Easy Qdoba Queso Recipe

For some people, the highlight of any trip to Qdoba Mexican Eats is getting a taste of their mouthwatering queso. If you want to be able to enjoy it anytime, anywhere, check out this Qdoba queso recipe! You can have that creamy, cheesy goodness anytime you want with our Qdoba copycat recipe for their amazing queso!

There is nothing better than walking into the Qdoba Mexican Grill and smelling the electrifying aromas. There are two things that really make your mouth water, though: their signature burritos and Qdoba’s queso. What about that magical queso sauce? I’ll tell you what; it’s absolutely divine!

Qdoba has long been a favorite fast-casual restaurant of mine. I have so many memories of going there during lunch with my friends and splitting an order of their Queso and Chips. I’ve also had many lunches there with my mom over the years, and it’s a place our family loves to go for a fast and delicious dinner. It was the best day ever when Qdoba stopped charging for you to add queso, and I add it to everything (even salads). But my favorite thing to get there is their famous 3-cheese nachos.

Obviously, they are famous for their queso. I’m very much a fan of it, and I think it’s basically blasphemy not to get any when we go. However, I’ve always thought it would be fun to make it at home. I tried a few recipes I found, but they all ended up tasting a little bit bland. So when I took a look at the ingredients, I realized the missing flavor was jalapeno – which is why I have jalapeno juice. It also helped the consistency as well. It’s really what makes this feel like a top-secret recipe.

We’ve made this quite a few times, and it’s always a huge hit. While nothing can truly replicate the amazingness that is Qdoba’s three-cheese queso – this gets pretty close. It is definitely one of the best queso dip recipes around, and I hope that you will enjoy it as much as we do.

Ingredients

• 1 cup white american cheese
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 poblano, roasted, deseeded, and chopped
• 1 cup canned fire-roasted tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup heavy cream 
• 1/2-3/4 cup jalapeño juice (from jar)
• Salt (to taste)
• Black Pepper (to taste)

Instructions

1. Combine cheeses, poblano, fire-roasted tomatoes, and heavy cream in your slow cooker. You could also put it in a large pot on the stove top.
2. Mix together; cook on high for 1.5 hours or low for 2-3 hours. Mix partway through to help get better melted cheese and combination of all the ingredients.
3. If using the stove, cook on low for about an hour, stirring occasionally.
4. After cooked, add jalapeno juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Start with a little bit less jalapeno juice and add more to adjust the flavor to your liking.

Can I make this Qdoba queso recipe dairy-free?

This recipe is very high in dairy. Therefore, I really don’t think there’s a way that you can successfully make this dairy-free and have it be anywhere near what Qdoba tastes like. My friend, Megan, has made a great vegan queso recipe that you could consider if you need a dairy-free recipe.

What size slow cooker do I need for the Qdoba queso recipe?

You could really use just about any size. I doubled the recipe recently for my 6-quart slow cooker, and it filled up about half of it. You could get a smaller one that uses that with a smaller amount as well.

Can I make this on the stovetop?

Yes, you can. I would recommend letting it melt and simmer for about an hour on low, making sure to stir it occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the an.

How long does Qdoba queso last in the fridge?

This should stay good in the fridge for about two days, but it’s best to eat it within one day or so because you don’t want the cheese to separate. It will likely be pretty thick after it’s been refrigerated – you can try and think it up with a little milk or chicken broth.

Can I reheat Qdoba queso?

Yes, you can easily reheat this on the stove or microwave! Just warm everything up and stir occasionally and you may need to add some extra liquid. Slowly heading it in a sauce pan on the stove is going to be your best opinion.

How can I make Qdoba queso healthier?

You could try and use half and half instead of the heavy cream. This may change the composition and flavor slightly, but it will help cut back on some of the fat slightly. Speaking of delicious recipes, I’ve been using the Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese recipe for years, and my family absolutely loves it. We all really love it. It’s a comforting and delicious dish that we cherish.

What type of American cheese should I use?

We have only used white American cheese in this recipe. While we prefer shredded white American, it can be hard to find this. You can either buy a block of white American in the deli, or you can just buy the slices with other refrigerated cheeses. We have used both with success in making queso.

How much does Qdoba queso recipe cost?

This recipe costs $7 to make, and you get a ton of servings! It ends up being a fraction of the cost to make it home because you get so much more.

Why are there fire roasted tomatoes in Qdoba queso?

Fire roasted tomatoes are the secret ingredient to this recipe! It gives it that authentic smoky flavor of the original. They’re also really tasty on their own, which is why they’re usually in the ingredients list.

What is Qdoba queso made of?

The main ingredient is white American cheese., which, I know, some people don’t think of as real cheese – but it’s necessary for the recipe. This gives it that cheesy, creamy texture that everyone loves. This dish has fire-roasted tomatoes, poblano peppers, and heavy cream, giving it a rich texture. Top it with some freshly cut tomatoes or fresh cilantro for a little extra flair.

This Qdoba queso recipe is absolutely fantastic! You can try out this creamy and delicious dish in your very own home for a fraction of the price of going to the restaurant. It’s perfect on its own or served with tortilla chips or other Mexican

What should I serve qdoba queso with?

You can either serve this with tortilla chips or spoon it onto tacos, fajitas, nachos, or any other Mexican dish that you might be serving. Burrito bowls would also be a really yummy option. I mean, let’s be honest – every Mexican dish needs the perfect sauce or taco dip, right?

What is qdoba queso sauce?

Qdoba queso sauce is a creamy cheese dip that goes perfectly with tortilla chips! It’s so delicious and tastes just like the queso at the restaurant. You can make it

What can I do to make a spicier version of this?

Qdoba has a diablo queso recipe that is extremely popular. I think it’s too spicy, personally! But if you are looking for some additional flavor, it has a blend of jalapenos and chipotle peppers. You could blend these together in a food processor to add to all the ingredients as it cooks. I have not personally tried this, but I think it be something you could certainly experiment with.

What are some substitutes for this recipe?

I really would try not to change the recipe as much as possible. However, some people like to add a little bit of ground cumin, an addition of cayenne, a little it of lime juice, or even some ground beef to mix things up a little bit.

Tips for making queso dip

One tried and true tip is to shred your own cheese! While not always possible- shredding your cheese helps it melt quicker and easier. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can affect the texture of the queso. Queso is best served immediately while it’s warm and gooey. If it cools and becomes too thick, you can gently reheat it on low heat.

How to store it

Storing homemade queso dip properly is essential to maintain its flavor and texture. 

If you have leftover queso dip, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate it promptly. Place the container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of making or serving the dip.

Allow the queso dip to cool completely before transferring it to the container. 

Reheat the queso dip gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat, stirring frequently. This helps restore its creamy texture.

If the queso dip appears too thick after thawing, you can add a small amount of milk or cream while reheating to achieve the desired consistency.

More Copycat Recipes You May Enjoy:

• The Best Chuy’s Queso Recipe Copycat
• The Best Chick-fil-A Mac and Cheese Recipe (Copycat)
• Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls Recipe
• Instant Pot Copycat Panera Harvest Soup
• Easy Texas Roadhouse Chili Recipe
• Copycat Chili’s Texas Cheese Fries

Everyone loves Qdoba Mexican Grill because of that amazing queso sauce; but now you can make a homemade queso dip at home. All you need is the ingredients and a slow cooker (or even a pot on the stove). Enjoy this anytime you want, and make sure to add all your favorite toppings to this Qdoba Queso Copycat Recipe.