Queso dip is one of those magical foods that is a good idea any time of year, for any occasion. It's a super easy yet satisfying cheesy appetizer that always hits the spot. And there are many different versions to try—from classic white queso, to a dip packed with chiles, to one loaded with meat, there is something for every palate. But this copycat version of Chili's Skillet Queso might just be the best yet. Not only is it a perfect balance of bold flavors, it's easy to make and comes out bubbling, gooey, and irresistible. Get a restaurant-quality dish right from your own stovetop with this copycat recipe.
What Makes Chili's Skillet Queso So Good?
If you've had the bottomless chips, salsa, and queso at Chili's, then you'll know just how good the menu item is. The chain restaurant's cheese dip with beef is popular for its zesty, Mexican-inspired taste, creamy texture, and piping hot skillet presentation. While diners are divided on whether the restaurant's dip is actually queso in the strictest sense, or more like a cheesy, meaty, chili dip, it's a fan-favorite either way.
More importantly, it can be recreated at home with a handful of readily-available ingredients in just about 10 minutes. This decadent cheese dip is perfect when a Chili's queso craving hits but you just don’t feel like putting on pants and leaving the house.
How to Make Copycat Chili's Skillet Queso
Grab a few essentials from your pantry, or the store:
Processed cheese, such as Velveeta, plus milk create a scoopable, creamy texture.
A can of no-bean chili, like Hormel, makes the dip hearty and robust.
Seasonings; lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper, round out the queso dip with bold flavor.
A garnish of chopped onion and cilantro adds a fresh pop to each bite.
Salsa and chips on the side, of course, for dipping fun.
Then follow a few easy steps. Melt the processed cheese in a skillet. Add in the milk, chili, lime juice, and seasonings to combine. Everything melts together easily and the spices help bump up the zest of the canned chili.
While the queso ingredients simmer for a few minutes so the flavors can meld, chop up some onion and cilantro to sprinkle on top of the dip before serving. Scoop out the piping-hot skillet queso with your favorite tortilla chips until you have scraped the bottom of the pan.
This recipe was developed in our test kitchen. Here are some tips and tricks from culinary experts to make the process easier:
Be sure to melt the Velveeta cheese fully before adding in the chili. It makes it easier to incorporate everything together.
This can be made in the slow cooker as well. Add in all the ingredients and cook on Low for 4 hours.
As our Test Kitchen recipe testers say, "The texture is ideal and the beefy bits throughout make it even heartier."
Make Copycat Chili's Queso Your Own
Serve your copycat Chili's skillet queso with your favorite plain or lime-flavored tortilla chips, tostadas, pita bread, veggie sticks, pretzel bites, and more. You can also personalize this recipe to make it your own by substituting in your go-to canned spicy chili, chicken chili verde, or even leftover chili you have from dinner the other night. Really, any combination of cheese, meat, and chili is going to be divine, especially when it's delivered on a crispy chip.
How to Store Leftover Queso
If you are making your queso dip ahead or if you miraculously have leftovers, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator (for up to four days) and reheat it in a nonstick skillet on medium-low until heated through, about 6 minutes.
Processed cheese, such as Velveeta, plus milk create a scoopable, creamy texture. A can of no-bean chili, like Hormel, makes the dip hearty and robust. Seasonings; lime juice, chili powder, paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper, round out the queso dip with bold flavor.
One such recipe, Chiles Poblanos, found in the 1887 cookbook La Cocinera Poblana, was made up of poblano chiles, cheese, and tomatoes. Although chile con queso most likely originated in Mexico, the first published recipe to use the phrase appeared in the United States.
You want to go low and slow to get your cheese melted while stirring occasionally to make sure the cheese melts evenly. How long is cheese dip good for? Your homemade queso should last up to 4 days in an airtight container within the fridge. I recommend reheating it before serving.
Chile con queso ( lit.'chile with cheese'), sometimes simply called queso, is an appetizer or side dish of melted cheese and chili peppers, typically served in Tex-Mex restaurants as a dip for tortilla chips.
Here are a few reasons why it is so beloved by all. Rich and Comforting Flavor: The combination of melted cheese, often with added spices or chilies, creates a flavorful and comforting experience that many people enjoy.
If you resist the temptation to lick the queso bowl clean, you can store leftover queso in the fridge for up to five days. Because of chemical preservatives, store-bought queso has an extended shelf life in the fridge of up to two weeks -- but it can still go bad if not stored properly.
You can also divide the queso into smaller portions and freeze in freezer-friendly packaging. This way, you can thaw smaller amounts as you need your queso fix. It can stay frozen almost indefinitely, but we do like to suggest opening and enjoying within six months.
Pan de queso (English: Cheese bread) is a traditional Colombian roll made with tapioca flour and grated cheese. It is served plain or filled with cream cheese or jam. This food is especially common in the Paisa region of Colombia as breakfast or parva.
No.This product is not vegetarian as it lists 2 ingredients that derive from meat or fish and 4 ingredients that could derive from meat or fish depending on the source.
While pregnant, you should not eat soft cheeses, such as queso fresco, unless they are made with pasteurized milk, to lower the risk of getting infection from Listeria or other foodborne germs.
Introduction: My name is Lidia Grady, I am a thankful, fine, glamorous, lucky, lively, pleasant, shiny person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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