Torchy's Queso Recipe: Transform Ordinary Nachos Into Fiesta

When thoughts of crispy nachos or tortilla chips come to mind, it's almost instinctive to imagine them paired with a delectable cheese dip, perfectly complementing their savory crunch. If you like how this sounds, you must try our copycat Torchy’s queso recipe, which will become your new favorite dip recipe.

Our queso recipe is effortless to make and is ready in 15 minutes. It is warm, smooth, and creamy, and more than this, a healthier dip version. Now it is time to prepare your nachos and a good movie and enjoy the wonderful flavor of our copycat cheesy Torchy’s queso!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Pairings
• Equipment
• Storage
• Pro Tips
• Torchy's Queso Recipe
• Comments

Ingredients

• Green chilies — ¼ cup, canned and undrained
• Diced tomatoes — ¼ cup, canned and drained
• Garlic powder — ½ tsp.
• Onion powder — ½ tsp.
• Cheddar cheese — 1 ½ cups, grated
• Heavy cream — 1 cup
• Oaxaca cheese — 1 cup
• Fresh lime juice — ½ tsp.
• Cilantro — 1 tbsp., finely chopped

Instructions

1. Warm a large saucepan over medium heat.

2. Add the chilies, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, and onion powder and cook for two minutes, frequently stirring.

3. Incorporate the cheddar cheese, heavy cream, and Oaxaca cheese.

4. Drizzle the lime juice and mix all the ingredients.

5. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2-3 additional minutes, stirring occasionally.

6. Transfer the queso to a bowl, and sprinkle it with chopped cilantro before serving.

Substitutions

• Garlic powder — Garlic powder easily blends in the queso dip while providing a special, tangy, and garlicky note. The most accessible replacement option is to use freshly minced garlic, allowing you to enjoy a more pronounced aroma.

• Onion powder — The onion powder has a sharp taste and a strong aroma and is a great addition to our recipe. You can easily incorporate finely chopped onion if you don’t have onion powder, or prefer to give your queso a slightly crunchy texture.

• Heavy cream — The heavy cream's silky and rich texture allows the dip to achieve a smooth consistency, so we recommend not skipping it. For a different option, consider replacing it with half-and-half or whole milk. Note that these alternatives may affect the queso’s texture and taste.

• Cheddar cheese — Cheddar cheese is an essential ingredient in our recipe, not only because it has a bold and distinct flavor but also because it gives the queso a nice dark yellow color. Monterey Jack or Colby Jack cheese can provide a similar flavor and will melt nicely when cooked.

• Oaxaca cheese — Having Mexican provenience, Oaxaca cheese blends well with and enhances the flavor of the ingredients. If you have difficulty finding it in your local store, Monterey Jack or Muenster are suitable substitutes.

Variations

• Add flavor — Add a sprinkle of ground cumin or paprika to your queso dip to get a more robust and complex flavor.

• Add heat — For a spicy queso, you can incorporate more green chilies than mentioned on the ingredient list, or you can also add some diced jalapeño, habanero, or serrano peppers.

• Low-fat — To reduce the fat content of the queso, use whole milk or Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. You could also try to replace the regular cheddar cheese with a reduced-fat version.

• Dairy-free — You can quickly turn the queso dairy-free if you use dairy-free or plant-based substitutes for heavy cream, cheddar, and Oaxaca cheese.

Pairings

• This delicious Torchy’s queso will pair perfectly with any tortilla chips.

• For an added layer of flavor and heavenly creaminess, spoon a generous dollop of queso over your nachos.

• Elevate your taco game by drizzling some queso over your tacos, and enjoy the divine combination.

Equipment

• Measuring cups and spoons

• Large saucepan

• Stovetop

• Wooden spatula

• Serving bowl

• Grater

• Cutting board

• Knife

Storage

• Allow the queso to cool down thoroughly after removing it from the stovetop.

• Avoid leaving the queso at room temperature for too long, as this can lead to spoilage.

• To maintain its freshness and prevent bacterial growth, transfer the queso to a glass jar with a lid or airtight container and refrigerate it for up to three days.

Pro Tips

• Use high-quality ingredients — It is essential to use high-quality ingredients, especially cheese, to achieve flavorful and creamy queso.

• Use a double boiler — To prevent the queso from burning or sticking to the bottom of the saucepan, it's recommended to use a double boiler.

• Stir frequently — Frequent stirring is essential to ensure your queso cooks evenly and doesn't form lumps.