This 10 ingredient Crockpot White Queso is the best creamy, cheesy dip studded with green chilies and seasoned with warm spices. A mouthful of fresh Mexican flavors that's the perfect appetizer for any meal or party. Plus this queso dip in the crock pot takes 15 minutes to prep and is hands-free cooking at it's finest.
As a true Texan, queso is in my blood. We have it at every big gathering and celebration. This Crockpot White Queso is the easiest version of the cheesy dip and also my favorite thanks to all of the green chilies mixed in. It has the perfect balance of creaminess and spice plus a flair of warm Mexican spices.
With just 10 ingredients and a prep time of 15 minutes, you can just set it and forget it in your slow cooker and keep it on low heat for your whole party. We like to serve this queso blanco with a variety of toppings and dippers, like cilantro, hot sauce, chips, and crudite.
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The key with a great queso is using the right cheese. American cheese is the best base thanks to it’s very melty texture. I also add another nice melting cheese like pepper Jack or Monterey Jack for a nice cheese pull.
To make sure the queso is the right consistency, be sure to add a thickener like cornstarch. Making this in the slow cooker also makes this a one pot crockpot queso dip that’s also so easy to transport to a guest’s house. Without a doubt this slow cooker queso blanco will be a crowd winning recipe that’s just so delicious.
If you're looking for other delicious queso friendly recipes, try my Queso Chicken and Rice and Southwest Queso Chicken and Rice. You won't be disappointed!
Table of Contents
Ingredients for Queso Dip in the Crock Pot
Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Recipe Card Below
- Pepper Jack cheese: A great melting cheese, studded with chilies to infuse that fresh pepper flavor. Monterey Jack also works great if you prefer no chilies.
- White American cheese: The perfect melting cheese that's mild in flavor and oh so creamy. You can also use yellow American cheese in this recipe too.
- Cornstarch: Used to thicken the queso to the classic consistency. Arrowroot powder is another substitute if you prefer not to use cornstarch.
- Evaporated milk: This is regular milk that has been heated to lose half of the water content. This makes it extra creamy almost like half and half.
- Diced green chiles: Give that quintessential queso flavor with a hint of spice.
- Canned diced jalapeños: We love adding double the chilies! Adds another great kick of heat and a bit of acidic flavor too.
- Spices: A warm and aromatic blend of garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, and chipotle chili pepper give this queso extra rich flavor as well as a bit of a smoky heat.
- Optional Garnishes: I love to jazz up this cheesy dip with more fresh Mexican ingredients, chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sliced fresh jalapeño, sliced green onion, hot sauce, cooked and crumbled chorizo.
How to Make Crockpot White Queso
- In a large bowl, toss the shredded pepper jack and American cheese with cornstarch until evenly coated. Pour into a 1.5 quart or larger slow cooker.
- In the same bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, diced green chiles, jalapeños (if desired), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chipotle chili pepper.
- Pour the milk mixture into the slow cooker, and stir until combined well.
- Cook on low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is completely melted and the dip is smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Keep the crockpot on the warm setting, stirring every 30 minutes, to keep the queso dip creamy and warm for serving. Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite dipping accompaniments.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Choose the right cheese: American cheese is essential as the base here since it has a higher amount of oil in it to make the right creaminess and texture in each bite.
- Why we use Cornstarch: Use as the thickener since it dissolves so nicely into the cheese mixture. You can also use arrowroot powder, just use less.
- Add mix-ins: We love to add canned green chilies, you can also add salsa or Rotel for other great flavors.
Storage Instructions
This queso is great to serve for up to 3 hours at a party on the low setting on the slow cooker.
To store leftovers in the fridge, simply allow the dip to cool to room temperature, then place in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
The best method for reheating is to add back to the slow cooker on low or high heat until warmed through, stirring frequently. You can also heat over low on the stove until warm and melty in consistency. Add a splash of extra milk or cream to thin as needed.
Avoid freezing leftover queso as it can change the texture.
What to Serve with Crock Pot Queso Blanco
Slow cooker white queso is great as a spread at a party. We love to serve it any time of the year with these other delicious recipes:
- Cheeseburger Crescent Ring
- Pulled Pork Enchiladas Verde
- Costa Vida Sweet Pork
- Tropical Pico de Gallo
- Loaded Nachos
- Perfect Brisket
FAQs
White cheese, like American and Monterey Jack, milk or cream, and butter. It can also have chilies and spices stirred in.
Make sure you don't overheat the cheese sauce. If you do, then remove it from the head and let it cool. Then stir in a tablespoon of lemon juice or cream until smooth with good consistency and reheat gently.
It achieves the signature creamy texture since there is less water in evaporated milk than regular milk.
More Mexican-Inspired Recipes
Crockpot White Queso (Queso Blanco)
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pepper Jack or Monterey Jack cheese freshly shredded
- 8 ounces white American cheese freshly shredded
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 4 ounce can diced green chiles drained
- 2-4 tablespoons canned diced jalapeños drained
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon chipotle chili pepper
- Optional Garnishes: chopped fresh cilantro, lime wedges, sliced fresh jalapeño, sliced green onion, hot sauce, cooked and crumbled chorizo
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss the shredded pepper jack and American cheese with cornstarch until evenly coated. Pour into a 1.5 quart or larger slow cooker.
- In the same bowl, whisk together evaporated milk, diced green chiles, jalapeños (if desired), salt, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, and chipotle chili pepper.
- Pour the milk mixture into the slow cooker, and stir until combined well.
- Cook on low heat for 1-2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the cheese is completely melted and the dip is smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
- Keep the crockpot on the warm setting, stirring every 30 minutes, to keep the queso dip creamy and warm for serving. Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite dipping accompaniments.
Video
Notes
- Choose the right cheese: American cheese is essential as the base here since it has a higher amount of oil in it to make the right creaminess and texture in each bite.
- Why we use Cornstarch: Use as the thickener since it dissolves so nicely into the cheese mixture. You can also use arrowroot powder, just use less.
- Add mix-ins: We love to add canned green chilies, you can also add salsa or Rotel for other great flavors.
Kathleen
Turned out fabulous for our potluck today! Love that it doesn't use Velveeta!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I'm so happy it was a hit!
Min
Instead of green chilies and jalepenos I just added a can of rotel. Came out fabulous! Thanks for a great easy recipe.
Laura Ashley
You're very welcome! SO happy it was a hit!
Debi
A fantastic snack for Cinco de Mayo. My family loved it and it was easy to make. Served it with chips like a dip and we had a nacho bar!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I'm so happy it was a hit!
Eliza
My family of queso lovers absolutely LOVES this white queso. I made it for a Cinco de Mayo party and it was a huge hit!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I'm so happy it was a hit!
LINDA KALLOGER
I HAVE LOOKED FOR THE PERFECT WHITE QUESO RECIPE FOR A LONG TIME!
This is perfection!
Laura Ashley
Thank you so much!! 🙂 I'm so happy it was a hit!