National Queso Day
National Queso Day, celebrated every September 20, is a tribute to the creamy, cheesy delight known as queso, a staple of Tex-Mex cuisine. Short for "chili con queso," this warm, gooey dip combines melted cheese with chili peppers, often served with tortilla chips or as a topping for tacos and nachos.
If you have not yet tried this dip, you are truly missing out!
Here's A Simple Queso Recipe
Ingredients (Serves 4-6)
- 8 oz Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese, shredded (or a mix)
- 4 oz processed cheese (like Velveeta), cubed
- 1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Ro-Tel)
- 1/2 cup milk or cream
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
Optional: diced jalapeños or green onions for extra kick
Preparation
- In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the processed cheese with milk, stirring until smooth.
- Gradually add shredded cheese, stirring constantly to avoid clumping.
- Stir in diced tomatoes with chilies, chili powder, and cumin. Heat through for 5-7 minutes.
- If desired, add jalapeños or green onions for garnish.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips or fresh tortillas. Keep it warm in a slow cooker for parties.
Pro Tip: For a smoother texture, use a double boiler or add a pinch of sodium citrate to emulsify the cheese.
Origin and History
Queso, meaning 'cheese' in Spanish, traces its roots to Mexico, likely emerging in the 19th century or earlier. The earliest recorded recipe, published in 1896 in The Land of Sunshine magazine, was called "chiles verdes con queso" (green chilies with cheese), emphasizing chilies over cheese.
While traditional Mexican queso fundido uses cheeses like Chihuahua or asadero, the Tex-Mex version popularized in the U.S. often relies on processed cheese like Velveeta, introduced in 1918, for its meltability. By the 1930s, Ro-Tel’s canned tomatoes with chilies sparked a queso dip craze, cementing its place in American cuisine.
Though its exact origins are debated, queso’s evolution reflects a blend of Mexican and American culinary traditions, particularly in Texas border towns like San Antonio and El Paso.
How to Celebrate National Queso Day
Time for a Queso Tasting Party
Invite friends or family and set up a queso bar with different types- classic cheddar, spicy jalapeño, smoky chipotle, white queso, and even vegan queso. Add toppings like salsa, guac, chorizo, and cilantro so everyone can mix and match.
Movie Night With Queso
Turn movie night into a queso feast. Make a giant queso platter with chips, soft pretzels, and veggies for dipping, then binge-watch your favorite comedies or food-themed movies (think Chef or Nacho Libre).
Support Local Restaurants
Celebrate by ordering queso from a local Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant. Many places run queso specials on National Queso Day, so you can show support and enjoy cheesy goodness without cooking.
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