Instant Pot Queso is sure to be your new favorite way to make chili con queso for parties. Cheese lovers know that a good queso dip can turn any gathering into a truly special event. Now, thanks to the magic of the Instant Pot, you can create that perfect queso dip velvety-smooth texture in no time, and with minimal effort.
Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Queso Recipe
- Simple Queso Recipe. This crowd-pleasing recipe takes minutes to make and reheats well.
- All-Occasion Dip. Perfect for all kinds of gatherings including game day, potlucks, or a night at home with friends and family.
- Easy to Use in Meals. Serve this creamy queso dip with chips, drizzle it on tacos, or serve on top of chicken breasts or a baked potato with broccoli. The possibilities are truly endless!
- So Cheesy and Good. The perfect dish to satisfy your cheesy cravings!
This was inspired by my homemade skillet queso dip recipe and goes great with all the best appetizers for parties.
Ingredients
Here's a look at the simple ingredients to make creamy and zesty Instant Pot queso dip.
- Red Onion and Jalapeno Peppers: Add flavor and heat to your queso. I also like to chop up a bit of extra to add on top for serving. The onions are sauteed at the start which reduces their sharp flavor and makes them a bit sweeter.
- Tomatoes with Green Chiles: These flavored canned tomatoes are a great way to enhance the flavor of your queso and give it that extra kick. Make sure you add the entire can with the juices. A popular choice is the brand Rotel but any brand will work well. You can use mild or spicy depending on your personal preference.
- Seasoning: Garlic powder, cumin, and paprika provide wonderful flavor. Feel free to add chili powder, cayenne pepper, chili pepper flakes, smoked paprika, our jalapeno powder, smoked jalapeno powder, or chipotle powder to the cheese mixture to change up the flavor.
- Dairy: Unsalted butter and heavy cream are the base for the cheese sauce.
- Cheese: We're using a combination of cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and Monterey jack cheese: This blend of cheeses creates the most wonderful flavor. Pepper Jack or Colby cheeses will work too or add some cubed Velveeta or white American cheese for an even creamier queso.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
Substitutions and Variations
Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change your queso Instant Pot recipe.
- Add Cooked Protein: Add cooked ground beef, shredded chicken, pulled pork, or even chorizo sausage when sautéing onions to turn your queso into a heartier dish.
- Add More Veggies: Along with red onions and fresh jalapeno peppers feel free to add bell peppers, corn, green onions, or fresh cilantro to your queso.
- Other Garnish Options: Sprinkle with cooked bacon, chopped cilantro, diced avocado, or a dollop of sour cream.
- Adjusting the Heat: Omit jalapenos for a milder queso or to make it spicier, increase the amount of jalapeños, add minced jalapeños with seeds, or use diced habanero peppers or chipotle chilis instead for a more intense kick.
How to Make Queso in Instant Pot
Here's a look at the main steps for making queso in the Instant Pot. Let's get cooking so we can get dipping!
Place the butter in a 6-8 quart Instant Pot and use the “Sauté” function to melt the butter.
- Cook the red onion and jalapeno peppers in butter using the Saute function of the Instant Pot until they're tender.
- Add the entire can of tomatoes with chiles and place the cream cheese and seasonings on top. Pressure cook for one minute and then use quick release to unseal the Instant Pot.
- Stir the onions, peppers, tomatoes, cream cheese, and seasoning together until everything is mixed together.
- Add the heavy cream, cheddar, and Monterey jack cheese.
- Stir the mixture together until completely melted and smooth.
- Check the flavor and adjust the seasoning to your taste before serving.
⭐️ Hint: Use freshly shredded cheese for best results as pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent proper melting.
Storage
Storing: Store leftover queso once it's cool in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days including the day you made it. I don't recommend freezing as the queso texture changes significantly.
Reheat: You can use the microwave, oven, stovetop, or Instant Pot for reheating. Note that queso consistency might change slightly when reheating.
- Microwave: Add the queso to a microwave-safe dish with a tablespoon or two of milk. Microwave in 15 to 30-second intervals, stirring between each. Repeat until heated and you've reached a smooth, creamy texture. Avoid overheating.
- Stovetop: Use a saucepan and heat it over low heat. Stir the queso regularly to maintain a smooth consistency until warm.
- Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and grab an oven-safe dish and pour your queso into it. Cover it with aluminum foil and bake for 10-15 minutes. Check and stir the queso periodically to ensure it heats evenly.
- Instant Pot: Transfer the queso to your Instant Pot and set it to the "keep warm" or "low" setting. Cover with the lid to trap steam and maintain even heating. Stir the queso occasionally until it reaches the desired temperature.
How to Serve with Queso Dip
- Use It in Meals: Serve this queso dip drizzled over soft or hard tacos, spicy chicken wraps, burritos, nachos, skillet roasted broccoli, cauliflower, instant pot asparagus, broiled asparagus, or potato wedges.
- Serving for Parties: Keep your Instant Pot Queso on the "keep warm" setting so your guests can enjoy it at the perfect temperature. You will need to stir it occasionally throughout the party.
- Favorite Dippers: Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite chips, jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel bites, soft or crunchy pretzels, pizza dough breadsticks, baked pita bread, air fryer flatbread, wonton snack crisps, or even vegetable sticks such as carrots, celery, and bell peppers.
- Pair with Other Dips: Serve other dips too like homemade tomato salsa, salsa pesto, guacamole, slow cooker enchilada chili, jalapeno cheeseburger sliders, cheesy bacon ranch bean dip, bacon wrapped stuffed jalapeno poppers, or our hot Mexican corn dip.
Tips
- Adjusting the Consistency: If the dip is too thick add a little water, salsa, or some vegetable or chicken broth. Stir after each addition until the desired consistency is reached. If queso is too thin create a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of water and stir it into your queso.
- Avoid Over-Cooking: This may cause the cheese to separate and become grainy.
- Stir Frequently: This ensures even melting and prevents your cheeses from sticking to the bottom.
- Grate Your Cheese: Use freshly shredded cheese for best results as pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent proper melting.
- Adjust Spiciness: If the queso is too spicy add a teaspoon of sugar or more shredded cheese along with some heavy cream.
FAQ
The spice level can be adjusted based on personal preference. Removing the seeds from the jalapeno peppers will reduce the heat, and you can also choose a milder or spicier variety of tomatoes with green chiles to control the overall spice level.
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for the stovetop by using a saucepan over medium heat instead of the Instant Pot. Follow the same steps until the cheeses are melted and the queso is smooth.
Yes, it is safe to keep cheese dip warm in an Instant Pot for an extended period. Use the "Keep Warm" function to maintain the temperature of the dip without overcooking it. However, periodically stir the dip to prevent it from sticking to the bottom or developing skin on the surface.
Yes, you can prepare the queso ahead of time and reheat it when needed. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and when ready to serve, gently reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring occasionally to maintain a smooth consistency.
Video
More Easy Dip Recipes
Do you like dip? Here are some recipes you may also like to try.
Ready to get cooking? Remember that you can print this recipe if you would like.
Instant Pot Queso
Equipment
- Instant Pot
- Knives and Cutting Board
Ingredients
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup chopped red onion
- 2 jalapeno peppers seeded and chopped remove the seeds and membranes to reduce their heat.
- 1 10oz can tomatoes with green chiles (with juice)
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese
Instructions
- Place the butter in a 6-8 quart Instant Pot and use the “Saute” function to melt the butter.
- Add the red onion and jalapeno peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes or until tender.
- Add the entire can of tomatoes with chiles (including the juice) to the Instant Pot, then place the cream cheese and seasonings on top.
- Place the lid on the Instant Pot, move the valve to the “sealing” position, and set Pressure Cook for 1 minute.
- When the timer goes off, switch the valve to the release position for quick release.
- Stir the onions, peppers, tomatoes, cream cheese, and seasoning together until well mixed.
- Add the heavy cream, cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir until completely melted and smooth. Check the seasonings and adjust them to taste if necessary.
- Transfer to a bowl and serve hot with desired toppings and your favorite dippers.
- Enjoy your delicious Instant Pot Queso!
Notes
- Adjusting the Consistency: If the dip is too thick add a little water, salsa, or some vegetable or chicken broth. Stir after each addition until the desired consistency is reached. If queso is too thin create a slurry by mixing a tablespoon of cornstarch with an equal amount of water and stir it into your queso.
- Avoid Over-Cooking: This may cause the cheese to separate and become grainy.
- Stir Frequently: This ensures even melting and prevents your cheeses from sticking to the bottom.
- Grate Your Cheese: Use freshly shredded cheese for best results as pre-shredded cheese contains additives that prevent proper melting.
- Adjust Spiciness: If the queso is too spicy add a teaspoon of sugar or more shredded cheese along with some heavy cream.
Deb says
Any chance can be made stove top instead if instapot ?
Karin and Ken says
Definitely! You can easily adapt this recipe for the stovetop by using a saucepan over medium heat instead of the Instant Pot. Follow the same steps until the cheeses are melted and the queso is smooth. Stir frequently. You’ll love the results! Any questions don’t hesitate to ask. All the best. Karin
Coleen says
Amazing recipe This queso is so addictive it’s so hard to stop eating it. Weve made it every weekend this month So far we add different things each time and are havin fun experimenting Thanks for sharing
Karin and Ken says
I’m so happy you’re enjoying this recipe. It is too addictive but definitely worth it! I’m glad you’re switching it up every time. Keeps things interesting! Thank you for letting me know. All the best. Karin
Cody says
So easy to make and it is really really good. You can’t go wrong with this recipe. I’ve made it several times now and we all love it. My wife and I have even shared a batch Thanks for sharing
Karin and Ken says
We love the stuff too! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! All the best. Karin