Costa Vida Queso Recipe
The Costa Vida Queso Recipe is a rich, creamy cheese dip inspired by the popular Tex-Mex favorite served at Costa Vida.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cups freshly shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 can 4 ounces diced green chilies, drained
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Optional Toppings
- Chopped cilantro
- Diced tomatoes
- Sliced jalapeños
- Green onions
- Crumbled cotija cheese
Instructions
Melt The Butter
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
Make The Roux
- Whisk the flour into the melted butter and cook for one minute until smooth.
Add The Milk
- Slowly pour in the milk while whisking continuously to prevent lumps.
Add The Cream
- Stir in the heavy cream and continue cooking until the mixture begins to thicken.
Add The Seasonings
- Mix in garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt and black pepper.
Reduce The Heat
- Lower the heat to prevent the cheese from overheating.
Add The Cheese
- Gradually stir in the cheddar and Monterey Jack until completely melted.
Add The Green Chilies
- Fold the diced green chilies into the melted cheese mixture.
Stir Until Smooth
- Continue stirring until the queso becomes silky and creamy.
Taste And Adjust
- Add more salt or spices if desired.
Garnish
- Top with cilantro, tomatoes, jalapeños or green onions.
Serve Warm
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips or your favorite Tex-Mex dishes.
Notes
- Shred cheese fresh for the smoothest texture.
- Cook over low heat to prevent curdling.
- Add diced jalapeños for extra spice.
- Stir frequently while serving.
- Use pepper Jack cheese for more heat.
- Add cooked chorizo or seasoned ground beef for a hearty dip.
- Thin the queso with a little warm milk if needed.