09/20/2026
Likely invented in Mexico during the 19th century or perhaps earlier, the first known recipe for queso is recorded from 1896, which came out in an American magazine called The Land of Sunshine.
The dish was originally called chiles verdes con queso, which translates to “green chilis with cheese”. The recipe was categorized as Mexican Food and was originally more focused on the chilis than it was on the cheese.
Now, queso is all about the cheese! In fact, the word queso literally means “cheese” in Spanish, but when English speakers refer to queso, they usually mean the appetizer dip called “chili con queso”. This dip is made of melted cheese and chili peppers and is often served with tortilla chips.
National Queso Day is the ideal time to give cheers for this simple and delightful little snack that is now well-loved all around the world.