By Becky Hardin
Published May 2, 2018
My healthy queso recipe is easy to make and has less fat and fewer calories than my favorite classic queso dip . I made this healthier queso with coconut milk and Greek yogurt to keep things low cal while not sacrificing flavor or texture. This is my favorite healthy Cinco de Mayo appetizer recipe !
This healthy queso is loaded with flavor but light on calories. It’s my go-to guilt-free option when I am craving an amazing cheese dip! The consistency and flavor is similar to a jarred cheese dip you might find at the grocery store, although it’s a bit thinner and I love it served hot.
What’s in This Healthy Queso Recipe?
- Butter: I prefer to use salted butter for extra flavor, but unsalted should work just fine.
- Sliced Jalapenos: I used Old El Paso canned jalapeno slices, but fresh also work.
- Tomatoes: Roma tomatoes are my favorite for dicing.
- Flour: All-purpose flour helps to thicken the dip. I have also successfully used gluten-free all-purpose flour for my celiac friends.
- Coconut Milk: Unsweetened coconut milk helps thin the dip. I prefer the canned kind for a thicker consistency.
- Taco Seasoning : Adds classic Mexican flavor to the dip.
- Cheese: I like Mexican blend, but cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey jack, or any combination of your favorite melting cheeses should work well!
- Cilantro: Adds a pop of freshness and color.
- Greek Yogurt: Thickens the dip further, adding body and tang!
Tips for Success
- Don’t let the milk overheat. Once the milk reaches a boil, immediately reduce to low. Never bring the heat over medium/low past that point. Cheese dip that gets too hot and overcooks can become grainy, and we don’t want that!
- It’s also best to use freshly chopped and shredded cheese, because pre-shredded cheese has ingredients that can make it grainy when melted.
- Always be stirring! As you add in batches of cheese to melt, be sure to whisk constantly to make sure it stays creamy and melts perfectly.
- It’s normal for this healthier queso to harden as it cools, so stir regularly and keep it warm while serving. I like to serve it out of a Crockpot at parties for this reason. After making queso on the stovetop, pour it into a slow cooker, and set it to WARM. This will keep it hot, smooth, and creamy through the whole party.
- I do not recommend freezing queso because it will be too grainy when thawed and reheated.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover healthy queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, I like to add a splash of coconut milk and heat in the microwave in 15-30 second increments, stirring between each increment to make sure it’s fully heated through.
Serving Suggestions
Okay, we have figured out the dip portion of your tailgating or Cinco de Mayo party, but what about the main course?! This healthier queso pairs beautifully with other Mexican favorites like our chicken nachos , chicken quesadillas , or slow cooker pork carnitas ! And don’t forget the skinny margaritas !
5-Star Review
“The queso i’ve been looking for… I cant believe how good it tastes and how incredibly healthy it is compared to the velveeta and rotel i used to make!” -Sara
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
- ▢ 1 tablespoon Old El Paso Sliced Jalapenos diced
- ▢ 2 whole roma tomatoes diced, divided
- ▢ 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (GF also works!)
- ▢ 2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
- ▢ ½ ounce Taco seasoning (½ packet)
- ▢ 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ▢ ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ▢ ½ cup plain Greek yogurt room temperature
- ▢ Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add in the diced jalapeno and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon Old El Paso Sliced Jalapenos
- Toss in half the diced tomato and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Stir in the flour, stirring so that everything is coated and combined. 2 whole roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Quickly after adding the flour, whisk in the coconut milk. Pour it in slowly, whisking constantly until fully added. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Add in the taco seasoning and stir to fully combine. Continue to whisk off and on for 6-7 minutes or until thickened to your liking. 2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk, ½ ounce Taco seasoning
- Increase heat back to medium and stir in the cheese one cup at a time (8 ounces is approximately 2 cups cheese), whisking until smooth in between batches. Stir in the fresh cilantro. 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Turn off the heat and fold in the greek yogurt. It should melt in quickly and fully combine. ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Serve immediately with chips, garnished with more chopped cilantro and the remaining diced tomatoes. Alternately, you can keep warm in a slow cooker until ready to serve. Enjoy! Tortilla chips
Becky’s Tips
- Nutritional information does not include tortilla chips.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Queso Recipes to Try!
Crockpot Queso
Velveeta Queso Recipe (Rotel Dip)
Instant Pot Queso
Poblano Queso
Healthy Queso Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons salted butter (¼ stick)
- 1 tablespoon Old El Paso Sliced Jalapenos diced
- 2 whole roma tomatoes diced, divided
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (GF also works!)
- 2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk
- ½ ounce Taco seasoning (½ packet)
- 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt room temperature
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat until melted. Add in the diced jalapeno and allow to cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. 2 tablespoons salted butter, 1 tablespoon Old El Paso Sliced Jalapenos
- Toss in half the diced tomato and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Stir in the flour, stirring so that everything is coated and combined. 2 whole roma tomatoes, 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- Quickly after adding the flour, whisk in the coconut milk. Pour it in slowly, whisking constantly until fully added. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Add in the taco seasoning and stir to fully combine. Continue to whisk off and on for 6-7 minutes or until thickened to your liking. 2 cups canned unsweetened coconut milk, ½ ounce Taco seasoning
- Increase heat back to medium and stir in the cheese one cup at a time (8 ounces is approximately 2 cups cheese), whisking until smooth in between batches. Stir in the fresh cilantro. 8 ounces shredded Mexican blend cheese, ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
- Turn off the heat and fold in the greek yogurt. It should melt in quickly and fully combine. ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
- Serve immediately with chips, garnished with more chopped cilantro and the remaining diced tomatoes. Alternately, you can keep warm in a slow cooker until ready to serve. Enjoy! Tortilla chips
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include tortilla chips.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
