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Home » Recipes » Recipes

Spicy Jalapeno Shrimp Queso

Published: Jan 19, 2023 · Modified: Nov 22, 2024 by Tabetha Klein · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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This spicy jalapeno shrimp queso recipe combines fresh shrimp with fiery jalapeno peppers. Mixed into a rich, creamy cheese sauce the result is an appetizer perfect for dipping with your favorite veggies or pita chips. Serve hot and finish with some extra jalapeno slices on top for an extra kick of heat.

Shrimp queso in a bowl next to tortilla chips

I'm actually really excited about this recipe. We created something completely new. A spin on a classic comfort food... I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! 

Jump to:
  • 🛒 Ingredients
  • 📖 Instructions
  • 🍽 Serving
  • 👩🏼‍🍳 Chef Tip
  • 🥡 Leftovers
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments

🛒 Ingredients

A classic bechamel sauce (butter, flour, & milk) is at the heart of this recipe. We add layers of flavor by adding garlic, onions, tomatoes & diced chilis, jalapenos, and of course shrimp! 

  • Shrimp - peeled & deveined
  • Olive Oil
  • Lime Juice
  • Cilantro
  • Garlic
  • Red Onion
  • Oregano
  • Smoked Paprika
  • Chili Powder
  • Chipotle Powder
  • Cumin
  • Butter
  • Flour
  • Milk
  • Pepperjack Cheese
  • Diced Tomatoes & Chilis
  • Pickled Jalapenos 

Substitutions

Jalapenos - Jalapenos add a great kick and you could absolutely use roasted vs pickled. Hatch Chilis would also be a great choice. We have an article fully breaking down the difference between jalapenos vs chilis as well if you need it.

Diced Tomatoes & Chilis - Petit diced tomatoes would be fine here as long as you make up for the spiciness of the chilis by adding additional ones in replacement.

Pepperjack Cheese - A Mexican Blend or Colby would be fine, but add ¼ teaspoon of red pepper fake to reintroduce the heat you'll lose with the substitution.

📖 Instructions

There are two main components to this recipe, the shrimp and the sauce. Let's break it down...

The Shrimp

Spicy Grilled Shrimp Recipe Ingredients

We highly recommend using fresh shrimp! I have not, and will never use canned. To be honest, I didn't even realize that existed until a few years ago... The recipe we used is actually our Spicy Grilled Shrimp recipe that we pan-seared instead of grilled. The spice blend is perfect and we love how all the flavors come together. 

Shrimp Marinading in Spices

Start by peeling & deveining your shrimp if needed. In a medium-sized bowl mix together all the ingredients.

Set a large saute pan or cast iron on high heat and drizzle with olive oil to coat. Adding the shrimp one by one, making sure none of them are touching & cook for 2 minutes on each side and then flip.

Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until no longer opaque in the center. Once cool to the touch, rough chop into bite-size pieces and set aside.

Bechamel (Cheese) Sauce

Add your butter to a saucepot over medium heat. Once melted, add your flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes or until you smell a light slightly nutty aroma.

Next, you will add about ½ cup of the milk while whisking quickly. Once thickened, add your remaining milk slowly and whisk until smooth. Once slightly thickened, add ½ of your pepper jack cheese, mix until incorporated, and then the other ½. Stirring until combined.

Finish by adding in your diced tomatoes & chilis, pickled jalapenos, shrimp, and kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste. Garnish with cilantro and any extra shrimp.

🍽 Serving

Low-carb options like mini peppers that have been cut in half are an excellent choice. Brocolli & cauliflower as well! Me? If I'm eating cheese sauce, I will go big or go home. Pita, pita chips, or tortilla chips are all solid options.

You can also serve platter style and let people pick their own! 

👩🏼‍🍳 Chef Tip

Keeping this dish warm will be your biggest hurdle. Most cheese sauces like to thicken up as they cool. Serving your queso immediately is the most ideal. You can also utilize a mini crock pot to insure low and consistent warming if you are bringing this to your next neighborhood potluck.

🥡 Leftovers

If you have any leftover queso, here are a few things to know! You'll need to add a splash of milk while reheating to regain the dippable consistency.

If you want to create something entirely new with it, I would put this in a flour tortilla and turn it into a quesadilla. You'll need to add a bit extra Mexican or pepper jack cheese to hold it all together, but man... that sounds pretty yummy to me.

📖 Recipe

Spicy Shrimp Queso in a bowl

Spicy Jalapeno Shrimp Queso

This spicy jalapeno shrimp queso is a uinque dip that is creamy & spicy! Sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.
1 rating (Click stars to rate)
Recipe by - Tabetha Klein
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
Total Time 30 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 6 people
Calories 330 kcal

Ingredients
  

Shrimp

  • ½ Pound Shrimp - peeled & deveined
  • 2 tablespoon Olive Oil
  • 2 tablespoon Lime Juice
  • 1 teaspoon Cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Red Onion
  • ½ teaspoon Oregano
  • ¼ teaspoon Smoked Paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon Chili Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Chipotle Powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Cumin

Cheese Sauce

  • 2 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
  • 2 tablespoon All-Purpose Flour
  • 2 cups Milk
  • 6 oz Pepper Jack Cheese
  • ½ can Diced Tomatoes w/ Green Chilis
  • 12 slices Pickled Jalapeno - or more
  • tt Kosher Salt
  • tt Fresh Ground Pepper

Instructions
 

Cooking the Shrimp

  • Start by peeling & deveining your shrimp if needed.
  • In a medium-sized bowl mix together all the ingredients.
  • Set a large saute pan or cast iron on high heat and drizzle with olive oil to coat.
  • Adding the shrimp one by one, making sure none of them are touching & cook for 2 minutes on each side and then flip.
  • Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes or until no longer opaque in the center.
  • Once cool to the touch, rough chop into bite-size pieces and set aside.

The Cheese Sauce

  • Add your butter to a saucepot over medium heat.
  • Once melted, add your flour and whisk for 2-3 minutes or until you smell a light slightly nutty aroma.
  • Next, you will add about ½ cup of the milk while whisking quickly. Once thickened, add your remaining milk slowly and whisk until smooth.
  • Once slightly thickened, add ½ of your pepper jack cheese, mix until incorporated, and then the other ½. Stirring until combined.
  • Finish by adding in your diced tomatoes & chilis, jalapenos, shrimp, and kosher salt & fresh ground pepper to taste.
  • Garnish with cilantro and any extra shrimp.
  • Serve with chips or veggies. Enjoy!

Nutrition

Calories: 330kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 20gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 106mgSodium: 3755mgPotassium: 667mgFiber: 6gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 4100IUVitamin C: 22mgCalcium: 391mgIron: 5mg
Keyword Jalapeno, Queso, Shrimp, spicy
Tried this recipe?Mention @tabethas.table!

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Tabetha with Tabetha's Table

My journey began at Le Cordon Bleu, where my love of cooking and subsequently teaching really baked in. This is me pouring out what I've learned over the years and sharing it with the world. We are so glad you're here and hope you find something delicious while you're at it.

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