Chile con queso usually known simply as queso, is an appetizer or side dish of melted cheese and chile pepper typically served in Tex-Mex

Tex-Mex cuisine

"Tex-Mex" is a term used to describe a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico. The cuisine has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern...

 restaurants.

Background

Chile con queso (also spelled chili con queso) is a part of Tex-Mex

Tex-Mex cuisine

"Tex-Mex" is a term used to describe a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico. The cuisine has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern...

 and Southwestern cuisine

Cuisine of the Southwestern United States

The Cuisine of the Southwestern United States is food styled after the rustic cooking of the Southwestern United States. It is also known to be very popular in the west coast state of California...

, originating in Texas as a version of Queso chihuahua and Queso flameado

Queso flameado

Queso flameado is a dish of hot melted cheese and spicy chorizo that is often served flambé. Often compared to cheese fondue, it is a party dish; it is popular at cookouts and in restaurants as an appetizer...

 from Northern Mexico. Chile con queso is predominantly found on the menus in Tex-Mex restaurants across Texas. However, authentic Texan-style chile con queso has been mentioned since at least the 1950s in newspaper articles from states such as California

California

California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

 and has appeared on restaurant menus in Washington, DC.

Ingredients

Chile con queso is a smooth, creamy sauce, used for dipping, that is made from a blend of melted cheeses (often Velveeta

Velveeta

Velveeta is the brand name of a processed cheese product having a taste that is identified as a type of American cheese with a texture that is softer and smoother. It was first made in 1918 by Swiss immigrant Emil Frey of the Monroe Cheese Company in Monroe, New York. In 1923, The Velveeta Cheese...

, Monterrey Jack or cream cheese

Cream cheese

Cream cheese is a soft, mild-tasting, white cheese with a high fat content. Traditionally, it is made from unskimmed milk enriched with additional cream....

), cream, and chili peppers. Many restaurants serve chile con queso with such added ingredients as pico de gallo

Pico de gallo

In Mexican cuisine, pico de gallo , also called salsa fresca, is a fresh, uncooked condiment made from chopped tomato, white onion, and chilis...

, black beans, guacamole

Guacamole

Guacamole , is an avocado-based dip that originated in Mexico. It is traditionally made by mashing ripe avocados with a molcajete with sea salt. Some recipes call for limited tomato, spicy Asian spices such as white onion, lime juice, and/or additional seasonings.-History:Guacamole was made by...

, and ground beef or pork.

Serving

Chili con queso can be eaten with tortillas, tortilla chips, or special queso chips which are thicker than regular tortilla chips. It can also be used as a condiment on fajitas, tacos, enchiladas, migas, quesadillas or any other Tex-Mex dish.

Chile con queso is a warm dish, heated to a desired temperature.

Tex-Mex restaurants usually offer tortilla chips and salsa as appetizers, free of charge. Chile con queso is usually offered for an additional charge. It can be made with various cheeses. Usually it is white or yellow in color.

While chile con queso is called "queso" by Texans, it should not be confused with "cheese dip," which is specifically cheese.

New Mexican style

New Mexican chile con queso often includes either green or red chiles.

See also

• Enchirito
  Enchirito
  Enchirito is the trademarked name of Taco Bell's menu item of the Tex-Mex food similar to an enchilada. It is composed of a flour tortilla filled with seasoned ground beef taco meat , beans, diced onions, cheddar cheese, and "red sauce".-History:The Enchirito was invented in 1968 by Bob McCrea, who...
  
  
• Fajita
  Fajita
  A fajita is a term found in both traditional Mexican cuisine and in Tex-Mex cuisine, commonly referring to any grilled meat served on a flour or corn tortilla. The term originally referred to the cut of beef used in the dish which is known as skirt steak. Popular meats today also include chicken,...
  
  
• Tex-Mex cuisine
  Tex-Mex cuisine
  "Tex-Mex" is a term used to describe a regional American cuisine that blends food products available in the United States and the culinary creations of Mexican-Americans influenced by the cuisines of Mexico. The cuisine has spread from border states such as Texas and those in the Southwestern...
  
  
• Queso Chihuahua
• Queso flameado
  Queso flameado
  Queso flameado is a dish of hot melted cheese and spicy chorizo that is often served flambé. Often compared to cheese fondue, it is a party dish; it is popular at cookouts and in restaurants as an appetizer...