Rajas Con Queso

My favorite part of vacation is, without a doubt, the food. On a recent trip to Mexico, I fell in love Rajas con Queso, a delicious creamy taco filling made with poblano peppers, onions, corn, cheese, and sour cream.

They are so good! It's like the best cheese dip served in warm toasted corn tortillas.

They are creamy, cheesy, and have just the right amount of spice. Plus some crunch and sweetness from the corn and red onion.

Trust me, serve this as a dip at your next party, or make it for a fun twist on Taco Tuesday. 

Looking for more authentic Mexican guisados, try this Chicken Tinga, Beef Machaca, Pollo Pibil, or Chile Verde. 

What is Rajas Con Queso?

This rajas con queso is a Mexican recipe made with poblano peppers, onions, corn, Mexican crema, and Monterey jack cheese.

In Spanish, Rajas means "strips" and usually refers to strips of poblano or jalapeno peppers. Queso means "cheese," so this just means chile peppers with cheese.

This recipe is similar to another classic Mexican dish called Rajas con Crema, but this version is cheesier.

In Mexico, Rajas Con Queso is typically served with warm corn tortillas, usually for breakfast or lunch. 

Key Ingredients

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to bring this rajas con queso recipe to life.

• Poblano Peppers: This mild green chili pepper can be found in the produce section of most grocery stores and serves as the star of this dish. It’s also the reason for the word “rajas” in the name of the recipe, as it means “slices” and refers to the sliced peppers.
• Onions: We use both red and white onions in this recipe for tons of delicious added flavor.
• Corn: For the best flavor, I recommend using fresh corn off the cob. If that isn’t an option for you, canned or frozen corn will work fine. If using frozen, make sure to thaw it first.
• Sour Cream: When mixed with the stewed veggies and cheese, sour cream creates a creamy texture that brings everything together. I used light sour cream to lighten up this rich dish, but feel free to use full-fat sour cream if you prefer. If you can find Mexican crema, that is what is traditionally used in this dish.
• Chicken Bouillon: If you don’t have chicken bouillon powder, feel free to season the dish with salt and pepper to taste. Don’t worry, the dish will still be incredibly flavorful! This ingredient may seem strange, but bouillon is actually used in many Mexican recipes.
• Skim Milk: Instead of using full-fat milk or more Mexican crema, I used skim milk as a lighter option. Feel free to use any kind of milk or cream you like for your dish.
• Shredded Cheese: Any good melting cheese you like will work here. Some of my top picks include Monterey jack, Oaxacan cheese, or shredded Mexican cheese.

Ways to Serve Rajas Con Queso

Not sure how to serve this dish? Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:

• Serve it as a dip. For a melt-in-your-mouth dip that guarantees to steal the show at any dinner party or gathering, pair this dish with baked tortilla chips, crackers, and fresh vegetables like carrot sticks and celery.
• Scoop it into tacos. All you need are warm corn tortillas to turn this creamy, dreamy dish into the tacos of your dreams. Feel free to add your favorite taco toppings along with the rajas con queso.
• Add it to a burrito bowl. Scoop a few spoonfuls of the dish over a bowl of steamed white rice and add avocado chunks or guacamole, diced chicken, beef, or shrimp, and black beans for an ultra-delicious burrito bowl.

Recipe Tips and Substitutions

Here are some of my top tips and substitution ideas to help you make this dish:

• Make sure to bring your sour cream to room temperature before using it. You can do this by setting it out on the counter for 10-15 minutes.
• You can add extra vegetables like chopped mushrooms, spinach, or potatoes.
• Feel free to swap out the skim milk for cream like Mexican crema if you want a thicker consistency. If you find that it’s too thick, add a splash of water or broth.
• If you want to beef up this dish with some protein, you can add black beans, pinto beans, or shredded chicken.
• For some added flavor and a pop of color, try topping the dish with a sprinkle of fresh chopped herbs like cilantro.
• Want to add a little heat? Swap out a few of the poblano peppers with jalapeno peppers or add some crushed red pepper flakes to the mixture.

Storage and Reheating

This recipe is best eaten right off the stove when it is hot and the cheese is perfectly melted.

If you are lucky enough to have leftovers, Rajas con Queso can be reheated over low heat with a splash or extra milk, water, or broth.

This dish does not freeze well as the cheese and milk get a grainy texture.