• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Hot Rod's Recipes
  • Browse Recipes
  • How-To
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • How-To
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Videos
    • How-To
    • About
    • Subscribe
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Dips, Spreads & Aioli

    Copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco

    Published on January 12, 2020 - Updated on January 16, 2023 by Chef Rodney - 6 Comments - This post may contain affiliate links.

    710 shares
    Jump to Recipe
    There is nothing better on game day than this Copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco dip. Who doesn't like hot melted cheese? Ready in 30 minutes!
     
    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    When it comes to appetizers, specifically dips, this Copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco is my favorite. Delicious white melted cheese with just a hint of spiciness.

    onion jalapeno in saucepan

    I usually use a can of petite diced tomatoes when I make this recipe. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood to chop veggies. If you do take the can route as I do, make sure you thoroughly drain the juices before adding them to the cheese mixture. I like to let the tomatoes sit in a colander over paper towels for a good 15 to 20 minutes.

    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    🌶 How to Handle Hot Peppers

    The capsaicin in hot peppers is what makes peppers hot. If you handle hot peppers gloveless, it’s a guarantee that you’re in for a nasty case of chili burn, both on your fingers and anywhere you rub. Like your face. Ouch!

    Even if you wear disposable gloves, be careful about what you touch. The gloves are going to protect your fingers, but touching any part of your body with the gloves after you’ve handled hot peppers can lead to severe chili burn. Resist the temptation to rub your eyes. Wait until you’ve removed your gloves and washed your hands thoroughly with soap.

    fresh jalapeños
    Fresh Jalapeños

    🌡️ How Hot are the Peppers

    The Scoville Scale is the measurement that tells you the spiciness of a given type of pepper.

    Pepper TypeScoville Rating (Heat)
    Bell Pepper0-0
    Banana Pepper0-500
    Poblano Pepper1000-1500
    Jalapeño Pepper2500-8000
    Serrano Peppers10,000-25,000
    Manzano Pepper12,000-30,000
    Tabasco & Cayenne30,000-50,000
    Habanero Pepper100,000-300,000
    Ghost Pepper855,000-1,000,000
    Carolina Reaper1,500,000-2,300,000

    Applebee's is a Grill + Bar restaurant chain focused on casual dining, with mainstream American dishes such as salads, chicken, pasta and burgers. All Applebee's restaurants feature a bar area.

    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    I like to use shredded cheese when I can as it tends to melt faster and a little more evenly but it may be hard to find. If you buy your cheese in a block, make sure you chop it up into cubes before adding them to the saucepan. Also, stir often and keep the heat in check. It's very easy to burn the cheese in the bottom of the pan!

    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    ⭐ Copycat Rating

    Since the goal of a Copycat Recipe is for it to taste exactly like the original, it's only natural to rate this recipe against the original. This Copycat recipe rates a solid 10 out of 10 in my opinion.

    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    For more great recipes with White Cheddar, I suggest you check these recipes out:

    • the best grilled cheese sandwich
      The Best Grilled Cheese Sandwich
    • Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
      Gnocchi Mac and Cheese
    • Zucchini with Corn
      Zucchini with Corn Skillet
    • Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese
      Copycat Panera Macaroni and Cheese

    📋 What ingredients do I need

    You will need the following ingredients to make this Copycat Queso Blanco recipe from Applebee's (see recipe card for quantities): Vegetable Oil, Jalapeños, White Onion, White Cheddar Cheese, Monterey Jack Cheese, Half & Half, Diced Tomatoes and Fresh Cilantro.

    🥣 How to make copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco

    In a medium-sized pot over low - medium heat add vegetable oil, 1 ½ tablespoons chopped the jalapeño and white onion. Saute onions and peppers until the onion becomes translucent.
    Add all cheeses and half and half. Reduce heat to low and stir the cheese until it melts.
    When the cheese has melted, stir in the tomatoes and half of the cilantro. Mix to combine.
    Garnish with the remaining cilantro and chopped jalapeños.

    copycat applebee's queso blanco

    Copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco

    There is nothing better on game day than this Copycat Applebee's Queso Blanco dip. Who doesn't like hot melted cheese? Ready in 30 minutes!
    2.73 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Appetizers
    Cuisine American
    Servings 12
    Calories 250 kcal

    Equipment

    • Saucepan

    Ingredients
     

    • 2 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
    • 2 tablespoon Fresh Jalapeño, finely minced
    • ⅓ Cup White Onion, finely chopped
    • 16 oz White Cheddar Cheese
    • 8 oz Monterey Jack Cheese
    • ½ Cup Half and Half
    • ½ Cup Tomato, chopped
    • 2 tablespoon Fresh Cilantro, chopped

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium sized pot over low - medium heat add vegetable oil, 1 ½ tablespoons chopped jalapeno pepper and white onion. Saute onion and peppers until the onion becomes translucent.
    • Chop cheese into large pieces, add all cheeses and half & half. Reduce heat to low and stir the cheese so it melts.
    • When all of the cheese has melted add the fresh tomatoes, stir the tomatoes in. Stir in half of the cilantro. Just before serving garnish the queso with remaining cilantro and chopped jalapenos.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 250kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 15gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 341mgPotassium: 96mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 628IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 427mgIron: 1mg

    Nutritional information provided for this recipe is based on 1 serving. This information is an estimate and may vary based on several factors. If nutritional information is important to you and your diet, please verify this recipe with a Registered Dietitian.

    Tried this Recipe?Leave a Comment below and share a picture on Instagram and tag @hot_rods_recipes and hashtag #hotrodsrecipes!

    More Great Dips, Spreads & Aioli Recipes

    • greek olive tapenade
      Greek Olive Tapenade
    • peanut butter apple dip
      Creamy Peanut Butter Apple Dip
    • avocado aioli
      Avocado Aioli
    • Smoked Chorizo Queso Dip
      Smoked Chorizo Queso Dip
    hot rods recipes

    Reader Interactions

    6 Comments

    1. Shelley

      June 27, 2020 at 7:35 am

      Im giving this recipe one star for flavor, because I did think it tasted good. But for some reason when the cheese melted it kind of separated from, I guess liquids from the tomatoes or whatever, and never really mixed in well, or melted into a smooth, creamy cheesy texture. The cheese would congeal together and you couldnt even dip your chip without having a huge clump of cheese on it. This was nothing like Applebees queso in my opinion.

      Reply
      • Chef Rodney

        June 30, 2020 at 12:17 pm

        Thanks for the feedback. Sorry to hear you had issues with the cheese.

        Reply
    2. Sara

      September 08, 2020 at 6:46 pm

      The flavor profile is there, but this is much more of a fundido rather than a dipping sauce. Sad! I wanted to love it!

      Reply
    3. Stephanie

      January 23, 2022 at 4:24 pm

      Nothing at all like AppleBees Queso Cheese Sauce.
      The Cheese Clumps together.

      Reply
    4. Ryan Grider

      August 08, 2022 at 4:05 am

      Agree with others. Its ok but doesnt even remotely task like the applebeas dip. Ive tried 3x times and all same results.

      Reply
    5. Tammy G

      March 18, 2023 at 8:47 pm

      Didn’t taste anything like the queso at Applebees.

      Reply

    leave comment and rating! Cancel reply

    We would love to hear from you! If you made this recipe, please choose a star rating. Thanks!

    Recipe Rating:




    Before a comment appears it needs to be approved by the site owner. Read our Comment Policy to see how your comment data is processed. Your email address will NOT be published.

    Primary Sidebar

    Chef Rodney Headshot

    Hi! I'm Rodney and welcome to my blog. I am a foodie and a self-taught cook. See More →

    Trending Recipes

    • traditional canadian bannock bread
      Traditional Canadian Bannock Bread
    • blueberry sour cream coffee cake
      Blueberry Sour Cream Coffee Cake
    • Cinnamon Donut Bread
      Cinnamon Donut Bread
    • Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails
      Cinnamon Sugar Beaver Tails

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    Recipes

    • Recipe Index
    • Copycat Recipes
    • Pressure Cooking
    • Celebrity Chef Recipes

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Recipe Disclaimer
    • Web Stories
    • Contact Us

    Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2015-2023 The Ventucky Chef, LLC. All rights reserved.