chile con queso: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low-MediumInformal, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “chile con queso” mean?
A warm Tex-Mex dip or sauce consisting of melted cheese and chile peppers, typically served with tortilla chips.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A warm Tex-Mex dip or sauce consisting of melted cheese and chile peppers, typically served with tortilla chips.
Refers broadly to the dip itself, a type of melted cheese and chile dish, and by extension, a menu item, a social food, and a cultural touchstone of Tex-Mex cuisine.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, this dish is almost exclusively encountered in Tex-Mex or Mexican restaurants. The term 'cheese dip' or 'nachos cheese' is more common in generic contexts. In the US (especially the Southwest), 'chile con queso' is a standard term.
Connotations
In the UK, it connotes foreign, specifically American/Texan-Mexican cuisine. In the US Southwest, it connotes a common, beloved snack or appetizer.
Frequency
Rare in general UK discourse; common in US culinary contexts, particularly in the Southwest and Midwest.
Grammar
How to Use “chile con queso” in a Sentence
[Subject: We/They/Restaurant] served chile con queso.[Object] We ordered the chile con queso.[Locative] The chile con queso is on the table.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “chile con queso” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- We're going to queso all night.
- [Informal, rare, derived from the abbreviation]
adjective
American English
- He's in a chile-con-queso mood.
- [Informal, meaning desiring that food/comfort]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in restaurant, catering, or food industry contexts (e.g., 'The new menu features a signature chile con queso.').
Academic
Very rare, except in cultural studies, anthropology, or culinary history papers discussing Tex-Mex cuisine.
Everyday
Common in social/food contexts (e.g., discussing what to eat, ordering at a restaurant, sharing recipes).
Technical
Found in culinary texts, cookbooks, and restaurant menus describing ingredients and preparation.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “chile con queso”
- Misspelling as 'chili con queso' (common variant) or 'chilli con queso'.
- Using plural verb for singular noun (e.g., 'The chile con queso are good' is incorrect).
- Confusing it with 'chili' (the meat stew).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Similar, but not identical. 'Nachos cheese' is a broader, often more processed term. 'Chile con queso' specifically implies melted cheese with chile peppers and is a traditional dish name.
Yes, especially in American English, 'queso' is a very common and understood abbreviation in casual and culinary contexts.
It is always served warm or hot to keep the cheese melted. Serving it cold would be incorrect for this dish.
'Chili' (or chilli con carne) is a hearty stew with meat, beans, and spices. 'Chile con queso' is a creamy, melted cheese and chile pepper dip, with no meat or beans.
A warm Tex-Mex dip or sauce consisting of melted cheese and chile peppers, typically served with tortilla chips.
Chile con queso is usually informal, culinary in register.
Chile con queso: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪleɪ kɒn ˈkeɪsəʊ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtʃɪli kɑn ˈkeɪsoʊ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Informal] As essential as chips and queso.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Chilly' peppers with (CON) 'Queso' (cheese in Spanish). Chile (pepper) + con (with) + queso (cheese).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMFORT IS WARM, MELTED CHEESE (e.g., 'That movie was like emotional chile con queso.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary context for using the term 'chile con queso'?