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 for that matter.
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.
Contents:
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!
Recipe ingredients + substitutions
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.
- 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.
- Spices: garlic powder, onion powder, dried minced garlic, ground cumin, sea salt
- Pantry staples: cornstarch
Notes from the kitchen
Just a few notes to ensure success when making this recipe!
- Use freshly grated cheese: Don't use pre-grated cheese as it will not melt as well. Buying a block and spending a few minutes is well worth the effort for a smooth cheese dip!
- Make sure it stays smooth: Two key ingredients for smooth and creamy queso dip that reheats well are evaporated milk and cornstarch.
- Stir well: Be patient when melting the cheese. You want to keep stirring and let the cheese fully melt after each addition.
- Customize it: Get creative with cheese to customize this dip to your taste. You can use just about any type of hard cheese. Want a little more heat? Add some pepper jack. The sky is the limit. The total amount of cheese should be at least 8 ounces but a little more won't hurt either.
- For a larger group: If you are having a lot of guests at your party you can easily double this recipe. Doubling the recipe will still work in the IP mini. More than that and you'll want to use a larger Instant Pot!
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.
Frequently asked questions
Pre-grated cheese is very convenient and is a great option for things like tacos and quesadillas where you need just a bit of cheese but unfortunately, it typically contains some preservatives that help keep the grated cheese from clumping the bag. This can cause your melted cheese to turn lumpy and harden up quickly so I highly recommend taking the time to grate your own for this recipe or any recipe where you are making a cheese sauce.
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.
I don't often have leftovers when I make this dip, but if you do, it will reheat nicely in the microwave. Put it in for about 30 seconds on high then stir and continue to heat in 20 second increments until smooth and warm. You can also put it back in the Instant Pot or in a crockpot to reheat it.
Recommended Tools
Instant Pot - Since I mostly cook for one or two people I have a 3-quart Instant Pot, which is the perfect size for this dip.
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.
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Instant Pot Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 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
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.
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.
Ben says
Boom! Now I can have queso whenever I want. This recipe is so fast.
Danielle says
I was missing a good dip this season, and here it is - just what I need. So cheesy and creamy - perfect for my favorite corn chips. And great tip on being patient while melting the cheese - so true 🙂
Amanda says
I love that this queso cooks in the Instant Pot! I usually make my queso on the stove and didn't even realize the Instant Pot was an option. This will be perfect for Super Bowl!
Denise says
This looks quite addicting! This will be made for my next get together for sure.
Amy @ Two Healthy Kitchens says
I looove queso! When I say I'm in the mood for Mexican, I actually mean that I'm in the mood for queso! 😀 Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe!
Jenni LeBaron says
The second I saw this recipe my initial reaction was YAAS! This was made for me! This Instant Pot queso looks out of this world delicious. I can't wait to serve it for game night!
Mikayla says
My mom got an instant pot for Christmas and we whipped this up for the game last weekend, totally delicious, it was gobbled up and super easy to make!
Alena says
I’ve been looking for a reason to break out my new instant pot and there’s no better reason than this. This is going to be a hit on game day!
Jo says
Now that is the dip recipe I need to try ASAP. It looks delicious and so easy to make with instant pot. Can't wait to try this.
Natalie says
Oh wow... this looks so GOOD! My husband will flip when I make him this. He's such a fan of cheese dips. Absolutely delicious and so easy to make!
Urban Foodie Kitchen says
Enjoy!!