Velveeta Cheese Dip

Name: Velveeta Cheese Dip
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces Velveeta (cubed); ½ cup heavy cream; ⅛ cup poblano (seeded and diced); 1 small jalapeño (seeded and diced); ¼ cup white onion (diced); 1 tablespoon cilantro; ½ cup tomato (diced); ½ lime (juiced); pepper (to taste)

10 minutes

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By: Julie Blanner15 Comments
Posted: 7/14/20

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Velveeta Cheese Dip is the perfect appetizer for any event! This Velveeta dip is made with Velveeta cheese, fresh cream, and fresh vegetables including diced tomatoes, poblano and jalapeño peppers, onion, cilantro, and lime. Velveeta Queso is quick and easy to make and ready to serve in 10 minutes!

I’m on a dip-kick. In fact, I almost always am. It’s such a great appetizer or snack and easy to serve. Even better, it’s always a crowd pleaser. This Velveeta Cheese Dip is so creamy – with a twist!

A hand reaching into a bowl full of Velveeta cheese dip, chips surrounding the bowl.

Originally published January 2015, updated with fresh content and details October 11, 2021.

After sharing my copycat recipe for apple chipotle vinaigrette I thought it was time to share another one of my Chevy’s (and childhood) favorites – Chevy’s chili con queso. I have been addicted to this stuff since high school. It is so creamy with just the right amount of zest.

Unlike most Velveeta dip recipes, this dip doesn’t use taco seasoning or canned Rotel diced tomatoes. However, if you’re in a pinch, you can use Rotel or canned green chiles. It’s truly up to you.

Of course you’re also going to need a killer margarita to go with your queso.

You can make this dip on the stovetop in minutes or you can make it in a slow cooker on low to save time. You can even keep the slower cooker on warm and serve it right out of the pot for an informal setting. Don’t forget to stir it regularly.

One of the most amazing this about Velveeta Dip is that it’s always a crowd pleaser. It’s also the perfect appetizer for any event and season!

We make Velveeta Cheese Dip for family games nights, Christmas parties, Super Bowl Sunday, Cinco de Mayo and more!

A white bowl on a marble surface, full of velveeta queso dip.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

Quick and Easy
A Fresher, Upgraded take on the Classic
Crowd Pleaser
Excellent Leftovers

A white bowl full of cheese dip surrounded by tortilla chips.

What is Velveeta?

Velveeta is technically a cheese product, as it’s not considered a real cheese by the FDA.

While Velveeta was originally made with real cheese, it’s now produced with whey protein concentrate, milk, milk protein concentrate, fat, and preservatives. While it might sound unappetizing to think of it in those terms… it’s actually delicious in an old-fashioned kind of way!

The original Velveeta and Rotel cheese dip debuted in the 70s, and was a huge success at tailgates and holiday parties.

Velveeta is high in fat, sodium and calories and low in nutritional value. That means it’s a once-in-a-while food in our house, but one that we occasionally use for the throw-back appeal. Healthy or not, it’s delicious when used correctly!

Restaurant queso is generally not made with Velveeta, but it’s often another version of processed cheese. It might be a higher quality, but it’s quite similar.

Velveeta Cheese Dip Ingredients

Fresh herbs and green chilis all add the kick this Velveeta Cheese Dip needs! This dip recipe is a blend of Velveeta, a hint of fresh cream, fresh diced tomatoes, a variety of peppers, onion, cilantro and lime.

Marble surface, with a block of Velveeta cheese and queso ingredients surrounding.

Velveeta – A smooth cheese that when melted has a wonderfully creamy and lump free texture.
Heavy Cream – Cream adds a wonderfully flavor and creamy texture. Substitute with milk in a pinch.
Poblano Pepper – This Mexican green chili adds more flavor than heat.
Jalapeño Pepper – Jalapeños are slightly hotter than poblanos and bring the heat to this dip. Be sure to dessed them or the dip can be too hot.
White Onion – I love the tang that the white onion brings. Dice it finely so that it’s not too overpowering. You can substitute yellow onion if you prefer.
Cilantro – Cilantro brings a wonderful freshness to this dip. If you don’t like cilantro, you can simply eliminate it.
Tomato – Some diced tomatoes bring some acid to the cheese dip to cut through the creaminess and add texture in each bite.
Lime Juice – Use fresh squeezed or 100% real lime juice to give the dip great consistency.
Black Pepper – I like to add just a little black pepper to really help all of those flavors come alive!

Variations

Add Meat – For the meat lovers in your life, add ground pork sausage, ground beef (beef taco meat) or chorizo.
Rotel – Use a can of rotel with green chiles and spices instead of the other ingredients in this recipe.

How to Make Velveeta Cheese Dip

Prep – Chop and dice ingredients.
Combine – In a saucepan over low heat, combine cheese, cream and vegetables. Stir until smooth.
Finish – Stir in the lime juice and fresh cracked pepper to serve.

Serving Suggestions

As a Dip – Tortilla chips or veggies.
As a Topping – Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and fajita bowl, nachos, eggs, Mexican Breakfast Casserole and chili.

The fresh flavor of this warm Velveeta Dip is lends itself to a summer BBQ, and of course, any Mexican fiesta!

Velveeta Dip is most often served with tortilla chips, but you can also serve it with veggies for a carb and keto friendly alternative!

It is also the perfect topping for burritos, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, nachos, and chili. The options are endless. I even have a friend who tops his morning eggs with a bit of this queso recipe!

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I use instead of Velveeta?

Instead of Velveeta in your queso, try sharp or extra sharp Cheddar cheese, American cheese, or Monterey Jack. Shred them fresh and use the same amount of required Velveeta, along with a little bit of heavy cream to give it a creamier melting consistency.

Why is Velveeta not refrigerated?

This cheese product is processed and pasteurized, which results in a long shelf life. Pasteurized cheese comes from pasteurized milk, which lasts much longer than fresh cheeses. Velveeta can last up to eight weeks in the refrigerator after opening.

How do you reheat Velveeta cheese dip?

Using a microwave safe bowl, reheat in 30 second increments until warmed through. Add a little milk or half and half to keep it at a more liquid consistency as it reheats.

You can also reheat over low heat on the stove top, stirring frequently to prevent burning.

To Store

Room Temperature – This Velveeta dip can sit out for up to two hours while serving, but you’ll want to keep it warm in order for it to stay in a liquidy, melted format. Try serving out of a little crockpot or your favorite cast iron piece on the stove.
Refrigerate – IF you find yourselves with leftovers, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to four days. Reheat on the stovetop or microwave.