15 Minute Instant Pot Queso Recipe

I love making my favorite white queso, but I don’t love spending time watching the pot. I developed this quick and easy Instant Pot queso recipe to solve that problem! Made with minimal ingredients in just 15 minutes, this Instant Pot queso dip is super flavorful and a real crowd-pleaser!

How to Store and Reheat

If you have any leftover Instant Pot queso, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It does reheat well in the microwave, just add a splash of milk to it and reheat in 15-30 second increments, stirring in between till heated fully through.

Serving Suggestions

This Instant Pot queso dip is my favorite Mexican appetizer. Serve it up with some tortilla chips or veggie sticks and everyone is happy! It’s also great drizzled onto mains like my favorite green chicken enchiladas, beef burritos, or baked chicken tacos.

How to Make Instant Pot Queso Step by Step

Melt the Butter: Press “Sauté” on a 6-quart Instant Pot. When the display reads “hot”, add ¼ cup of unsalted butter and allow it to melt. Sauté the Veggies: Add ½ of a medium diced red onion and 1 seeded and diced jalapeno and sauté for 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Season with 1 teaspoon of garlic powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of ground paprika, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground cayenne pepper (if using). Add the Liquids: Press “Cancel”, then add 10 ounces of diced tomatoes with green chiles and ½ cup of low-sodium vegetable broth, stirring well. Add 4 ounces (½ brick) of cream cheese cubes on top of the mixture; do not stir. Cook the Dip: Secure the lid and pressure valve, and cook on “Manual High Pressure” for 1 minute. Perform a quick release, then carefully remove the lid. Add the Cheeses: Add ¾ cup of heavy cream and stir, then gradually add 2 cups of freshly shredded cheddar cheese and 2 cups of freshly shredded Monterey jack cheese, 1 cup at a time, stirring well until it’s completely melted. Thicken and Serve: Allow the queso to thicken for a few minutes, then transfer it to a serving bowl. Garnish with jalapeno slices and diced tomatoes (if desired), and enjoy with a big bowl of tortilla chips.