Authentic Chipotle Queso Blanco Copycat Recipe

My obsession with Chipotle’s Queso Blanco began during a rainy football Sunday when I ducked into the restaurant to escape the downpour. Hungry and cold, I ordered a side of their white queso on a whim. That first warm, creamy bite with hints of peppers and spice was pure comfort in a bowl. I’ve spent months perfecting this copycat recipe, testing it on friends who now request it for every gathering. Unlike jarred alternatives, this recipe uses real, whole ingredients for that signature Chipotle taste.

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What makes Chipotle’s Queso Blanco so good?

Cold dips have their place, yet no one is passing by a warm Queso Blanco from Chipotle to dip their chip into plain old salsa. This white queso recipe draws inspiration from classic Mexican cuisine, incorporating hot peppers and spices. The flavor and creamy texture make this dip irresistible.

It may make the dish super delicious, but those with timid palettes may wonder, is Chipotle Queso Blanco spicy? Relax; the cheese cuts the heat, leaving you with a perfectly balanced bowl of goodness. 

Why you’ll love this Chipotle Queso Blanco recipe 

The magic of this Chipotle Queso Blanco lies in its methodical layering of flavors and textures. By sautéing fresh vegetables before adding dairy components, the recipe develops a foundation of aromatic complexity. The combination of sharp white cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses creates the perfect melt, offering depth of flavor that surpasses single-cheese recipes. Coating the shredded cheese with cornstarch prevents clumping and creates a silky texture. Finally, incorporating both heavy cream and sour cream adds richness while maintaining the signature tangy profile that makes Chipotle’s version stand out from ordinary queso dips.

Chipotle Queso Blanco ingredients

For the Queso Base:

• Yellow onion – Creates aromatic foundation and subtle sweetness
• Poblano pepper – Provides mild heat and authentic Mexican flavor
• Serrano pepper – Delivers controlled spiciness and bright flavor
• Tomato – Adds acidity and freshness to balance the rich cheese
• Garlic – Infuses the queso with essential aromatic depth
• Unsalted butter – Creates the base for sautéing vegetables without adding extra salt

For the Cheese Mixture:

• Sharp white cheddar cheese – Provides tangy flavor and creamy texture
• Monterey Jack cheese – Contributes excellent melting properties and mild flavor
• Cornstarch – Prevents clumping and ensures smooth consistency
• Heavy cream – Creates rich, velvety texture and thins the cheese mixture
• Sour cream – Adds tanginess and authentic Chipotle flavor
• Ground cumin – Delivers earthy, warm Mexican flavor
• Ground chipotle – Contributes smoky heat characteristic of the original
• Salt – Enhances all flavors and balances the dish

Since you will be coating the shredded cheeses in cornstarch, it is best to shred the cheeses yourself.  

How to make Queso Blanco from Chipotle

To prepare Queso Blanco like Chipotle:

1. Dice the yellow onion, poblano pepper, serrano pepper, and tomato into small pieces. Set them aside
2. Mince the garlic and keep it for later. 
3. In a bowl, combine the shredded cheeses with cornstarch and toss to coat. Reserve. 
4. Heat a medium saucepan over a medium flame. 
5. Melt the unsalted butter in the saucepan.  
6. When the butter stops foaming, add the diced hot peppers and onions to the saucepan and season with salt. Stir well to combine.
7. Saute the peppers and onions for two to three minutes until they soften. 
8. Add the minced garlic and chopped tomatoes. Stir well for about a minute until you can smell the garlic. 
9. Pour in the heavy cream and continue stirring until the heavy cream reaches a simmer. Lower the heat. 
10. Sprinkle in a third of the shredded cheese mixture and stir until it melts. Continue adding the cheese in batches. 
11. Stir in the sour cream and serve the queso dip hot.
12. If desired, garnish it with diced tomatoes, green chiles, or cilantro.

Chipotle Queso Blanco Copycat Recipe

Creamy, slightly spicy white queso dip that perfectly replicates Chipotle's famous version using fresh ingredients and authentic flavors.

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Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Keyword: Chipotle Recipes

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Servings: 8

Calories: 371kcal

Author: Stephanie Manley

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped yellow onion
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped poblano pepper
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped serrano pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon diced tomato
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground chipotle
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 8 ounces shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 8 ounces shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup sour cream

Instructions

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, poblano pepper, serrano pepper, and salt. Cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the garlic, tomato, cumin, and ground chipotle. Cook for about 1 minute, until the garlic becomes fragrant.
• Add the heavy cream and bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to low and simmer.
• Sprinkle the cornstarch over the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses. Toss to coat.
• Add the cheese to the saucepan in batches—add a third of the cheese, stir until the cheese has melted, and add the next portion of cheese. When all the cheese has melted, add the sour cream. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or your favorite dippers.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 371kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 33g | Saturated Fat: 20g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 99mg | Sodium: 441mg | Potassium: 115mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1155IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 444mg | Iron: 0.4mg

What to serve with Queso Blanco

Go beyond the dip with these main course meals starring this recipe:

• Quesadilla or Burrito: Make a quick, delicious meal by mixing cooked shredded chicken, ground beef, or chorizo with the Queso Blanco sauce and then as the filling a quesadilla, burrito, or tacos. 
• Mexican Rarebit. Pour Chipotle Queso Blanco over toast for a South-of-the-Border version of a European classic. 
• Macaroni and Queso Blanco. Upgrade your Mac ‘n Cheese game by making Macaroni and Queso Blanco. Just mix cooked elbow macaroni with hot Queso Blanco and serve. 

Storage and Reheating

• Consistency tip – Queso will thicken when cold but thin naturally when heated (avoid adding extra liquid)
• Safety first – Discard any dip that has been served and exposed at room temperature
• Cool quickly – Transfer unserved portions to shallow containers for rapid cooling
• Refrigerator storage – Keep in airtight container for 2-3 days maximum
• Quality check – Always smell before reheating as dairy can spoil quickly
• Single serving reheat – Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each
• Larger portion reheat – Warm slowly on stovetop over low heat, stirring constantly

More copycat Chipotle recipes

• Chipotle Barbacoa
• Chipotle Carnitas
• Chipotle Cilantro Lime Rice
• Chipotle Corn Salsa
• Chipotle Guacamole
• Chipotle Steak Bowl

Favorite dips

• 7 Layer Dip
• Avocado Dip
• Chili’s Skillet Queso
• Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Dip
• Pappasito’s Queso
• Rotel Dip
• Taco Dip

Check out more of my easy dip recipes and get the best restaurant copycat recipes right here on CopyKat.