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Instant Pot Queso

The Super Bowl is almost here, and with it comes a new Game Day recipe: Instant Pot Queso!

bowl of cheese queso surrounded by chips

There are few things better than chips and queso in this world. When I left Arizona for college, I found that Dallas is also queso-crazy! Every restaurant has some variation, and it is usually ordered… 😉 This queso blew me away because you can make it at-home and it’s easier than you think!

Instant Pot Bible Copycat Recipes Cookbook Cover

This recipe is from a new cookbook: Instant Pot Bible Copycat Recipes by Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough. This is such a fun book because the authors have created Instant Pot versions of all of your favorite restaurant recipes! This particular recipe is the Instant Pot version of Chipotle’s Queso Blanco.

More delicious recipes in the book: Marie Callender’s Famous Cornbread, Noodles & Company’s Pad Thai with Shrimp, Cafe Rio’s Sweet Pork Barbacoa Tostadas, Buca di Beppo’s World Famous Meatballs, Applebee’s Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, P.F. Chang’s Spicy Miso Ramen and so many more!

recipeboy holding queso to be put into instant pot

How to make Instant Pot Queso:

The complete, printable recipe is at the end of this post. You will need an Instant Pot and a 7-inch round pan to make this recipe.

Before you can make your queso, you need to pour the water into the insert set in an Instant Pot and set the pressure safe rack in the insert. In your round pan, you can combine the cheeses, chipotle chiles, green chiles (if using), cornstarch, garlic, onion powder, and salt. Give it a good stir and then pour the cream over top (do not stir in the cream). Next, cover the baking dish tightly with foil and set it on the rack. Lock the lid onto the pot and and set it for pressure cook on HIGH. Make sure the valve is closed on the pot and set the time for 20 minutes with the “keep warm” setting off. Press START.

When the pot is finished cooking, use the quick release method to bring the pressure back to normal so you can unlatch the lid. Once the cooker is opened, use baking mitts to transfer the round pan to a wire rack. Uncover and stir in the tomatoes until smooth. Next, let it cool for a few minutes and let the flavor intensify! Finally, pour the queso into a serving dish and enjoy with your favorite tortilla chips.

melted queso in a pan

I’m a huge fan of this picture right here… You can see the chiles and other ingredients blended into the cheese for maximum YUM! I love how customizable this queso is; everyone has their own preferences, so you can easily include your favorite ingredients as far as favorite cheeses and amount of spice desired.

recipeboy pouring queso into bowl

Here’s the mandatory cheese-pour picture- look at that thick, cheesy goodness!

recipeboy holding platter of queso and chips

This Instant Pot Queso is a crowd-pleaser and guaranteed to take your Super Bowl party to the next level! I had never made my own queso before this, so it was awesome to finally get a chance to– And the results were incredible! 🙂

queso in a bowl and then chips

Here are a few more Instant Pot Recipes you might like to try:

bowl of cheese queso surrounded by chips

Instant Pot Queso

RecipeBoy.com (adapted a little from Instant Pot Bible Copycat Recipes)
Seriously yummy.
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings
Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • cups water
  • 12 ounces (3 cups) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 8 ounces (2 cups) shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped canned chipotle chile in adobo sauce (seeds removed)
  • 1 tablespoon canned diced mild green chiles (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 medium garlic clove, peeled and minced
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup heavy or light cream
  • 2 small cherry tomatoes, finely diced (for garnish, optional)
  • corn tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions
 

  • Pour the water into the insert set in your Instant Pot. Set a pressure safe rack in the insert.
  • Stir the two cheeses, chipotle chile, green chiles (if using), cornstarch, garlic, onion powder and salt in a 2-quart, 7-inch across, round, high sided, pressure-safe baking dish. Pour the cream on top of the cheese mixture but do not stir in the cream.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with foil. Set the dish on the rack or trivet and lock the lid onto the pot.
  • Set the pot for pressure cook or manual. Set level to HIGH. The valve must be closed. Set the time for 20 minutes with the "keep warm" setting off. Press START.
  • When the pot has finished cooking, use the quick release method to bring the pressure back to normal. Unlatch the lid and open the cooker. Use hot pads or silcone baking mitts to transfer the hot baking dish to a nearby wire rack. Uncover, stir in the tomatoes until smooth, and cool for a couple of minutes to blend the flavors. Serve warm with tortilla chips for dipping.

Notes

  • Nutritional information is for the queso only (no chips!).

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 500kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 25gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 26gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 128mgSodium: 790mgPotassium: 121mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 2gVitamin A: 1356IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 741mgIron: 1mg
Keyword instant pot, queso
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