If you are a fan of Mexican food, especially nacho chips (tortilla chips with some additions), you have to know what queso dip or “chile con queso” is. It is a Mexican cheese sauce that is most often used as a dip for nachos. So, it is not a surprise that it’s also known as nacho cheese.
So, you had a nacho party, you made a lot of queso dip, and now you don’t know what to do with all those cheese leftovers. And you remember that you recently froze a chicken and the question arises “Can you freeze queso dip as well?”.
And I say that the answer is absolutely positive! You can freeze your delicious queso dip but you also have to know some other information to do it properly. And the best way to find out that information is to continue reading this article.
So, Can You Freeze Queso Dip?
Yes, you absolutely can freeze queso dip and it will last for about 4 to 6 months in the freezer. Although every type of food is better when it is fresh, freezing queso dip does not have any major consequences if it is stored in the freezer properly.
The main reason for this is that you will eventually heat your queso dip again so the slightly crumbly texture, which is the consequence of freezing and defrosting, won’t do any harm. Reheating your cheese dip will do the job in terms of texture.
That is not the case with some other dairy products like some types of cheese that you traditionally eat fresh, i.e. the types of cheese that you don’t melt. Their texture is very important, so it is not recommended to freeze those types of cheese because you will probably ruin them.
Fortunately, our queso dip doesn’t belong in that category and it can freely be frozen, and I will reveal to you the best way to do it. So, stay tuned to find out how you can freeze queso dip the right way.
How Can You Freeze Queso Cheese Dip Properly?
Before I head to the main steps that answer the question of how to freeze queso dip, I will first emphasize that the crucial thing to do before you go into the freezing process is to make sure that it doesn’t contain any bits of nachos or any other food.
The reason why I am saying this is that those bits of food can easily bring some unwanted and harmful bacteria to the dip, which is not something you want to happen. So, now that you know this important information, you are ready to step into the freezing process. Let’s begin with the first step, shall we?
STEP 1: In case you made your own large batch of piping hot cheese dip, it is best to let it cool down completely before freezing it. On the other hand, if you have some leftovers that are already cold, you can freely start the freezing process.
STEP 2: I must emphasize that it is best to divide the queso cheese dip into smaller portions.
You should the same when freezing Velveeta cheese or any other cheese (or cheese dip). The main reason for this decision is to allow you to use exactly the amount of cheese dip that you need when the time comes.
Repeatedly freezing and defrosting a large amount of your cheese dip will lead to its shorter shelf life.
STEP 3: Now that you have divided your cheese dip into smaller portions, it is time to pour it into the ziplock freezer bag or freezer-safe container (airtight container).
It is necessary to suck out all the remaining air from the bag, and it is also important to leave a few inches of space before placing the bags or container in the freezer.
One extra tip is to store ready-made cheese dip upside down in order to prevent freezer burn that can ruin the texture and quality of the cheese dip.
STEP 4: The fourth and final task is to label the bag or container with the storage date and finally freeze cheese dip. I must also say that, if you have store-bought queso dip in a plastic container, you don’t have to transfer it into the new storage bag or container.
But, if it is bottled or canned, you must pour it into a freezer bag or freezer-safe container before the freezing process begins.
What is The Right Way To Defrost Frozen Queso Dip?
When you decide to use your frozen cheese dip, the next logical step is to thaw it and do so in the right way.
So, the question is how to do that properly. One thing is sure, this thawing process must not be rushed. It won’t be a good idea to consider putting your frozen cheese dip on the countertop, i.e. let it defrost at room temperature.
The only good solution for this when talking about queso cheese dip is to store it in the fridge. This will ensure that the defrosting process is gradual.
According to the USDA, “it’s best to plan ahead for slow, safe thawing in the refrigerator”. The only bad thing that happens is that the queso dip separates a little bit, i.e. the consistency becomes watery when thawed.
But, honestly, that is not a problem at all because the next step is reheating it and that will surely solve the problem of watery consistency.
How Can You Reheat Thawed Queso Dip?
After answering the questions on how can you freeze queso dip? and how can you defrost it? it is time to head to the last question how can you reheat cheese dip? The main answer lies in a skillet.
So, in order to reheat your thawed queso cheese dip, you’ll have to pour it into a skillet on low heat to medium heat. While it is in the skillet, you’ll have to stir it frequently so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom.
After a short time simmering, your queso cheese dip is ready to be used as a delicious appetizer in your favorite Mexican dish.
I also have to say that you can use the microwave as well, in order to properly reheat your cheese dip. You can do this by microwaving on high for about 20 seconds in one interval. After one interval, you have to stir it well.
You will go through the needed number of intervals of 20 seconds until your cheese dip is ready. Microwaving cheese dip is best when you need to reheat cheese dip quickly.
FAQs
Can I Freeze Velveeta Queso Dip?
Yes, you can freeze Velveeta queso dip for up to 3 months due to quality reasons, according to the USDA. In order to do this properly, you will have to put it into a freezer ziplock bag or a freezer-safe container. You will do this in order to maintain the best flavor.
Velveeta queso dip is made up of two processed cheeses and those are Velveeta cheese and Rotel cheese. You must note that it is not recommendable to freeze those two separately because you will probably ruin their texture.
Can You Freeze Queso Blanco?
Queso Blanco is not the best candidate for freezing. Generally speaking, you can freeze any cheese but you will also risk ruining its texture.
And this is especially the case in some medium moisture cheeses like cheddar cheese and queso Blanco.
Cheeses, and especially cheese dip, with higher fat content, like, for example, cream cheese or cream cheese dip, are a lot better candidates for freezing than these previous ones.
And there is one more important factor that determines whether or not it is a good idea to freeze your cheese, and that is whether or not you’ll eat it plain.
Freezing is preferable when you are planning to cook the cheese after freezing and defrosting than it is when you are planning to eat it plain.
How Long Does Homemade Queso Last In The Freezer?
Homemade queso can last up to 6 months in the freezer, practically the same amount of time as store-bought queso dip. The reason for this is the very low temperature in the freezer, so the type of cheese is not so important at that low temperature.
But, for example, if you store it in the fridge, your homemade queso dip will last only for 4 days; on the other hand, the one that you bought in the grocery store (or on Amazon) will last up to 2 weeks because it is processed, i.e. contains additives.
Final Verdict On Freezing Queso Dip
I am sure that this dip made of cheese, cornstarch, onion, garlic, and some other delicious ingredients, is something that you won’t be able to resist in your favorite Mexican dish.
So, I made sure to let you know how you can freeze queso dip properly in order to get the best results and the most delicious sauce for your taste buds. There are answers to some other questions related to this interesting topic, so you can take a look at those as well.