Queso Recipe: The Popular Dip Now Made Healthy
When you’re looking for an ooey, gooey Tex-Mex snack, look no further than queso. There’s something about all the melty goodness that makes it irresistible for dipping chips or veggies into, spreading onto a homemade burrito or even sneaking spoonfuls of solo.
While you can order queso at your local Mexican restaurant, you can make your own healthy queso recipe right at home. And I’m not talking about that orange stuff that’s in jars — I’m talking the real deal.
Unhealthy Queso Cheese vs. Healthy Queso Cheese
Many queso dip recipes start with Velveeta as its base. The yellow cheese spread might be a classic, but it’s also the classic example of an ultra-processed food that is partly responsible for today’s obesity epidemic, as these types of foods now take up to 60 percent of the average person’s intake!
Indeed, it’s not great for our bodies. For starters, it’s not allowed to be called cheese because, technically, it’s not. In fact, the label states it’s a “pasteurized prepared cheese product.” It’s also loaded with preservatives that real cheeses don’t require. Other recipes call for American cheese singles which are’t real cheese, either. Why bother with those imitation products?
And even queso recipes that use real cheddar are often tough on tummies, thanks to all that lactose. So what’s a queso lover to do?
Make this good-for-you queso recipe instead. For starters, we use goat cheddar cheese instead of cow’s milk cheese. Goat’s milk is easier to digest, making it a good choice for people who are lactose sensitive but can’t stand not getting their queso fix.
Adding coconut cream to this queso recipe makes it super smooth; and don’t worry, it won’t taste like coconuts, but it will leave behind a velvety texture. We’ll thicken everything up using a small amount of Paleo flour, and then add the seasonings that will take this cheese dip to the next level: think chopped jalapeño for a spicy kick, smoked paprika, cumin and chili powder. Toss in some diced tomatoes and you have a spectacular queso just begging to be dipped into!
How to Make Queso
If you’re ready to make this yummy dip recipe, let’s get started!
We’ll start by melting the butter over medium-high heat in a saucepan. Add in the jalapeño and stir until fragrant, about 2 minutes.
Next, add in the spices and flour and keep stirring for another 2 minutes. The kitchen will start to smell really good right about now …
Next, reduce the heat to medium and add in the goat milk yogurt, coconut cream, cheese and tomatoes.
Lightly stir it all up until the cheese is totally melted into the mixture. How fantastic does this queso recipe look?
Finally, add the freshly made queso dip to a large bowl. Top it with fresh cilantro, smoked paprika and avocado slices.
Serve alongside chips, toasted pita bread, veggies or just a spoon for an awesome queso dip for move night, game day or anytime the mood strikes!
Total Time
20–25 minutes
Serves
10-12
Meal Type
Dips,
Dips,
Gluten-Free,
Gluten-Free,
Gluten-Free,
Sauces & Dressings,
Side Dishes & Soups,
Snacks
Diet Type
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons grass-fed butter
- 1 jalapeño, seeds removed and chopped
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 2 tablespoons paleo flour blend
- ¼ cup plain goat milk yogurt
- 2 cups full-fat canned coconut cream
- 3 cups shredded goat cheddar cheese
- 2–3 roma tomatoes, diced
- top with fresh cilantro and avocado
Directions:
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
- Add in jalapeño, stirring until fragrant (about 2 minutes).
- Add in spices and flour and continue to stir for 2 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium and add in yogurt, coconut cream, cheese and tomatoes, lightly stir until cheese completely melted into the mixture.
- Serve alongside chips in a large bowl, topped with fresh cilantro, avocado and smoked paprika.
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Can this be frozen?
A lot of these recipes do not tell you about the carbs, fat, and protein, so what the hell good are they if we don’t have this information?
So is Feta cheese the goat cheese you’re referring to or is there another type?
Can i store this in refrigrator?
Thank u
Hi what is the nutrition info on this (calories, fat, carbs, and protein)
What is paleo flour blend? What else can be used instead? Sounds yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
What’s the calorie count vs Velveeta quest?
There are 101 calories per serving. Make sure you are also comparing serving size and the quality of the product as I wouldn’t recommend this brand or similar. Here are some articles about the ingredients in the brand you referenced:
https://draxe.com/nutrition/maltodextrin/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/canola-oil-gm/
I can’t imagine where I would fine goats milk yogurt or goats milk cheddar cheese.
Hi Debbie, you can find goat milk yogurt and goat milk cheddar cheese at your local health food store!
Can’t stand taste of goat milk, what can be substituted?
Hi Kay, you can substitute the goat milk yogurt for sheep milk yogurt. I hope this helps!