The iconic On The Border cheese dip comes in two distinct forms: the shelf-stable jarred product sold in grocery stores and the fresh, house-made queso available at their restaurants. While both offer a delicious Tex-Mex experience, their ingredient lists differ significantly. Understanding these differences is key to replicating the flavor at home and understanding the product you're buying. The grocery store varieties, such as the Monterey Jack White Queso and Salsa Con Queso, rely on a specific blend of real cheese, stabilizers, and natural and artificial flavorings to ensure a consistent, creamy texture and long shelf life. In contrast, the restaurant's "Signature Queso" is prepared with fresh vegetables and cheese for a brighter, more vibrant taste.
On The Border's Retail Jarred Queso Ingredients
When you purchase a jar of On The Border cheese dip from the supermarket, you're getting a product designed for convenience and longevity. For the Monterey Jack White Queso and Salsa Con Queso variants, the core ingredients typically include water, nonfat milk, soybean oil, and Monterey Jack cheese. Thickeners like maltodextrin and modified corn starch are used for texture. Flavor comes from ingredients such as jalapeño and red bell peppers, with diced tomatoes and green chiles added in the Salsa Con Queso version. Stabilizers and emulsifiers like Sodium Phosphate and DATEM maintain creaminess. Preservatives such as Sorbic Acid extend shelf life, and flavor enhancers like yeast extract are also present. Some versions may also contain artificial colors.
Recreating the Restaurant-Style Queso
To mimic the fresh flavor of the in-house queso, which is described as being made with ingredients like cilantro, tomatoes, and various peppers, a copycat recipe is recommended. These recipes typically use simple, fresh components.
Ingredients for a Homemade Version
- A blend of white American and shredded Monterey Jack cheese for creaminess and flavor.
- Fresh diced red bell pepper and jalapeño, along with canned diced tomatoes with green chiles.
- Minced fresh garlic and onion powder for aromatics.
- Milk or half-and-half to achieve the desired consistency.
- Seasonings like cumin, and optionally, cayenne pepper and salt.
- Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice added just before serving.
Jarred vs. Restaurant Queso: A Comparison
To highlight the fundamental differences, here is a breakdown of the key ingredient approaches.
| Feature | Retail Jarred Queso | Homemade Restaurant-Style Queso |
|---|---|---|
| Cheese | Monterey Jack, sometimes Cheddar, plus emulsifying salts | White American (processed), Monterey Jack (shredded) |
| Base Liquid | Water, nonfat milk, and soybean oil | Milk, half-and-half, or evaporated milk |
| Thickener | Modified corn starch and maltodextrin | No artificial thickeners; uses melting cheese properties |
| Vegetables | Canned or rehydrated peppers and tomatoes | Fresh diced red bell pepper, jalapeño, and canned tomatoes with green chiles |
| Flavor | Natural and artificial flavors, yeast extract | Fresh aromatics (garlic, onion), spices (cumin), and fresh herbs (cilantro) |
| Shelf Life | Long shelf-stable due to preservatives | Short, made-to-order, no preservatives |
How to Achieve That Authentic Tex-Mex Taste at Home
To capture the signature flavor of On The Border queso, a homemade approach is often preferred. Combining processed American cheese with shredded Monterey Jack provides a stable and flavorful base, with the processed cheese acting as an emulsifier for a smooth texture. Fresh ingredients are key for flavor, including sautéed jalapeños, onions, and garlic, along with canned tomatoes with green chiles for the classic Tex-Mex profile. Finishing with cumin and fresh cilantro completes the dish. Melting the cheese slowly over low heat with constant stirring is crucial to prevent burning or separation.
Conclusion
The jarred On The Border cheese dip is convenient, utilizing a blend of real cheese, oils, and stabilizers for consistency and shelf life. However, the restaurant's signature queso achieves its appealing taste through fresh ingredients like peppers, tomatoes, and herbs. By making a copycat version at home with processed American cheese for creaminess and fresh aromatics and spices, you can recreate the authentic On The Border queso experience.
Try this popular copycat recipe to make your own creamy queso at home.
