Low Carb Queso Recipe! (2024)

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Net Carbs:3

20 minutes minutes

Karly Campbell

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"This recipe is amazing! Everyone loves it and I’m going to make a double batch to make 2 (1qt) jars! May make this to can and give as Christmas gifts Even my 5 year old granddaughter loves it and cannot get enough. I serve it with zero carb tortillas that I cut, fry in olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Thank you!!!" – Amanda Faleski

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This KETO QUESO DIP is the perfect snack! We serve it up with all kinds of low carb options (keep reading for ideas!), and we love to drizzle it over low carb burrito bowls and tacos!

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (1)

Here I am again, with more Mexican inspired goodness!

Can’t stop, won’t stop.

The past couple of months have brought you keto salsa and keto guacamole. It only seemed right that I round things out with some keto queso!

This low carb queso is smooth, creamy, and incredibly cheesy! It’s easy to customize – make it more or less spicy, skip the onions, etc.

Once you have the basic cheese sauce ratio down, you can really make this dip however you like!

How to:

Melt some butter in a skillet and then stir in some onion, jalapeno, and cumin.

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (2)

Once the veggies have softened up, add in a block of cream cheese along with some cream and water. Let them melt together and get nice and creamy.

Stir in some cheddar and Monterey jack. We prefer to shred our own cheese – it melts more smoothly because it doesn’t have any starch on the cheese to keep it from sticking.

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (3)

Once the cheese is smooth and melted, we like to top our queso off with a bit of pico de gallo. Store bought is fine or you can make your own. Shall I share my recipe for that too? 🙂

A big scoop of guacamole would also be tasty!

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (4)

What to dip in low carb queso dip:

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  • Low Carb Tortilla Chips (see below)
  • Keto Zucchini Fries
  • Pork Rinds
  • Quest Chips
  • Whisps
  • Low Carb Crackers
  • Celery Sticks
  • Cucumber Slices
  • Mini Peppers
  • Cauliflower Tots
  • Mexican Meatballs
Low Carb Queso Recipe! (5)

To make low carb tortilla chips, start with a couple of low carb flour tortillas. Cut into triangles using a pizza cutter, spritz with oil spray, sprinkle with salt, and bake until crispy!

More low carb snacks:

  • Bacon Cheeseburger Bombs
  • Jalapeno Popper Meatballs
  • Keto Veggie Dip
  • Keto Jalapeno Poppers
  • Keto Spinach Dip
  • Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Not in the mood to cook? I feel you.

I rounded up some of the best low carb snacks to buy and compiled them into one easy list!

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (6)
Follow me on social for more recipe ideas & inspiration!

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (7)

Recipe

Keto Queso

This keto queso is perfect for dipping your favorite low carb snack, but we also like to drizzle it over a low carb burrito bowl or dunk grilled chicken in it!

4.50 from 72 votes

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Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1/2 medium onion finely chopped
  • 1 medium jalapeno minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup water
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 8 ounces shredded cheddar
  • 4 ounces shredded Monterey jack

Instructions

  • Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat.

  • Stir in the onion, jalapeno, and cumin and cook for 3-5 minutes, or until vegetables have softened.

  • Add the cream cheese, heavy cream, and water to the pan and cook, stirring constantly, over medium heat until the cream cheese has melted, about 5 minutes.

  • Reduce heat to low and add the shredded cheese a handful at a time, whisking constantly, until all of the cheese has been added and the sauce is smooth and creamy.

  • Add additional water as desired to reach the consistency you prefer.

Tips & Notes:

We like to top our queso with pico de gallo before serving.

You can add extra jalapeno to make this spicier or skip it altogether to keep it more mild.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 0.25cup| Calories: 298kcal (15%)| Carbohydrates: 3g (1%)| Protein: 10g (20%)| Fat: 28g (43%)| Saturated Fat: 17g (106%)| Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g| Trans Fat: 1g| Cholesterol: 82mg (27%)| Sodium: 523mg (23%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Net Carbs: 3g (6%)

Author: Karly Campbell

Course:Staples

Cuisine:Mexican

Keyword:keto queso, low carb queso

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  • Low Carb Breakfast Ideas

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  • Keto Buffalo Chicken Dip

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (12)

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review

    • Karly Campbell says

      The onion and cream both contain sugar.

      Reply

  1. Amanda Faleski says

    Low Carb Queso Recipe! (13)
    This recipe is amazing! Everyone loves it and I’m going to make a double batch to make 2 (1qt) jars! May make this to can and give as Christmas gifts Even my 5 year old granddaughter loves it and cannot get enough. I serve it with zero carb tortillas that I cut, fry in olive oil, and sprinkle with sea salt. Thank you!!!

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      I’m so glad you enjoy the recipe so much! Thanks, Amanda!

      Reply

  2. Rachel says

    Delicious! I left out the onion and jalapeño and it’s awesome!

    Reply

  3. Megan says

    What is the serving size for this queso??

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      Per the nutrition information in the recipe card, the serving size 1/4 cup.

      Reply

  4. Shannon says

    Love this recipe! Creamy and didn’t disappoint my non-keto son. I added some diced chiles but think next time, I will load up on more jalapeños. Definitely making again and added to my bookmarks.

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      Love to hear that! Thanks, Shannon!

      Reply

  5. Olivia says

    Is it 3 carbs per serving 3 carbs for the whole batch?

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      The nutrition information is per serving.

      Reply

  6. Susan Englerth says

    I modified the recipe for convenience and a smaller quantity.
    3 Tbs heavy cream
    1 Tbs water
    2 ounces cream cheese
    3 ounces shredded Colby Monterey Jack cheese
    1/4 cup Rotel tomatoes
    Pinch of cumin
    2 tablespoons canned green chiles
    1/4 teaspoon onion powder
    Combine cream water and cream cheese in a saucepan over low heat. Break up cheese with a whisk and heat until smooth. Add cheese and melt to combine. Add all other ingredients. Heat through.

    Reply

    • Sally Anderson says

      Thank you for this! I just made your version and it’s perfect (and the perfect portion for 1-2 people).

      Reply

  7. Dorene says

    How long can you refrigerate left overs for?

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      It should be good for 4-5 days.

      Reply

  8. Michelle says

    Hi Karly,
    Do you use mild or sharp cheddar cheese for this dip?
    Thanks in advance,
    Michelle

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      Either works fine, whatever flavor you like best. We pretty much always use sharp cheddar.

      Reply

  9. Marlene says

    Can I use all Monterey cheese?

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      Yes, that should be fine.

      Reply

  10. Linda says

    This was absolutely WONDERFUL!!! We all LOVED it! Since there’s only three of us here, do you know if I can freeze the left overs? We’ve had it two nights in a row (YUM!) but still have some left and I just can’t throw it away!

    Reply

    • Karly Campbell says

      Hi Linda! I’m not sure how this one would freeze. My gut tells me it will get a little funky, but I don’t know for sure. I’m so glad to hear you like the recipe though! 🙂

      Reply

  11. Angela says

    Pinning and can’t wait to make it. Sounds delicious! Thanks

    Reply

Low Carb Queso Recipe! (2024)

FAQs

Can you eat queso on keto diet? ›

For 2 ounces Chipotle Queso, there are 4 grams of carbs and . 5 grams of fiber. That means Chipotle Queso has net carbs of 3.5 grams for 2 ounces meaning it is not bad for Keto dieters if you eat it in moderation.

How many net carbs are in queso? ›

Queso fresco (Mexican white cheese) (1 ounce) contains 0.8g total carbs, 0.8g net carbs, 6.8g fat, 5.1g protein, and 85 calories.

Why put evaporated milk in queso? ›

Evaporated milk works best in queso because it doesn't have that excess of water and it can help your dip reach a delicate balance between super thick and too thin. (As in you're not constantly having to alternate between adding more milk and then more cheese.)

How do you make homemade queso less thick? ›

Add all the other ingredients to taste. If the dip is too thick, add more milk; if it's too thin, add more cheese. Eat it with tortilla chips.

What cheese is not allowed on keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

Does Mexican queso dip have carbs? ›

El Terrifico Tamale Co White Cheese Dip, Mexican Restaurant Style (2 tbsp) contains 2g total carbs, 2g net carbs, 7g fat, 4g protein, and 80 calories.

What is the lowest carb cheese? ›

Got cheese has the lowest carb content out of all varieties. It contains zero carbs while supplying you with 8 grams of fat and 6 grams of protein per 1-ounce serving.

Does queso have a lot of carbs? ›

1 serving of queso dip (Applebee's) contains 334 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 9% carbs, 69% fat, and 21% protein. This is a good source of proteins (32% of your Daily Value), calcium (42% of your Daily Value), and vitamin a (26% of your Daily Value).

What is the best cheese for keto? ›

Parmesan cheese is keto-friendly because it has a low net carb count and a high-fat content. It only contains 3.22g of net carbs per 100g serving. It's also minimally processed and free of harmful ingredients like highly refined oils and sweeteners.

What makes queso taste like queso? ›

If you're wondering what is queso made of, you needn't look much further than the name. It's mostly cheese. Beyond that, there is usually tomato, onion, and jalapeños or chiles for some added heat. Add in evaporated milk and cornstarch for thickening, and viola!

Is Velveeta real cheese? ›

Though Velveeta is no longer an FDA-defined genuine cheese, it does have some similarities, namely pasteurized milk and cheese culture.

What does cornstarch do in queso? ›

Cornstarch — this helps thicken the homemade queso, making it perfect for dipping! Evaporated milk — make sure to buy evaporated milk and not sweetened condensed milk. The two cans look similar but are different. Evaporated milk help keeps the dip from separating and turning clumpy as it cools.

Will milk make queso thinner? ›

To make a thinner cheese dip, you can add more milk a little bit at a time until you reach the desired consistency. This is great scooped up with some tortilla chips, but it is also great for making nachos or burritos!

Does milk make queso thicker? ›

Making a slurry with cornstarch and cold milk is how you will thicken your queso. A traditional slurry is a 1:1 liquid to cornstarch ratio, but for our queso purposes I used 1 tablespoon of cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of milk.

What can you substitute for heavy cream in queso? ›

The Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
  1. Half-and-Half and Butter. A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. ...
  2. Milk and Butter. ...
  3. Evaporated Milk. ...
  4. Coconut Cream. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Greek Yogurt and Milk. ...
  7. Soy Milk and Olive Oil.
Mar 30, 2022

Is queso high in carbs? ›

1 serving of queso dip (Applebee's) contains 334 Calories. The macronutrient breakdown is 9% carbs, 69% fat, and 21% protein. This is a good source of proteins (32% of your Daily Value), calcium (42% of your Daily Value), and vitamin a (26% of your Daily Value).

Is there any Mexican food that is keto friendly? ›

All the same, if you're eating at a Mexican restaurant in the United States, you may need to avoid high carb ingredients like tortillas, rice, and beans. At home, you can make many keto-friendly variations on Mexican dishes, including ceviche, fajitas, carne asada, and carnitas.

Can you eat Mexican cheese on keto? ›

Even though queso is keto friendly, we recommend you save it for the entree. It tastes amazing as a dip for chicken or pork.

Can you eat chips and queso on keto? ›

Since the keto diet has a strict limit on carbs (only about 30 grams per day), that means no tortillas or chips (corn or flour), starchy vegetables (corn and potatoes), rice, beans or anything that might have hidden flour or sugar in it, like queso and salsa that's cooked.

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