Instant Pot Queso Dip without Velveeta

A must-have for any game day party, this ultra-creamy, cheesy queso dip is made in the Instant Pot. This easy dip recipe is loaded with real cheese giving you a restaurant-quality dip at home!

And if you are looking for more great game day snacks then check out this Caramelized Onion Dip or these Cheesy Black Bean Nachos.

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For those of us who love cheese, it doesn't get much better than queso dip! Warm, melty cheese is always a crowd-pleaser so you really can't go wrong when you include a cheese dip on your party menu. A dip like this is the perfect addition to any game day, Cinco de Mayo, or really any type of party!

One of the tricks to great cheese dip is keeping it warm, which is where the Instant Pot comes in handy. Since it has a built-in warming feature you can make the dip and then keep it warm all in the same pot.

Why you’ll love this recipe

This recipe is made with real cheese instead of Velveeta. Many queso dips use Velveeta or a similar type of cheese. I think real cheese just gives you a better taste without the processed ingredients.

This recipe is still really easy to make and the addition of evaporated milk means you still get a really smooth and creamy dip. Using an Instant Pot gives you an easy way to keep the dip warm for serving.

Are you ready for the ultimate game day treat? This cheesy dip is just what you need! This is the perfect recipe to add to your game day or entertaining recipe collection. Read on to learn more about how to make this Instant Pot Queso Dip, or jump straight to the recipe to start cooking!

Ingredient Notes

The full list of ingredients and quantities can be found in the recipe card below.

• Evaporated milk: You'll need one 12-ounce can of milk. Using evaporated milk helps to give you a smooth consistency and also makes it easier to reheat the dip if you happen to have any leftovers.
• Cheddar cheese: You'll want to grate the cheese for this recipe so buy a block of cheddar. I recommend using sharp cheddar though mild cheddar can be substituted.
• Monterey Jack cheese: Adding a bit of Monterey Jack gives this cheese dip some extra flavor and creaminess. For an extra kick of spiciness, you could use pepper jack.
• Pico de gallo: I generally buy pre-made pico at the grocery store as I use a lot of it. You can also make your own if you like.
• Cilantro: Fresh cilantro is ideal for this recipe but you could substitute dried if needed though you'll want to reduce the amount used.

How to make this recipe

This cheese dip is a great addition to any game day party. It comes together in just a few easy steps.

Step 1 | Heat the milk. Add the evaporated milk, cornstarch and spices to an Instant Pot set to Saute. Stir to combine then heat until small bubbles begin to form. Keep a close eye on the mixture to be sure it doesn't start to boil.

Step 2 | Add the cheese. Add one-third of the cheese and stir until the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth. At this point, turn the Instant Pot to Warm and then add the rest of the cheese, one-third at a time, stirring after each addition.

Step 3 | Add the seasonings. Once all of the cheese has melted, stir in the pico de gallo and the chopped cilantro.

Step 4 | Serve & enjoy! Ideally, this dip is served straight from the Instant Pot. You'll want to stir it occasionally to keep it smooth.  

More game day recipes

If you are looking for more great ideas for upcoming parties check out these Instant Pot Pulled Pork Sliders, this Swiss Cheese and Mushroom Pull-Apart Bread or this Black Bean Turkey Chili.

Instant Pot Queso Dip

Author: Kathryn | Urban Foodie Kitchen

A must-have for any game day party, this ultra-creamy, cheesy queso dip is made in the Instant Pot making it easy to keep it warm.  

5 from 10 votes

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American

Servings 2 .5 cups

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 12 ounce can of evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon dried minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• 6 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 ounces monterrey jack cheese, grated
• ½ cup pico de gallo
• ¼ cup cup cilantro leaves, chopped

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

 

• Heat the milk.  Add the milk and spices to the Instant Pot and turn on the Saute function.  Cook until the milk starts to form small bubbles at the edges, stirring frequently.  
• Add the cheese. Add ⅓ of the grated cheese to the Instant Pot and stir until the cheese melts.  At this point, turn the IP to the Warm function before you add any additional cheese.  Add the remaining cheese, ⅓ at a time and stirr between additions until the cheese is melted.  
• Add the seasonings.  Once all of the cheese is melted and the dip is smooth stir in the pico de gallo and cilantro.  Serve.   

Keywords : game day snacks, party dips

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This post was originally published in January 2020. It was updated in October 2023 with some new information and photos. No changes were made to the original recipe.