Island Queso Cheese Dip

‘Island’ Queso Cheese Dip

This fancy little Queso Cheese Dip is everything you love about creamy, dreamy queso — with an added twist or two! Sweet pineapple and colorful peppers are combined with creamy cheese and tangy jalapenos to create a uniquely flavorful, snackable, dip-able, drizzle-able queso cheese dip that everyone will love!

Post updated – May 2021: This recipe has been in my personal repertoire since 2012 when I was planning a beachy, island-themed office gathering.

I had a “vision” in my mind for something a little different. I wanted my queso to be colorful and have some kind of a tropical twist to match the theme of the gathering. It needed to be quick and easy to make, had to go well with a variety of pot luck pairings, and it had to last all day in a crock pot.

I played around with recipes until I came up with a good consistency, and then I began “tropical-izing” it.

My research efforts paid off, and this recipe was a huge hit at the party! Although this recipe makes (about 5 cups), it was all gone in just over an hour. I had several requests for the recipe that day, and several more followed in the coming weeks. My queso cheese dip became known as ‘Island Queso Cheese Dip’ and was requested for every gathering after that.

Queso Cheese Dip with a little heat and a little sweet!

The recipe has changed over the years to include more pineapple (because, you can never have too much pineapple in my opinion!), and more colorful peppers. The red cracked pepper was eventually added because we like a little heat with our sweet, and it brought the perfect balance to this wonderfully addictive queso cheese dip!

There are a million queso cheese dip recipes out there – many call for heavy cream, butter, etc. There are a lot of opinions about the kinds of cheeses needed for authentic queso cheese dip too. This recipe has no illusions of being “authentic,” but it’s definitely unique!

It’s the kind of thing that, when you first taste it, you immediately wonder what the “twist” in flavors is. And then you take another bite, and another, and then you’ll be carving it again and again.

Looking for more ideas?

Check out my on-going list of SAUCES, SEASONINGS, SPICES and SPREADS !

Other Ways to Serve this Island Queso Cheese Dip

This Queso Cheese Dip is, of course, wonderful served with a big bowl of tortilla chips. Go ahead and drizzle it on your favorite tacos too. We also enjoy it is as a sauce with grilled chicken, pineapple and veggies!

I marinate boneless, two large skinless chicken breasts for an hour or so (covered and refrigerated) with about 1/3 cup pineapple juice (from canned pineapple in pure juice – no sugar added), a couple tablespoons of olive oil, and salt & pepper to taste. In a separate bowl, mix together fresh or jarred jalapeños, red onions and sweet mini peppers with the rest of the pineapple and juice. Grill, bake, or pan fry the chicken and veggies. Serve over rice (I used brown rice here) with plenty of Island Queso Cheese Dip. Garnish with fresh cilantro or flat leaf parsley, and the reserved chopped peppers.

This makes a great spread for sandwiches and wraps, too!

The Island Queso Cheese Dip (or Sauce!) recipe may sound a little odd, but trust me… It works! Don’t be tempted to use other kinds of cheese here – I’ve tried several combinations, and this is the best I’ve found. The mixture will look a little clumpy and watery at first. Just  heat, mix, and repeat – per the instructions – until it’s smooth and fabulous. And then, as always…

Enjoy!

5 from 2 votes

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Island Queso Cheese Dip

This Island Queso Cheese Dip recipe adds a tropical twist to classic queso. Sweet pineapple and colorful peppers are combined with creamy cheese and tangy jalapenos to create a uniquely flavorful, snackable, dip-able, drizzle-able queso cheese dip that everyone will love!

Cuisine Appetizers, Dips &amp, Sauces

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 25 minutes

Servings 5 cups

Author Michele Phillips, BaconFatte.com

Ingredients

• 1¼ pounds white American cheese chopped
• ¾ cup crushed pineapple drained – juice reserved (I used Dole Pineapple in 100% pineapple juice)
• 1/3 cup pineapple juice
• 1/3 cup pickled jalapenos , finely-chopped (I used Mezzeta deli-sliced tamed jalapeno peppers)
• 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno juice
• 2/3 cup whole milk
• 1/3 cup colorful sweet mini peppers or bell peppers , finely-chopped
• Crushed red pepper flakes – a pinch or two or more, to taste (optional)
• *Reserve some of the chopped jalapenos and sweet peppers for garnish.

Instructions

1. In a glass, microwave safe bowl (six+ cup capacity), add all of the ingredients and stir a bit to combine.

2. Microwave on high for two minutes, and then stir well. (Mixture will seem watery at first, but it will all melt/mix together.)

3. Microwave for another minute, and stir well again. Repeat microwaving one minute and mixing well two or three more times until all cheese is completely melted and mixture is smooth and creamy. Only 5 – 7 minutes of microwave time is needed in total, but make sure to heat and mix in stages as suggested rather than heating all at once.

4. To Serve: Garnish with reserved chopped jalapenos and sweet peppers, and an extra pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional). Island Queso Cheese Dip will thicken as it cools. Use a covered 5+ cup crock pot to keep warm for an extended period of serving time.
5. Serve with a variety of tortilla chips, crackers and fresh veggies. Drizzle over nachos, or add this queso dip as a sauce on fish, chicken or pork tacos, burritos, and sliders.
6. Refrigerate any leftovers in a tightly covered container. Microwave for just a minute or two to reheat.

Recipe Notes

*You can find it in the deli department of most grocery stores.

*Monterey Jack cheese does NOT work.

*Make sure to use pineapple with 100% pineapple juice – not heavy syrup – so your queso isn’t overly sweet.

*Use a rubber spatula to stir and scrape the sides of the bowl while melting the cheese.

Let me know if you make this Island Queso Cheese Dip recipe!

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