Copycat Torchy’s Tacos Green Chile Queso Recipe
Torchy’s has the best queso recipe and if you love it as much as I do, you have to try this Torchy’s Taco queso copycat recipe! This simple home version of the fan favorite queso was developed in a side by side taste test in my own kitchen. It is full of spicy, cheesy goodness, green chile flavor and can be made in 20 minutes. This recipe is easier than you think and tastes just like the real thing. It’s the prefect party dip, appetizer, or topping for tacos. No matter when you make it, this delicious copycat queso is always a crowd pleaser. The only challenge is stopping at just one bite! Full recipe card below.
This post contains affiliate links. Please see myĀ privacy policyĀ for more information.
What is Torchy’s Queso Dip?
To answer this question I first need to tell you about Torchy’s in case you have never been to one. Torchy’s Tacos is a fast casual restaurant and bar that started in Austin, Texas and now has locations in fifteen US states. They specialize in tacos and other Mexican sides and offer a rotating taco of the month.
Like many Mexican restaurants they offer chips and the most amazing queso as a starter. When I first tried their queso I was instantly hooked! Unlike many queso recipes, this one doesn’t taste like processed cheese, it’s full of flavor, it’s actually spicy, and it has avocado! Talk about a bonus. When I tell you I can eat this queso with a spoon, I am not joking. Not only do they have damn good tacos but they have damn good queso and even a hillbilly queso option with chorizo. So as a dedicated foodie and recipe developer, I set out to make it on my own, because you know those small cups just aren’t enough!
Ingredients
To achieve a true copycat version of this fan favorite cheese dip there are some specific ingredients you will need to use. I tested this multiple times and did a side by side taste test with my final recipe to ensure it was a true copycat.
American CheeseĀ – Rumor has it the secret recipe to Torchy’s queso actually uses Land O Lakes American Extra Melt cheese. Unfortunately this is a commercial product that is not sold at the grocery store but via food supply stores. While it is available on Amazon, it is sold in 5lb blocks and is a bit pricey. As a result, I found a different way.
For this recipe I used Boar’s Head yellow American cheese that I bought at the deli at my local Kroger store. I highly recommend using real cheese here. Cubes of American cheese or shredded cheese will combine the best. I have seen a lot of copycat recipes but many of them use Velveeta, cheddar cheese, or cream cheese. While I am not against any of these cheeses in general, I don’t think they are the best choice here. Real American cheese yields a very different flavor and will taste much more like the real deal.
Salsa – According to a leak from an employee on Reddit, the real recipe uses salsa roja which I also had a hard time finding. So I settled on a fire roasted medium red salsa which ended up being a very good alternative. The roasted tomatoes gave it the smoky flavor like the salsa at Torchy’s. I do think it is vital to color of the queso to stick to red salsa. While salsa verde could add good flavor, it will make the queso muddy in color and will not look like Torchy’s version.
Green Chiles Ā – One of the spice aspects in this hot queso dip is green chiles. I used canned but you could use fresh if you have them. The flavor of the green chiles adds a little acidity and heat to the queso.
Cayenne PepperĀ – The first time I made this recipe I did not add any cayenne and it definitely felt like it was missing something. Adding a little bit of cayenne gave it the kick of spice it really needed to be a true copycat recipe.
MilkĀ – You will need a small amount of milk to thin out the dip a little. I used 2% but I also tested this with heavy cream. When I tested it the first time with the cream, it tasted similar but it made the queso substantially thicker and this should be a very loose queso. I recommend sticking to 2% milk or lower here.
Butter – When making any sauce, butter is commonly the starting point. I used 1 tablespoon of real unsalted butter combined with the milk to start the sauce.
Hot SauceĀ – Torchy’s queso recipe uses their diablo sauce to top the cheese dip with a drizzle of the hot sauce. The closest version of diablo sauce I have found is Valentina hot sauce. While the color of Valentina is a bit darker than the diablo sauce, they taste almost identical.
AvocadoĀ – The real Torchy’s Tacos queso recipe uses a small scoop of guacamole in their cheese sauce. And while I love guacamole just as much as the next person, I didn’t feel like it was necessary to make a full batch. I simply added a scoop of fresh avocado and it had very little impact on the flavor.
CilantroĀ – I chopped fresh cilantro to garnish the top of my dip and I recommend you do the same. Real cilantro brings a fresh element to the dip that you will not have without it. In my opinion dried cilantro tastes nothing like real cilantro and should be avoided.
Cotija CheeseĀ – The real version of Torchy’s queso is garnished with small pieces of cotija cheese on the top. I feel like this adds very little to the overall flavor and can be skipped if you don’t have it. Or you can use queso fresco, feta cheese, or parmesan for the closest substitutes.
Cooking the Queso
I know a lot of people will want to make this in the slow cooker. But in my opinion, the order to which you add the ingredients has a big impact on the consistency of the queso. When you add a bunch of ingredients to a crockpot and just turn it on, they do not combine in the same manner. And for that reason I highly recommend making this on the stovetop. You can always transfer it to the slow cooker to keep it warm.
* Note to my readers. I strive to bring home cooks reliable recipes you can count on. Every recipe on this site is tested and made by me personally in my own kitchen and given to my harshest recipe tester critics for invaluable feedback. This site does not review its own recipes or participate in paid reviews nor does it purchase recipes and photos from third parties. Photos are taken of each recipe and not artificially generated. All reviews are real trustworthy reviews and if you make a recipe and have feedback, please feel free to contact me.Ā
Print
Copycat Torchy’s Tacos Green Chile Queso Recipe
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 1 Cup 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Torchy’s has the best queso recipe and if you love it as much as I do, you have to try this Torchy’s Taco queso copycat recipe! This simple home version of the fan favorite queso was developed in a side by side taste test in my own kitchen. It is full of spicy, cheesy goodness, green chile flavor and can be made in 20 minutes. This recipe is easier than you think and tastes just like the real thing. It’s the prefect party dip, appetizer, or topping for tacos. No matter when you make it, this delicious copycat queso is always a crowd pleaser. The only challenge is stopping at just one bite!
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Unsalted Butter
- 2 tbsp Milk
- 1 cup Yellow American Cheese shredded (see notes above)
- 1/8 cup Canned Green Chiles
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1/4 cup Fire Roasted Red Salsa
- 1 scoop Fresh Avocado
- Valentina Hot Sauce
- Fresh Cilantro for garnish
- Cotija Cheese for garnish
- Tortilla Chips
Instructions
- In a medium sized pot, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium-low heat.
- Once the butter is almost completely melted, whisk in milk and reduce to low heat.
- Once the butter and milk are combined, slowly whisk in cheese. This works best with shredded cheese since it melts faster. Add only about a tablespoon of cheese at a time and stir until completely combined. The cheese melt should not be rushed or boiled to keep it smooth.
- After the cheese is fully combined, slowly whisk in the green chiles and cayenne until combined.
- Next, slowly whisk in the salsa until combined. Again, low and slow is the name of the game here.
- Simmer on low heat for an additional 6-8 minutes stirring regularly. DO NOT allow the sauce to boil.
- Add to a serving bowl and top with a line of Valentina sauce, a scoop of avocado, fresh cilantro, and a sprinkle of cotija cheese.
Equipment
Notes
Controlling the heat on the stovetop is the most important thing when making hot queso. It should be watched closely the entire time.
I do not recommend making this in a slow cooker.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 15
- Category: Dips
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American, Tex-Mex, Mexican
Storage
Leftover Torchy’s queso can be stored in the fridge for 4 days in an airtight container.
Reheating
Once the queso cools, the cheese will begin to solidify. To reheat the queso, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30 second intervals stirring in between. If the queso is too thick add a small splash of milk to thin it out.
When to Make Copycat Torchy’s Queso
This easy copycat recipe is the perfect dip for game days, Cinco de Mayo, a Super Bowl party appetizer, or simply a tasty snack. This delicious cheese dip is always a crowd pleaser the whole family will love! You can even use it to top tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, or breakfast burritos. You will think you are dining at a Torchy’s Tacos restaurant.
Looking for more easy copycat recipes? Try my copycat Chuy’s jalapeno dip, Kraft copycat chipotle aioli, Texas roadhouse butter, Crumbl sugar cookies, or Root Down curry lime fry sauce.
Love new recipes and kitchen talk? Subscribe so you never have to ask what’s on the menu. Delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox š Plus you will receive access to all my free printables! These are only available to my awesome subscribers as my way of thanking you for your continued support!
Did you enjoy this Copycat Torchy’s Tacos Green Chile Queso Recipe ? Hover over an image and save toĀ Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on social media Instagram,Ā Pinterest,Ā TikTokĀ orĀ FacebookĀ I would love for us to be friends!
Did you love this recipe? Give it a five star rating and Tag @garrison.street.eats on Instagram and hashtag it #garrisonsteats
This post, Copycat Torchy’s Tacos Green Chile Queso Recipe, appeared first on Garrison Street Eats.
