Slow Cooker Queso
Whether it’s a game night or a casual evening with friends, this Slow Cooker Queso is an easy and delicious appetizer that’s sure to be a crowd favorite!
This Slow Cooker Queso post is sponsored by Cabot Creamery, but the recipe and opinions are entirely my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Spiced!
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If you think about it, queso and chocolate chip cookies fall into the same category. If you walk into the kitchen and find a warm batch of chocolate chip cookies on the counter, you’re not gonna be sad about it. Same for queso. Imagine walking into a friend’s house and finding a batch of warm, cheesy queso surrounded by tortilla chips. You’re not gonna be sad about that!
Not only is this Slow Cooker Queso a perpetual crowd favorite, but it’s also incredibly easy to make! With football playoff games and the Super Bowl just around the corner, there are lots of opportunities to get together with friends and watch sports. And gameday parties require queso! (If you’re not into sports, then this queso would be a great option for a board game party, too.)
Slow Cooker Queso
One of the many things I love about this queso recipe is that it relies on simple, high-quality ingredients. Two types of shredded Cabot Creamery cheese. A block of cream cheese. Some salsa, green chiles and seasonings. And a tiny bit of half-and-half to thin the cheese sauce out so it’s the perfect consistency for dipping. The flavor of this Slow Cooker Queso is amazing!
This queso can be prepared in about 5-10 minutes. All of the ingredients get mixed together in a smaller 2-quart slow cooker. Turn it on and walk away. If you happen to be passing through the kitchen, give it a stir occasionally. That’s it. The slow cooker does the work while you get ready for the party!
How to Make Queso
- Queso too thick? Add a splash of half-and-half or whole milk. Start with just a little bit and stir it in. You can always add more, but you can’t take it away!
- Where to find Cabot Creamery cheese? The “secret” to this Slow Cooker Queso is that it uses 2 types of Cabot cheese. Use Cabot’s Product Finder to find these cheeses near you!
- No slow cooker? This recipe is perfect for a smaller 2-quart slow cooker. The slow cooker keeps the cheese dip warm throughout the party…or at least until it’s all gone! If you don’t have a smaller slow cooker, then you can use a larger one and transfer the queso into a bowl for serving. No slow cooker at all? This recipe can be made over low heat on a stovetop, but make sure to stir it often to prevent it from burning!
- Variations! Want a spicier version of this queso? Use Cabot’s Habanero Cheddar instead of the Seriously Sharp Cheddar or Cabot’s Pepper Jack cheese instead of the Monterey Jack. You could also add a bit of cayenne pepper. Maybe add a bit of fully cooked, crumbled ground beef? Another idea would be to mix up the salsa you use. The next time I make this dip recipe, I’m planning on trying it with a hatch green chile salsa – yum!
- Garnishes. While the slow cooker does all of the actual work for this recipe, I do like to add a few garnishes on top before I serve this queso. Some diced tomatoes, a couple of the diced chilies (reserved from the can) and some chopped cilantro should do the trick nicely!
How to Store Leftover Queso
Leftover queso? What’s that? Hah! Seriously though…leftover queso? Not a problem! Just let the dip cool completely and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, place it over low heat on the stovetop until warm or just microwave it, stirring after every 20 seconds.
If you’re a regular reader of this blog, then you know we are huge Cabot Creamery fans around our house. This Slow Cooker Queso is another example of where Cabot’s cheeses make a huge difference in the flavor of a recipe. We always keep several varieties of Cabot cheeses on hand for both snacking and cooking. (If you aren’t familiar with Cabot Creamery, then check them out! The cooperative is owned by the farm families who make Cabot’s products – how cool is that!?)
If you’re looking for a delicious gameday appetizer, then make a batch of this Slow Cooker Queso dip. It’s always a huge hit here in our house – cheers!
Did you make a batch of this queso at home? Leave a comment, or snap a photo and tag me (@Spicedblog) and Cabot (@CabotCreamery) on Instagram – we’d love to see your version!
Slow Cooker Queso
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Cabot Monterey Jack cheese shredded, ~2 cups
- 4 oz. Cabot Seriously Sharp cheddar cheese shredded, ~1 cup
- 8 oz. Cabot cream cheese cut into cubes
- 1 cup salsa
- ¼ cup half-and-half see note
- 1 4 oz. can green chilies, drained
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro plus more for garnishing
- {optional garnish} diced fresh tomatoes
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a 2-quart slow cooker; stir until well combined. (See note.)
- Cook on low temperature for 1-1½ hours, or until cheeses have completed melted. Stir until smooth.
- Garnish top with additional chopped cilantro and/or diced tomatoes before serving.
Notes
Looking for more gameday appetizer recipes? Check out these other favorites, too:
Cant wait to make this soon for me can i use vegan cream cheese i never had slow cooker queso before perfect for snacks love your recipes as always brightens up my day everyday after work
I’m not familiar with the vegan cheese options out there, Ramya, but as long as you choose cheeses that are similar to the ones in the recipe, then I think it’s worth giving it a try! Enjoy! 🙂
David, you just introduced me to a mind blowing taste! Chocolate chip cookies dipped in queso. I’m betting you’ve already tried it.
Great queso recipe.
Hahaha. I’m not sure I want to be known as the guy who introduced chocolate chip cookies dipped in queso to the world. 🙂 I’ll stick with my tortilla chips!
Ok, I tried this weekend, and your right it’s better with tortilla chips.
Butttt, it was a really unique taste with the chocolate chip cookies. I think I’ll try peanut butter cookies next…
Hahaha…”unique” is a nice way to put that one, Ron. I give you credit for trying…and even more credit for doubling down and pushing forward with the peanut butter cookie angle! 🙂
Wonderful queso. I still can’t understand how people can eat velveeta. Other cheeses melt just as well!!!!!
Oh I am with you 100%, Mimi! This queso is so creamy and smooth…perfect for dipping!
I’m cooking Mexican food tonight and a little queso and chips would make a good starter.
Ohhh…this would indeed have been a great appetizer to your meal last night! Heck, a little queso drizzled over tacos or in burritos or over rice would be quite delicious, too. 🙂
so queso is some kind of warm cheese dip? not a thing we have here but it sounds very tasty!
Oh my gosh! Queso is not a thing down there in Australia!? This needs to be fixed. ASAP. I know Cabot isn’t available in your area, but pick similar cheeses and give it a try. Make sure to have some tortilla chips or chopped veggies (broccoli, carrots, celery, etc.) on hand for dipping. Warm bread also makes a good dipper. I mean warm, chewy bread dipped into warm cheese? Can it get any better?? 🙂
I always look forward to some sort of chips and dip on the weekend, so now I know what I’m going to make … this delicious slow cooker queso! It looks so so good, David. All I want right now is a big bowl of queso and a big bowl of tortilla chips to go with. Think this is acceptable for breakfast on a Friday? 😉
Weekends are definitely made for chips and dip! Now that I think about it, we’ve made some sort of dip for the past 3 weekends. Haha! Queso is always a favorite here in our house. And, yes, I think queso for breakfast is absolutely acceptable!
Smart way to keep all that melty cheese melty! Great accompaniment with tortilla chips and cocktail wieners!
Oooo…cocktail wieners is another great idea for dipping into this warm cheesy queso! Thanks, Michelle!
That’s a truly ultimate dip – hearty, rich, and super cheesy. I am not into football playoff games and the Super Bowl, but I’m certainly into this fantastic appetizer!
I totally understand, Ben. You’re in Canada. Up there is curling country! Turn on a curling match and make a big bowl of this queso. 🙂
I’m not a football fan, but I’d happily sit through a game if there was queso like this!
Hey, this queso is great for board game nights at home, too, Jeff! I mean, do we really need an excuse to make cheesy queso? I think not. 🙂
You’ve made a compelling case for queso and chocolate chip cookies being kindred spirits – warm, cheesy goodness and gooey, chocolatey comfort, both guaranteed to make anyone smile.
Haha – thanks, Raymund! For the record, I don’t think the two would go well together…but I’m not going to stop you if you want to dip a chocolate chip cookie into queso!