Whether you melt or crumble queso fresco, nothing can snatch its delicious taste.
If you’re reading this article, I know you’re a queso fresco lover, and you’re probably trying to whip up a dip, a salad topping, or a burrito filling with this cheese.
Queso fresco allows you to enjoy delicious Mexican dishes without having to visit a restaurant. I mean, you can put it in any Mexican dish that needs cheese.
But, you must know how to use the cheese appropriately. If you don’t know how to, you’re about to learn. Just think up a recipe that you need to make creamy and hearty with cheese.
What type of cheese is queso fresco?
Queso fresco is a fresh Mexican cheese. The word queso fresco is a Spanish word for fresh cheese. You can call it the king of Mexican cheese because it’s the most commonly used in Mexican cuisine.
Furthermore, this Spanish cheese is made from raw cow’s milk or a combination of cow’s and goat’s milk. It is a soft, mild cheese with a tangy taste that brings balance to heat in spicy dishes.
Moreover, this tanginess is one of the reasons why people love to pair this cheese with salad. Mexican chefs will tell you that the best way to use queso fresco is to sprinkle it over rice, roasted veggies, or salad.
Although you can melt queso fresco, this cheese wasn’t made for that purpose. But, if you would rather melt the creamy cheese, you’re also making a good choice.
Melted queso fresco makes delicious dips or sauces, filling for quesadillas or burritos, and it also helps to thicken soups.
How do you melt queso fresco for a dip?
You can melt queso fresco using any of these methods:
1. On a stove
- Grate or shred queso fresco first
- Pour it into a saucepan and add milk or cream
- Allow the cheese to melt over low heat while you stir
- When you think it’s melted enough, you can take the saucepan off the heat
- Serve with tortilla chips or make a sauce or filling
2. In the microwave
- The first thing to do is to shred or grate the cheese
- Afterward, place it in a microwave-safe bowl leaving about an inch of headspace to make room for expansion as the cheese melts
- Microwave the cheese on medium power for at least 30 seconds
- You can stop the microwave at intervals and stir it to see if you’re satisfied
- When queso fresco has melted enough, you can take it out of the microwave
- Serve with tortilla chips or turn it into a sauce
You can also melt queso fresco with milk in the microwave. If you want to use this method, here’s how to:
- You should have grated or shredded queso fresco
- Start by heating the milk to a simmer
- Afterward, add the cheese and whisk it at intervals until it melted to your desire
How long does it take to melt queso fresco?
Generally, it should take at least 5 minutes to melt queso fresco.
How long it takes to melt queso fresco depends on how much cheese you’re melting. Also, the time it takes to melt the cheese will vary with the method you’re using.
For instance, melting queso fresco in a microwave will take less time than melting it on a stovetop.
Why is your queso fresco not melting?
Queso fresco is naturally not a melting cheese. It won’t melt completely when you heat it, it’s normal if you see lumps in the melted cheese.
How can you thin out thick queso fresco?
You can thin out thick queso fresco with any of the following:
- Milk, cream, butter, Greek yogurt, half and half, sour cream, or whipped cream
- Piquante sauce
- Beer, wine, or whiskey
- Water
- Juice
- Jalapeno pickle
- Sodium citrate
- Mascarpone cream cheese sauce
How to use melted queso fresco
- Serve as a dip for chips or vegetables
- You can also use it as a topping for tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas
- Eat queso fresco dip with salad
- Dip potato wedges in queso fresco sauce
- In addition, you can eat it with garlic bread
FAQs
Can you shred queso fresco instead of melting it?
Yes, you can.
If you’d rather not melt queso fresco, crumble it and sprinkle it over salad or rice.
How long does queso fresco dip last?
Queso fresco dip will stay fresh for 3 to 14 days, depending on the method of preparation and storage.
Homemade queso fresco dip won’t last as long as store-bought queso fresco. Therefore, you should consume it the day you make it.
To preserve the dip longer, refrigerate or freeze it for two weeks or two months respectively.
Is queso fresco the same as queso blanco?
No, it is not.
Queso fresco and queso blanco are two different kinds of Spanish cheese.
Queso fresco is a fresh cheese that is curdled with rennet. Queso blanco, on the other hand, is also a fresh cheese, but it is curdled with lemon juice or vinegar.
Conclusion
Queso fresco is one of those cheeses that you can use in several ways, either crumbled or melted. If you love feta, ricotta, or goat cheese, you’ll certainly love this Spanish cheese.
The most common way to use melted queso fresco is as a dip. But do not let that limit your options. Whip up a tasty sauce or use it as a filling for stuffed chiles, burritos, or quesadillas.
Whichever way you enjoy queso fresco after melting it, be sure you’ll be treating yourself to a good meal.
Thanks for reading.
Visit Millenora to learn all you want to know about the different cheeses.
