The best store bought queso is creamy, spicy, and cheesy. You can eat it straight out of the fridge, warmed in the microwave, or poured over tortilla chips for quick and easy nachos. But there isn’t just one best queso that works for everyone.
Maybe you want spicy queso. Maybe you want queso blanco. Maybe you want queso that tastes like the nacho cheese you get at the movie theater. Lucky for you, in one of those rare instances of the world showing kindness, there are a lot of really great queso brands out there, available to purchase at your local grocery store. So you can have the best queso, in your hands, in less than an hour.
Over the course of many taste tests, we’ve tried over 30 different quesos—including vegan queso—and we found 13 that we wholeheartedly recommend. We evaluated these queso dips on flavor (we want cheesy, obviously, but also peppery if peppers are advertised, and some seasoning), texture (silky, dippable), and a certain something else that keeps you coming back for more. If you’re eating the best store bought queso, it should be difficult to tear yourself away.
Here’s our updated list of the best queso dip to buy. Don’t limit yourself to just one.
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- Trader Joe’s Vegan Nacho Dip
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Even though this isn’t labeled as a queso, it’s still the best vegan queso we tasted. It has a real tangy, cheese-like flavor. And, when you heat it up, it gets super creamy and smooth and melty thanks to the coconut oil and tapioca starch. If dairy is a no-no, then this queso is a yes-yes. It’s the best queso dip to buy for vegans or those who are vegan-curious. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Trader Joe’s
- Fritos Jalapeno Cheddar Flavored Cheese Dip
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The nostalgia factor is through the roof with this queso. Fritos Jalapeño Cheddar Flavored Cheese Dip tastes like movie theater nacho cheese. The kind that comes out of a big pump and is served with pickled jalapenos and slightly stale chips and is delicious for some reason. This cheese “flavored” dip tastes like it has jalapeno pickling juice mixed directly into it, setting it apart from all the other fresh pepper-based queso dips we tried. It certainly doesn’t taste homemade and that’s actually what earned it a spot on our list of the best jarred queso. It has that made-in-a-factory flavor that you’re in the mood for sometimes! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Tostitos Queso Blanco Dip
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If you’re hosting an event or party, Tostitos Queso Blanco is some of the best store bought queso blanco we tried. It scored points for durability: As it sat out during our taste test, it remained melty and perfectly creamy while some of the others started to congeal or form a less-than-pleasant film. You could enjoy this queso blanco over the course of a football game or movie marathon. It’s a little spicy, but won’t blow out your taste buds if you’re trying to enjoy other appetizers. That being said, you might not even want to eat any other apps when Tostitos Queso Blanco is on the table. It’s just too good. I could eat chip after chip dipped in this and never get tired of it. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Instacart
- Gordo’s Mild Cheese Dip
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Gordo’s queso has a diehard fan base—lots of people think it’s the best white queso and I understand why. It’s delicious. It’s unbelievably buttery, but the texture is what keeps it from ranking higher. Gordo’s queso is extremely thin, much thinner than any queso I’ve ever had at a restaurant. Additionally, the flavor is very mild. I think this is better suited to being used as a cheese sauce than as a dip. It will coat a frozen burrito or a plate of nachos like a dream, and the mildness won’t overpower other flavors. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Cacique Jalapeño DIp
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Cacique’s original white queso didn’t do it for us during our first taste test. But we tried Cacique Jalapeño in our latest best queso taste test and it definitely earned a spot on this list of the best queso. First of all, it’s super thick, which I love in queso. I want to be able to scoop up my queso. Secondly, it packs a ton of real jalapeño flavor. Specifically, it has roasted jalapeño flavor, with some good, spicy heat, too, and chunks of pepper in the mix. It also has a lot of cumin flavor, to the point where my colleague Jordan Myrick thought it verged on Indian-Mexican fusion. So, why not lean in? Top some nachos with butter chicken (Trader Joe’s makes a good frozen version) and then top it all with this queso blanco. Did we just invent a new hit dish? — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Great Value Salsa Con Queso Cheese Dip
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Surprise, surprise! Walmart makes some of the best store bought queso. It’s a very delicious, very affordable queso. It has big chunks of peppers in it, which give it a nice kick. It’s super creamy and thick. It has that nostalgic, bright orange queso color. I would happily serve this at a party to guests I like and respect. I would also pour this over a burrito and eat it with a knife and fork. I feel like you could even mix a box of cooked elbow noodles with a jar of this queso for an easy and spicy mac and cheese. It’s so cheap that, if it’s bad, it’s no big loss. Take risks! — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Walmart
- Velveeta Queso Con Salsa
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There’s no other way to describe this queso than by saying it is the best store bought queso if you love Velveeta. Velveeta is such a unique foodstuff. It’s a little bit like plastic, but in the best way possible. It’s so extremely creamy and gooey. And it has just the slightest hint of spice on the end. If you’ve been making “queso” by melting Velveeta in a bowl, then cut out the middleman (aka the microwave) and get this new Velveeta queso. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Velveeta
- Queso Mama White Queso with Diced Green Chilies
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So many of the mild queso brands we tried weren’t just mild in spice—they were mild in flavor. Queso Mama manages to keep the heat low while bringing tons of good, cheesy flavor. Notes of cumin and green chili fill your mouth when you bite into a chip drenched in Queso Mama’s queso, making it some of the best store bought queso blanco we tried and definitely the best grocery store queso if you can’t handle heat. I am now addicted to it and took the entire 32-ounce container to enjoy in the privacy of my own home. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Target
- On the Border Spicy Jalapeno Queso
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You’re about to see a lot of On the Border queso. Essentially, if you find any On the Border Queso, go ahead and buy it. Because On the Border makes the best jarred queso, period. This one is the best queso dip to buy if you want some heat. It has a lot of really good, vegetal, fruity, peppery flavor that’s accompanied by just the right amount of heat. It won’t blow your tongue off, but it will get your mouth tingling. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- On the Border Monterey Jack Queso
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We included a few really great queso blanco brands on this list, but On the Border makes the best white queso around. It’s zesty and peppery and extremely rich and creamy. It’s slightly milder and less tangy than the classic On the Border queso, so if you’re looking for a more easy going dip, this is the best queso for you. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Walmart
- Casa Mamita Salsa con Queso
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We take a break from our On the Border love fest to tell you about an On the Border dupe we found at Aldi. Casa Mamita Salsa con Queso tastes almost exactly like our pick for the number one best store bought salsa. It’s salty and very creamy and it even includes tasty chunks of pepper. It doesn’t have quite the same nuance of flavor as On the Border, but it’s cheaper and it’s nearly as good. Job well done, Aldi. — Justine Sterling
Credit: Liv Averett / Instacart
- On the Border Salsa Con Queso
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As we’ve teased, On the Border makes the best store bought queso. This queso is so creamy and smooth. My favorite aspect is how the fruitiness from the jalapeño really shines. On the Border Salsa Con Queso would be great for chip dipping, burrito dunking, or taco salad drizzling. Surprisingly, this queso can be eaten hot or cold. I never thought I’d enjoy a queso cold, but On the Border’s is so good that I’d take it any way I could get it. — Jordan Myrick
Credit: Merc / Instacart
Best Vegan Queso
Most Nostalgic
Best for a Party
Best Cheese Sauce
Best Jalapeno
Best Budget
Best Velveeta
Best Mild
Best Spicy
Best Blanco Queso
Best On the Border Dupe
Best of the Best
Other Products We Tried: Happy Farms Queso Blanco, Happy Farms Salsa Con Queso, 365 White Queso, Stonewall Kitchen Bacon Queso, Sprouts Queso Blanco, Good & Gather Queso Blanco, Desert Pepper Chili Con Queso, Trader Joe’s Queso, Taco Bell Salsa Con Queso, Fritos Mild Cheddar, Tostitos Salsa con Queso, Rico’s, Queso-Melt Jalapeno Cheese Dip, Gordo’s Original Cheese Dip, Great Value Queso Blanco, Queso Mama White Queso with Jalapenos, 505 Southwestern Green Chile Queso Blanco, Tostitos Spicy Queso, Herdez Queso Con Salsa
Red cactus white cheese
Kroger makes their own queso that is actually pretty frickin good
505 came out with green chili queso and it might just be better than on the border which has always been my favorite also.
You guys didn’t try the Aldi’s Casa Mamita Salsa con Queso. It’s only $2.19 for 15 oz. and it’s so good, I run out of queso halfway through the bag of chips.
Had to come back here after having Taco Bell’s. You mention in the notes you tried it, but the absolute TEXTURE of the stuff is so unlike everything else I feel like it’s worth a mention. It feels like a shortcut to the Velveeta+Ro-Tel dip you make for the Super Bowl or company potluck.
Just tried Leal’s Queso Blanco with hatch chilis. It’s mild and delicious! You should try it!!
Not one mention of Cacique. Tsk-tsk.
It’s #8 on the list
Love that you all update these, update notes and a header indicating so would be even better.
Shocked! I’ve lately been begrudgingly buying Tostitos ScQ (the yellow one that didn’t make the top 5) because On the Border, which is cheaper, tasted worse to me. I agree that Trader Joe’s version is nasty though.
Sorry to say, but you are wrong on this one BIG TIME. Leigh Oliver’s is far and away the best best best store-bought queso. Please try it Jordan, because you will be blown away. It’s almost embarrassing for all these other brands how much better Leigh Oliver’s is.
There’s a brand at target called “queso mama” and it’s the closest queso to a Mexican restaurant I’ve ever had and it’s incredible! I would definitely try it if you find it!
Using this list at the store right now. Gonna try the cacique!
It’s a little weird, but good! I hope you enjoy it!
I was hoping you’d tried every queso out there so apart from the top 5 i could see where my Herr’s Queso ranked. its the only one you can buy in stores here in the UK.
That one is awful, sorry. My opinion.
Gordos should have been tested no doubt. It’s a travesty it’s been left off this list as it is leagues above any of these. Each one of the dips listed tastes like processed cheese while gordos is real cheese.
Tried On the Border last night and it was great. I’ve been specifically not getting queso when I’m at the store because I knew I would be eating it cold. But you are right, On the Border was great even that way. Will definitely get again. Thanks!
i bet if y’all tried gordo’s it would have made the top 5! it’s so good!
I love the Fritos one, not as a chip dip, sometimes for nachos, but it is great on a hot dog instead of traditional condiments!
Always went with the Tostitos, will definitely try the on the border
Never had In the Border. Will try it now. . Which one is less chunky? Not a fan of biting peppers and onions in queso.
Hi Bonnie! If you’re looking for a perfectly smooth queso, the Fritos one has no chunks of anything at all.
I buy a lot of quesos, and gordos is the best imo. Taste like restaurant quality. The ones in the glass jars taste fake in comparison.
yes Gordos for sure they got to try that one it’s the one I used in many restaurants that I worked in.
Should have had Gordo’s in the mix
Gordon’s is the best for sure!
I can also agree Gordos for sure!