Name: Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: ½ lb white American cheese, cubed; ¼ cup whole milk (add more if needed for consistency); 1 Tbsp unsalted butter; 1 4 oz can diced green chilies, drained; ¼ tsp ground cumin; ¼ tsp garlic salt; ⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust based on heat preference); Diced tomatoes; Sliced jalapeños; Cooked ground beef or sausage

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

This Mexican Restaurant Cheese Dip is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for any gathering. It blends smooth white American cheese with spicy green chilies and warm spices, creating a velvety dip that’s irresistible with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos.

A close-up image showing a woman's hand dipping a large yellow corn chip into a creamy, smooth layer of light orange cheese dip with small green herb bits scattered throughout. The cheese dip fills a shallow large round white bowl with a dark rim, slightly textured edges can be seen. The background features a white marbled texture that is blurred, with hints of red and green colors from small diced toppings just visible in the cheese near the chip. A small piece of broken chip lies on the wooden surface below the bowl. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ lb white American cheese, cubed
¼ cup whole milk (add more if needed for consistency)
1 Tbsp unsalted butter
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies, drained
¼ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp garlic salt
⅛ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust based on your heat preference)

Optional Garnish & Mix-Ins:

Diced tomatoes
Sliced jalapeños
Cooked ground beef or sausage

Instructions

Step 1: Place the white American cheese, milk, and butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until the cheese is fully melted and the mixture becomes smooth and velvety.
Step 2: Add the diced green chilies, cumin, garlic salt, and cayenne pepper. Stir gently until all ingredients are well combined. Taste and adjust cayenne or add cilantro if desired.
Step 3: If the dip is too thick, slowly add more milk while stirring until you reach your preferred consistency.
Step 4: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl and keep warm. Garnish with diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, or a sprinkle of cilantro. For a heartier dip, stir in cooked ground beef or sausage. Serve hot with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or alongside tacos and grilled meats.

Tips & Variations

Use white American cheese for the best creamy texture and authentic flavor.
Adjust the cayenne pepper to make the dip milder or spicier according to your taste.
For a smoother dip, shred the cheese before melting instead of cubing.
Add fresh cilantro on top for a bright, herbal note.
Mix in cooked chorizo or spicy sausage for a meaty variation.

Storage

Store any leftover cheese dip in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently over low heat, stirring frequently, and add a splash of milk if needed to restore the creamy consistency.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with creamy cheese dip that is light yellow with visible small pieces of red, green, and orange ingredients mixed throughout, creating a speckled texture. Some of the melted cheese is stretching as a spoon lifts a chunky scoop from the bowl. Around the bowl, there are many yellow tortilla chips with black specks. The setting has a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of cheese?

White American cheese gives this dip its classic texture and flavor, but you can substitute with mild cheddar or Velveeta for a similar creamy melt. Avoid cheeses that don’t melt smoothly.

How do I keep the dip warm during a party?

Keep the cheese dip warm by setting the serving bowl over a warm water bath or using a small slow cooker on the low setting to maintain its creamy texture without drying out.