Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip Recipe
This Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip is a creamy, flavorful blend of white American cheese, green chilies, and spices, perfect for serving warm alongside tortilla chips, tacos, or grilled meats. Easy to prepare on the stovetop, it’s a classic dip with the option to customize with fresh garnishes or protein for a heartier snack.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: About 2 cups of cheese dip, serves 6-8 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ½ lb white American cheese, cubed
- ¼ cup whole milk (plus more if needed for consistency)
- 1 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, drained
- ¼ tsp ground cumin
- ¼ tsp garlic salt
- ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust based on your heat preference)
Optional Garnish & Mix-Ins
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Cooked ground beef or sausage
Instructions
- Melt the Base: Place the cubed white American cheese, whole milk, and unsalted butter into a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently and gently until the cheese fully melts and the mixture turns smooth and velvety in texture.
- Flavor the Dip: Add the drained diced green chilies, ground cumin, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper to the melted cheese mixture. Stir gently to combine all ingredients thoroughly. Taste the dip and adjust the cayenne pepper or add fresh cilantro if desired for more heat or flavor.
- Adjust Texture: If the cheese dip appears too thick, gradually add more whole milk, stirring continuously, until the desired creamy consistency is achieved.
- Garnish & Serve: Transfer the cheese dip to a serving bowl and keep warm. Garnish with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or sprinkle with cilantro. For a more substantial dip, fold in cooked ground beef or sausage. Serve hot alongside tortilla chips, warm tortillas, tacos, or grilled meats for dipping.
Notes
- Use whole milk for the creamiest texture; skim or low-fat milk can alter the consistency.
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on your preferred spice level.
- The dip can be kept warm in a slow cooker or warm oven if serving at a party.
- For added flavor, fresh cilantro can be stirred in or used as garnish.
- Make it vegetarian by omitting the optional meat mix-ins.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and reheat gently on the stovetop or microwave, stirring often.
Keywords: Mexican cheese dip, white American cheese dip, creamy cheese dip, green chili cheese dip, party dip, appetizer cheese sauce
