The Simple Solution For Bland Store-Bought Queso Is Already In Your Pantry

There is nothing worse than having confidence in a store-bought queso that turns out bland (except maybe having to thicken watery queso). When scoping out a good tub of queso from the store, it's always best to look for the highest quality. Sometimes, though, you get unlucky with a queso dip that ruins your meal. The best way to fix a tasteless cheesy dip is to add some seasonings that are guaranteed to bring in a boost of flavor. In this case, taco seasoning comes to the rescue.

Taco seasoning makes everything better. It can be used to give you the most powerful shrimp dish or craft one of the many Mexican taco styles. Your lackluster queso will benefit from a touch of taco seasoning, plus it's uncomplicated to make (good news for novice or time-deprived cooks). Take a spoonful or two of the taco seasoning and add it to your tub of queso cheese or a mixing bowl. You can mix the ingredients together by hand or make use of a blender or hand mixer for an ultra-smooth and evenly distributed dip. Feel free to warm it up or serve it as is. Taco seasoning is usually a mix of chili powder, oregano, cumin, paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.  With this flavor combination, you can expect a savory and earthy cheese sauce to tuck into.

There are several recipes to make the most of this highly seasoned queso. If you're craving nachos, consider bulking up the dip with a few chunkier ingredients like diced peppers and tomatoes with cilantro to garnish this vegetarian-friendly snack. The taco seasoning will take your nacho skills up a level and can be built upon with other ingredients like ground beef or cheddar cheese — just be sure to build your game day nachos like a pro.

The taco-flavored queso also works well for kebabs. If you want to enjoy your go-to taco ingredients a little differently, try taco-inspired kebabs lathered in queso sauce as your next experiment. A few ingredients that pair well with the taco-flavored queso are black beans, pico de gallo, ground beef, or mushrooms for a plant-based alternative. Kids will enjoy assembling this kind of meal, and the taco dip bowl will likely be wiped clean — a clear sign of success.

If you happen to have any leftover cheesy sauce, a final recipe could be to upgrade your warm salad bowl with a dollop (or three or four) of the cheesy sauce. Make the most of Mexican vegetables to bring out the flavors, such as diced bell peppers, jalapeños, red onion, zucchini, and tomatillos for a burst of flavor. Give your vegetables a good stir with the sauce once cooked, or enjoy the salad raw for a crunchier texture that the queso can work its magic into.