaurants, like Del Taco, Chipotle, Qdoba, and Buffalo Wild Wings, for example. What is queso and where did it originate? But while the popular dip is usually made with dairy, just like with most cheeses, it is possible to make this savory, addictive treat vegan-without losing any of the delicious taste or texture. It’s often served in Tex-Mex restaurants, usually alongside tortilla chips, guacamole, and salsa. There are a few different types that capture the hearts and appetites of American consumers, but, without a doubt, queso is one of the most loved.Ĭhile con queso, which is often shortened to just queso, is a rich, velvety, gooey mix of melted cheese and chili peppers. Between 19, data reveals that the average person’s consumption grew from 16 pounds a year to around 37 pounds-which is a heck of a lot of cheese. Here’s one recipe we love – or try this one if you’re a bigger fan of white queso.Americans really, really love cheese. With a better idea of what queso is and where it comes from, go forth and conquer your own creation. While it’s not illegal to pour it over chips, burritos or tacos -frankly, queso might work on anything - you won’t find queso purists messing with the classic dipping style. Queso can mix and match any of the above and more, and here’s the thing: When a chef or a queso enthusiast nails a delicious recipe, they may never tell you what’s in it. Some even add meat to queso, like ground beef or spicy sausage. Whether it’s orange or white, queso can contain green chiles or jalapenos or both, and it may be spiced with a dash of cumin or chili powder. Still other recipes use yellow American cheese, and aged cheddar can be a substitute as well.

It can take on a thinner, less gooey consistency when made with white cheddar, while some versions contain Monterey Jack. Today, there’s orange queso and white queso, depending on the types of cheese you use. But can you blame the rest of the country for loving the concept so much they try to re-create it?

Queso traditionalists, you might call them, stick to a classic, tried-and-true recipe: a brick of melted Velveeta and a can of Ro-Tel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chiles.Īs you might expect, however, the concept has gained a lot of traction beyond Texas, known by many Americans as the birthplace of authentic queso in the early 20th century. (On the other hand, queso fresco is just a type of cheese.) In other words, there’s a lot more to queso than just cheese.

Queso, the Tex-Mex cheese dip that has blown up in menus and headlines around the country, is short for “chile con queso,” which translates to “chile with cheese” in English. So, what is it exactly that you’re ordering, other than melted cheese? Queso literally means “ cheese” in Spanish, but that’s not all you’re getting when you order this creamy, gooey, sometimes spicy delight at a restaurant.

Dairy queso