National Queso Day – September 20, 2022, history significance why we celebrate
Almost any cheese lover will tell you that the world got a little better the day that chili con queso dip got invented. Chili con queso, or “queso,” for short, is a delicious cheese dip that finds a home in a great deal of Tex-Mex cooking.
Queso originates from Chihuahua, a state located in the north of Mexico. There’s a good chance you won’t find a whole lot of the kind of queso dip that we know and love offered up at restaurants in Mexico, but restaurants all throughout the U.S. serve up this delectable vat of cheesy goodness.
History of National Queso Day
Likely invented in Mexico during the 19th century or perhaps earlier, the first known recipe for queso is recorded from 1896, which came out in an American magazine called The Land of Sunshine.
The dish was originally called chiles verdes con queso, which translates to “green chilis with cheese”. The recipe was categorized as Mexican Food and was originally more focused on the chilis than it was on the cheese.
Now, queso is all about the cheese! In fact, the word queso literally means “cheese” in Spanish, but when English speakers refer to queso, they usually mean the appetizer dip called “chili con queso”. This dip is made of melted cheese and chili peppers and is often served with tortilla chips.
National Queso Day is the ideal time to give cheers for this simple and delightful little snack that is now well-loved all around the world.
NATIONAL QUESO DAY TIMELINE
1900
Tex-Mex arrives in San Antonio, Texas
Queso is a beloved Tex-Mex food. The first modern Tex-Mex establishment popped up in San Antonio, Texas thanks to Otis Farnsworth.
1918
Velveeta was invented
Using Velveeta to make queso dip is an American tradition. Although it didn’t gain popularity until later, Velveeta first made its debut in this year.
1935
“Little Mexico” serves up the first queso…maybe
The exact origin of chili con queso is highly disputed, but one restaurant in Arkansas, “Little Mexico,” claims to be the first establishment to serve up our beloved cheese dip.
1939
Velveeta featured in queso recipe
The idea of using Velveeta to make queso was published in a cookbook.
NATIONAL QUESO DAY ACTIVITIES
Go out for queso
Round up a group of friends and head down to your favorite Mexican restaurant. Queso is great any time of the day, but we suggest indulging in this tasty treat during Happy Hour. Queso tastes delicious by itself and it tends to taste even better paired with a nice, cold margarita!
Try making a new queso recipe
If you always stick to making the recipe found on the back of a very famous box of processed cheese, why not branch out a little? By browsing through some cookbooks, or doing a quick search online, you are sure to come across some new and exciting queso recipes that are worth giving a shot.
Score some free queso
There are more than a few restaurants throughout the United States that offer free queso on September 20. Do your homework ahead of time and you might just find that you can score some cheese dip goodness for free on National Queso Day.
4 QUESO DIPS YOU NEED TO TRY “AHORA”
Why not combine two favorites: fajitas and queso?
Two of the most beloved menu items at a Tex-Mex restaurant are fajitas and queso dip; combine the two by finding a recipe for chicken fajita queso dip.
Lactose free?
The internet is filled with some amazing vegan, cashew-based queso recipes that taste just as good as melted cheese.
Get a little more authentic with queso fundido
Queso fundido — a stringy, delicious pile of cheese melted on a hot griddle — is often served at restaurants and gatherings throughout Mexcio.
Queso con wings
Believe it or not, many people insist that one of the best bowls of queso dip is served up at Buffalo Wild Wings.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL QUESO DAY
Queso is delicious
Salsa and guacamole are great, but sometimes we just want a warm bowl of cheese to dip our tortilla chips in. Just daydreaming about all of that hot, melted cheese makes our mouths water!
Everyone makes queso a little differently
It doesn’t matter if we’re all using the same recipe — it always seems as if each person makes queso differently. Maybe you add more spice, or perhaps your queso always turns out nice and thick while your friend’s cheese dip often turns into a runny mess. Personally, we’ve never met a queso we haven’t liked.
It’s easy to make
Sitting in a Mexican restaurant and ordering a steaming bowl of queso is one of life’s greatest pleasures, but that shouldn’t stop you from making queso at home whenever the craving strikes. Although some queso recipes can get pretty extravagant, you can make a pretty kick-butt bowl of queso just by melting some cheese and throwing in a couple of spices.
How to Celebrate National Queso Day
National Queso Day can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, including celebrating with some of these ideas:
Enjoy Some Queso Dip
In celebration of National Queso Day, head on over to a favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex restaurant and have a ton of fun digging into a bowl of queso cheese dip. Even more fun, order queso as a take-out dish from several different local restaurants and have a taste test to see which one is the best when they are compared side-by-side.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to inquire at the restaurant to see if they’ll offer a discount on their queso dip in honor of National Queso Day!
Learn How to Make Queso Dip
Making queso dip isn’t as complicated as most people might think. All it takes is a little bit of melted cheese, usually Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack cheese varieties, as well as some salsa, rotel tomatoes and/or chilis. Some people like to use cheddar cheese in the mix, and others enjoy the texture given by the use of cream cheese in their queso recipes.
Mix everything up and keep the queso warm for serving. Sprinkle with preferred garnish like chopped green onions or diced tomatoes. Use it for dipping tortilla chips or spread the queso over Mexican style dishes and bake to perfection.
Share Queso with Friends and Family
The fact that queso is served in a big bowl for dipping makes it perfect for enjoying with a big group! Grab a big bowl of chips and some queso dip and let the fun begin. Add in a few margaritas or some sangria and the party will be going strong.
Don’t feel like throwing a big party? That’s okay! Those who like to keep things low key can still enjoy and pay tribute to National Queso Day by bringing some chips and queso to the office and sharing this delightful dish with coworkers.
