Kimchi Queso

Need a little more adventure in your life!?! Give this kimchi queso a try! It’s quick and simple to prepare, the perfect combination of flavors and textures, and is both vegetarian and gluten-free.

Jessica Halverstadt is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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What you’ll love about this recipe

• It’s simple! Homemade queso dip is extremely easy to prepare so skip the store-bought stuff with all the added preservatives and make it yourself. There is very little prep involved and the cooking time is under ten minutes. I call that WINNING!!
• The combination of flavors! This ain’t your standard queso. It’s so much more. The addition of the kimchi adds a pop of flavor to this creamy dip and the most magnificent bit of crunch. The heavenly combination of textures and flavors will leave you longing for more.
• It’s dietary restriction friendly! One might think that all queso dips are gluten-free but that is not the case. Often times flour is used as a thickening agent. For this kimchi dip, I chose to skip the flour for two reasons. Firstly, to avoid the grainy textural issues that flour can cause and secondly, to keep it gluten-free. Additionally, it is vegetarian.

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Ingredients (+ notes & substitutions)

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• Butter: I use unsalted butter for this recipe. Since it does not call for much, however, you may use salted butter – the saltiness will not overwhelm you.
• White onion: This aromatic is a must for flavor and texture.
• Jalapeno: For more heat, leave the seeds and membranes intact. For even more heat, sub for a serrano.
• Ground black pepper
• Kosher salt
• Kimchi: There are many varieties of kimchi that you are welcome to experiment with. I typically use a standard mild or hot kimchi. In the grocery store, it is typically refrigerated within the produce section.
• Garlic: Another necessary aromatic.
• Milk: The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups, however, you may find that you need or want to thin it out a bit – in that case, you may need to add a bit more milk.
• Cream cheese: The cream cheese makes this gluten-free queso nice and creamy and acts as a thickener so you can skip the flour. Allowing it to soften to room temperature prior to use is recommended so that it will melt easier and incorporate without clumps.
• Cheese: A milder white cheese like pepper Jack or Monterey Jack allow the flavor of the kimchi and other ingredients to shine through. I recommend purchasing block cheese and finely shredding it yourself to avoid the additives as they have a tendency to alter the texture and prevent it from melting properly.
• Roma tomato: For a little freshness.
• Cilantro: The perfect finishing touch to this queso, cilantro adds fresh citrusy notes.

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How to make kimchi queso (+ tips)

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1. Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Once melted, add the onion, jalapeno, black pepper, and salt and sauté for three minutes. Add the kimchi and garlic and sauté for an additional minute.

2. Add the milk and cream cheese and stir frequently until the cream cheese is fully melted and incorporated.

3. One handful at a time, add the cheese and stir until melted. If at any point it begins to boil, reduce the heat by one-quarter.

4. Remove from heat, stir in the tomatoes and cilantro, and serve warm with chips or veggies. ***If the queso is too thick add milk 1/4 cup at a time until desired consistency is reached.

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Storage

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Freezing is not recommended.

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Recommended Products

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More queso recipes you may like:

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• Hatch Chile Queso Bean Dip: Ultra-creamy bean dip + hatch chile queso, this hatch chile queso bean dip is perfect for a crowd, takes only 20 minutes, and is a great way to take advantage of hatch chile season. Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian.
• Three Cheese Queso: The perfect addition to any Mexican meal, this quick and easy three cheese queso dip is prepared from scratch with cheddar, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese. Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free.

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More recipes featuring kimchi:

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• Spicy Kimchi Queso: A fresh twist on a classic, this quick and easy spicy kimchi reuben is layered with corned beef, a spicy mayo kimchi mixture, and pepper Jack cheese.
• Miso Egg Drop Soup w/ Kimchi: Umami rich, this miso egg drop soup with kimchi is brimming with flavor and is incredibly simple to prepare in less than 15 minutes. Naturally gluten-free w/ vegetarian option.

If you make this kimchi queso dip I’d love your feedback. Please leave a comment and/or a rating below as I greatly value your opinion. Or snap a pic and tag me on Instagram @taoofspiceblog. Love, light, and happy cooking ya’ll ♥