Mexico Chiquito Cheese Dip Recipe

Mexico Chiquito is a synonym for irresistible Mexican takeout, including their cheesy quesadillas, fajita nachos, juicy carnita tacos, and their signature Chiquito enchiladas.

If you’re a fan of Mexican cuisine, we already know you have Mexico Chiquito on your speed dial, and you don’t miss the chance of ordering a side of their incredibly delicious cheese dip.

With this copycat Mexico Chiquito cheese dip recipe, you can replicate their famous queso dip at home and get the exact same flavors and texture.

Without further ado, let’s jump right into the cheese dip recipe!

How to make Mexico Chiquito cheese dip

This Mexico Chiquito cheese dip is one of those side dishes you can pair with pretty much any dish, as it is extremely versatile.

It is also extremely easy to make, and you probably already have all the necessary ingredients in your fridge and pantry.

We’d also say that the recipe is very beginner-friendly, so your expertise when it comes to making homemade dips isn’t really a factor.

Once you try this cheesy dip recipe, we’re quite sure it will become a regular side dish on your personal menu.

What makes this Mexico Chiquito cheese dip so special is the unique blend of spices, which is also the essential component of this dish.

Yet another important element of this dip recipe is the roux made from melted butter and flour, which provides that recognizable rich, thick texture of the dipping sauce.

Ingredients:

(4 servings)

• 1/2 lb Velveeta cheese
• 1/2 stick unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• 1 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp chili powder (preferably dark)
• 1 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp cumin
• salt (to taste)

Instructions:

Step 1:

Grab a small saucepan, preferably a heavy-bottom one, and put it over medium-high heat.

Add in the butter and allow it to melt, making sure to adjust the temperature if needed so it doesn’t burn and stick to the bottom of the pan.

Step 2:

Once the butter has melted completely, set the heat to medium-low and start adding the flour.

It is necessary to keep stirring or whisking the mixture as you’re adding the flour, or it will burn.

You also want to keep stirring until the butter and the flour are fully blended together.

Step 3:

Once this flour and butter mixture, also known as a roux, is ready, it is time to pour in the milk.

You want to continue stirring or whisking the mixture as you’re adding the milk, which will allow for all the components to blend together, and the mixture to thicken up.

Step 4:

Once you notice the sauce is thickening up, it is time to add all the listed spices and ketchup and give the sauce a good stir before adding in the cheese.

Add the grated cheese into the roux and spice mixture, and keep stirring.

If you notice that the sauce is a bit too thick, you can add a bit more milk.

Make sure to add a little bit of milk at a time, as you don’t want the sauce to be too runny.

Once the shredded cheese has completely melted and you’ve achieved the desired consistency, the cheese dip is ready.

Serve it warm, as it will thicken up considerably once it cools down.

Ingredient substitutions

What we love about this melted cheese recipe is that you can adapt it to your own cooking style by implementing your favorite ingredients, and still get a delicious, thick homemade queso dip.

Take a look at our list of perfect substitutes for the key ingredients of this Mexico Chiquito cheese dip recipe.

1. Vegetable oil

In case you don’t enjoy butter in your homemade dips, you can always make the roux by mixing vegetable oil and flour.

This swap shouldn’t affect the texture, nor the flavor of this cheese dip too much, as you’ll obtain the rich, milky aroma from the milk anyway.

However, keep in mind that you should use neutral-flavored vegetable oil such as sunflower oil in this kind of recipe, as you don’t want the aroma of the oil to be too dominant.

2. American cheese

This processed cheese may not be one of the highest quality options, but it can certainly replace Velveeta cheese when it comes to texture, aroma, and flavor – which is all you need for a perfect cheese sauce.

Therefore, if you’re all out of Velveeta cheese but need a replacement that melts beautifully and combines well with other ingredients of this cheese dip, American cheese is a quick and easy solution.

3. Cheddar cheese

Cheddar cheese is a higher quality alternative to Velveeta than American cheese, and it is also quite easy to implement into your cheese sauces.

Depending on the variety and maturity, cheddar cheese is usually sweet, but also slightly pungent and earthy.

Opt for white cheddar if you’d like an off-white, cream-colored sauce, or use yellow cheddar for a bright yellow hue and a sharper, pungent taste.

4. Cream cheese

In case you’d like to use cream cheese instead of Velveeta, keep in mind that you’ll need to add a bit more butter and flour to make more roux.

Cream cheese won’t create the same texture as Velveeta and other melted cheese types, so you will have to mimic this consistency by creating a thicker base for the sauce.

5. Diced tomatoes

Instead of adding ketchup to your homemade cheese sauce, you can choose to go for a chunkier texture by adding diced tomatoes.

The veggie component will also brighten up the flavors and add more complexity to the dip.

6. Cornstarch

Cornstarch can be a good replacement for all-purpose flour in your roux, whether you try to avoid using wheat flour or you simply find cornstarch to be more convenient.

Remember to use a whisk to create a nicely blended, lump-free base of melted butter and cornstarch for your sauce.

What to serve with Mexico Chiquito cheese dip

This cheese dip is one of the most convenient, versatile dipping sauces you could make, whether you want to serve it with snacks, Mexican food, or any other type of cuisine.

Tortilla chip

Can you think of a better snack than homemade Mexico Chiquito cheese dip and tortilla chip?

A side of warm, cheesy, gooey Mexico Chiquito dip is a fabulous choice whether you’re combining it with your favorite tortilla chip brand, or you’re making snacks from scratch, as well.

Taquitos

Crispy taquitos are simply meant to be enjoyed with a side of dipping sauces, and this homemade queso dip is a perfect choice.

Taquitos, also known as flautas, are ideal for a mid-day snack, or a quick dinner if you’re craving something crunchy – especially when paired with a cheesy dip.

We also recommend serving hot salsa in addition to the cheese dip for a striking contrast of flavors and aromas.

Grilled veggies

This Mexico Chiquito dip is all you need to elevate your grilled veggie dish and add the much-needed depth of flavor.

It is also a perfect solution if you find your veggies to be too dull and bland, and you need a sharp-flavored, creamy sauce to complete the dish.

Macaroni

This cheese sauce could also be used as a base for your mac and cheese, especially if you prefer the sauce to be on the thicker side.

Keep in mind that you may have to adjust the amount of the ingredients for the sauce, depending on how much pasta you intend on adding.

You may also need to add a bit more milk and cheese to get the desired texture.

How to reheat Mexico Chiquito cheese dip

As we’ve mentioned, this cheese sauce should be served warm, as it will thicken up significantly once it cools down.

Here’s how you can reheat your leftover Mexico Chiquito cheese sauce to get the perfect dipping sauce texture.

How to reheat Mexico Chiquito cheese dip on the stovetop

Transfer the leftover cheese sauce into a saucepan and put it over medium-low heat.

It is important not to use high heat as the sauce will stick to the bottom of the pan and burn.

Add a splash of water or milk to thin out the sauce and get the desired consistency.

Stir the sauce constantly and let it heat up for a few minutes, or until you’re satisfied with the temperature.

How to reheat Mexico Chiquito dip in the microwave

Add the leftover sauce to a microwave-safe bowl.

If the sauce has thickened up, add a splash of water or milk, then stir the sauce to combine the ingredients.

Microwave on high in short intervals (20-30 seconds) until you’re satisfied with the result.

How to store Mexico Chiquito cheese dip

Before storing the cheese dip in the fridge or the freezer, allow it to cool down completely at room temperature.

Store in the fridge

Place the leftover cheese sauce in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge for no longer than 6 days.

Store in the freezer

The cheese sauce can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

Transfer the leftover sauce to an airtight container and ensure that the lid is properly sealed.