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How To Make Torchy’s Tacos Damn Good Queso Dip (Copycat)

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This Torchy’s copycat queso is the perfect dip for any get together.

It’s super easy and so damn good!

The first time Torchy’s Tacos came into my life was while visiting very good friends that had recently moved to Houston.

I fell in love with the Austin-based taco chain! Now, anytime I visit them or my niece in McKinney, Texas, a trip to Torchy’s is a must.

So when I recently read that Torchy’s Tacos is opening it’s first Florida location in St. Petersburg, you can only imagine how excited I was! It’s only about a 20 minute drive for me.

If you live in the Tampa Bay area and you love Mexican food, you have to check out Torchy’s.

They offer a wide range of unique Tex-Mex fare. From breakfast tacos to their infamous Trailer Park Taco and Hillbilly Taco.

A few of their dips include Torchy’s green chile queso, Torchy’s hillbilly queso, and hot queso dip.

White large bowl with cubed yellow cheese, bowl with red salsa, bowl with guacamole, bowl with diced green chilies, bowl with crumbled white cheese, bowl with evaporated milk, and fresh cilantro. All items are on a gray surface.

Ingredients For Torchy’s Tacos Queso Recipe (Copycat)

  • Velveeta cheese
  • Evaporated milk (see FAQ’s)
  • Canned green chiles – diced
  • Fire roasted salsa (see Substitutions)
  • Queso fresco cheese (you can find this in the refrigerated section of the grocery store or an International produce store).
  • Fresh cilantro – chopped
  • Guacamole – store bought or homemade)
  • Hot sauce (Torchy’s hot sauce if you can find it. If not, use your favorite one).
  • Tortilla chips
There is a large white shallow bowl with a small white smaller bowl in the center. There are purple triangular chips laying around the small center bowl.There is a creamy light orange cheese sauce in the small center bowl with crumbled white cheese and finely chopped green leaves of cilantro. The large white bowl is on a wood surface.

I started experimenting with trying to duplicate Torchy’s queso dip recipe a couple of years ago when I had a craving for it that just wouldn’t go away!

Like all great dishes, Torchy’s version is a secret recipe but I think this copycat recipe comes pretty close!

Now, I know my version is a short cut but there are times I’m in need of an easy delicious appetizer on the fly.

If you have the time to roast Roma tomatoes, green chiles and Jalapeno peppers that is perfect but most days I don’t.

How To Make The Best Queso Dip

Chunks of yellow cheese, salsa, milk and diced green chilies all together in a stainless steel bowl.

3 Easy Steps

  • Cut the Velveeta cheese into small pieces.
  • Combine all the ingredients in a large sauce pan and cook over medium heat until the cheese has melted.
Small gold ceramic bowl with a scoop of guacamole in it. Bowl is on a gray surface.
  • Place a scoop of guacamole in the bottom of a small serving dish.
  • Pour the cheese sauce over the guacamole, drizzle some hot sauce on top of the queso.
  • Sprinkle with crumbled fresco cheese and chopped cilantro and serve warm.

Substitutions:

  • Instead of Velveeta cheese use real cheese like a combination of white American cheese and cheddar jack cheese or pre cut cubes of American cheese.
  • If you don’t have or can’t find fire roasted salsa at your local grocery store, pico de gallo or regular salsa will work. Although there is something about the green chile flavor mixed with the roasted tomatoes and roasted garlic that is the queso’s main secret, so try to use fire roasted salsa.
  • Instead of queso fresco cheese you can use shredded cheese (Mexican blend or a cheddar).
There is a white dish that is three bowls connected and has a handle. In one bowl there is a creamy cheese dip with crumbled white cheese on top. In the second bowl there is a red chunky sauce (salsa) in it. In the third bowl there is a creamy green mixture (guacamole) in it. In the background there is a large white bowl with purple triangular chips in it. Items are on a black marbled surface.

Helpful Suggestions:

  • This queso recipe is great when you have a football party.
  • I double the recipe and instead of putting it all in one large serving bowl, I use a few smaller bowls and place the bowls in a couple of places around the food table. That way, everyone can enjoy the little scoop of guacamole at the bottom of the dip!
  • You don’t have to wait for a party to enjoy this cheese dip, cut the recipe in half and serve it on taco Tuesday with your favorite taco and black beans.

If you are looking for other great dips for your next party, check out these from Back To My Southern Roots: 10 Potato Chip Dip Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Queso Dip?

Yes, you can freeze queso dip. Let the queso get to room temperature and transfer to an airtight container. Store in freezer for up to three months.

How Can I Take Queso Dip To The Next Level?

Step up your queso dip by adding cooked ground sausage, chili (canned or homemade), or cooked taco meat for a hardier dish!

What Can I Use Instead Of Evaporated Milk With In Queso Dip?

There are a variety of dairy products you can use instead of evaporated milk in queso dip:

  • Regular milk (low fat or 2%)
  • Heavy cream
  • Half and half
  • Powdered milk

Looking For More Easy And Delicious Appetizers Or Snacks For Your Next Party?

Check Out These Other Easy And Delicious Recipes!

Yield: 6 servings

How To Make Torchy's Tacos Damn Good Queso Dip (Copycat)

Small gold ceramic bowl with melted cheese dip in it. There is hot sauce and white cheese on top of it. There is a wooden bowl with tortilla chips in it in the background. Both bowls are on a piece of burlap sitting on a gray surface.

This Torchy's copycat queso is the perfect dip for any get together. It's super easy and so damn good! Melted cheese, fire roasted salsa, and green chiles blended together.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 5 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces Velveeta cheese
  • 2-1/2 tablespoons evaporated milk
  • 8 ounces fire roasted salsa
  • 2-4 ounces canned green chiles - diced (use 4 ounces if you like more heat)
  • 1/4 cup queso fresco cheese (you can find this in the refrigerated section of the grocery store or an International produce store).
  • 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro - chopped
  • 1/2 cup guacamole (divided between 2 small serving bowls)
  • Hot sauce - optional (Torchy's hot sauce if you can find it. If not, use your favorite one).
  • Tortilla chips

Instructions

  1. Cut the Velveeta cheese into small pieces.
  2. Drain the green chiles.
  3. Combine all the ingredients in a large sauce pan and cook over medium heat until the cheese has melted.
  4. Place a scoop of guacamole in the bottom of a small serving dish.
  5. Pour the cheese sauce over the guacamole.
  6. Drizzle some hot sauce on top of the queso.
  7. Sprinkle with crumbled fresco cheese and chopped cilantro and serve warm with tortilla chips.

Notes

Substitutions:

  • Instead of Velveeta cheese use real cheese like a combination of white American cheese and cheddar jack cheese or pre cut cubes of American cheese.
  • If you don't have or can't find fire roasted salsa at your local grocery store, pico de gallo or regular salsa will work. Although there is something about the green chile flavor mixed with the roasted tomatoes and roasted garlic that is the queso's main secret, so try to use fire roasted salsa.
  • Instead of queso fresco cheese you can use shredded cheese (Mexican blend or a cheddar).

Helpful Suggestion:

This best queso recipe is great when you have a football party. I double the recipe and instead of putting it all in on large serving bowl, I use a few smaller bowls and place the bowls in a few places around the food table. That way, everyone can enjoy the little scoop of guacamole at the bottom of the dish!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

Mar

Thursday 24th of August 2023

I’m excited to try the recipe! Can you tell me how much of the fire roasted salsa you used?

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Friday 25th of August 2023

Hi Mar! Thank you so much for asking about the fire roasted salsa! A big OOPS on my end. I had completely left it out!! About 8 ounces per 16 ounces of Velveeta cheese. If you like a little less heat, scale back some on the salsa. Let me know if you make it! Cheers! Laura

Sophie

Tuesday 13th of June 2023

Hi this looks great and totally going to attempt but I don’t see the fire roasted salsa on the ingredient list or in the directions? Just unsure on the amount needed.

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Wednesday 14th of June 2023

Hi Sophie! I didn't include the fire roasted salsa in the post. I haven't attempted to make it yet! There are some really good store bought salsa you can try. I always serve it on the side in a small bowl or ramekin. Let me know if you make them, they are so delicious!! Best, Laura

Kira

Saturday 14th of January 2023

Love Torchy’s queso! This looks so easy and yummy to make!

Laura @ Join me in the Kitchen

Monday 16th of January 2023

Hi Kira! You won't believe how easy it is to make. Watch out, it's addicting! :)

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