Southwestern Queso
The Chili’s Southwestern Queso costs $14.39 at most US locations and contains 1360 calories per the official Chili’s menu page. It replaced both the White Skillet Queso and the Skillet Beef Queso as the primary queso option on the standard menu when it launched in October 2025. Made with melted American and cheddar cheeses, roasted green chiles, sweet onion, and lime it’s creamier and more flavor-forward than what it replaced. This page covers the full ingredient list, calorie breakdown, how it compares to the Skillet Beef Queso it largely replaced, and where it works best as both a standalone dip and as part of other orders.
What Is Chili’s Southwestern Queso?
Chili’s Southwestern Queso is a warm cheese dip melted American and cheddar cheeses blended with roasted green chiles, sweet onion, and a hit of lime served with corn tostada chips and fresh salsa on the side. It launched on the Chili’s menu in October 2025 as a replacement for the older queso formats and sits at 1360 calories per the official Chili’s menu page.
The roasted green chiles are the key differentiator from the Skillet Beef Queso. Instead of beef adding richness and body to the dip, the chiles add a subtle smoky heat that works across more dipping applications. The lime brightens the overall flavor in a way that straight cheese dips without acid don’t have.
Chili’s Southwestern Queso Price
At most US locations as of July 2026 though third-party delivery platforms typically show $15 to $17 with platform markup. Order directly through the Chili’s app or chilis.com for the accurate price.
Also available as one of the five dip choices inside the Dip Trio at $11.29 the Dip Trio portion is smaller than the full standalone order, but at $11.29 for three dips total, it’s significantly better value if you’re combining queso with other dips.
| Format | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standalone order | $14.39 | Table of 3 – 4 people, full queso experience |
| Inside Dip Trio | Included in $11.29 | 2 – 4 people mixing queso with other dips |
| 4oz sauce add-on | $1.00 | Adding queso as a dip to any other item |
Chili’s Southwestern Queso Ingredients
Confirmed ingredients from official Chili’s menu documentation:
Chili’s Southwestern Queso Calories & Full Nutrition
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1360 |
| Protein | 28g |
| Fat | 92g |
| Saturated Fat | 42g |
| Carbohydrates | 84g |
| Fiber | 4g |
| Sodium | 2640mg |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Cholesterol | 120mg |
At 1360 calories the Southwestern Queso is a split-with-the-table order, not a solo starter. The sodium at 2640mg covers more than the daily recommended limit in a single appetizer worth knowing before you order this alongside other high-sodium items like the Texas Cheese Fries or the Bone-In Wings.
The calorie count includes the chips. The queso dip itself accounts for approximately 790 calories of the total; the corn tostada chips account for the remaining 570 calories.
Southwestern Queso vs Skillet Beef Queso
| Feature | Southwestern Queso | Skillet Beef Queso |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $14.39 | $13.59 |
| Calories | 1360 cal | 1340 cal |
| Defining ingredient | Roasted green chiles | Seasoned beef |
| Flavor profile | Creamy, mild smoky heat, bright | Beefy, chili-forward, heavier |
| Versatility as dip | Higher pairs with most items | Lower competes with beef entrees |
| Vegetarian | Yes | No |
| Best for | Eggroll dipping, chip dipping, Dip Trio | People who specifically want beef queso |
The Southwestern Eggroll Dip Hack
The single best use of the Southwestern Queso on the Chili’s menu is as the dipping sauce for the Southwestern Eggrolls™ not the avocado-ranch sauce that comes with the eggrolls by default. One food reviewer who ate through 45 Chili’s items in a single sitting discovered this mid-meal and called it a complete game-changer:
The roasted green chiles in the Southwestern Queso complement the Southwestern spice profile of the eggroll filling rather than competing with it which is why this combination works better than the avocado-ranch pairing. If you’re ordering Southwestern Eggrolls™, order a $1.00 4oz side of Southwestern Queso alongside them instead of relying on the included sauce.
Is Chili’s Southwestern Queso Vegetarian?
Yes. The Southwestern Queso contains no meat; the roasted green chiles and cheese base are entirely vegetarian-friendly. It does contain Milk (from the American and cheddar cheese) and may come into contact with other allergens through shared kitchen equipment.
Southwestern Queso Allergen Information
| Allergen | Present |
|---|---|
| Milk | Yes |
| Wheat | May contain (shared equipment) |
| Egg | May contain |
| Shellfish | May contain |
| Tree Nuts | May contain |
Always inform your server of any food allergy before ordering. Chili’s kitchens use shared equipment.
Chili’s Southwestern Queso FAQs
How much does Chili’s Southwestern Queso cost?
$14.39 at most US locations as of July 2026. Prices vary by location, confirmed locally before ordering.
How many calories are in Chili’s Southwestern Queso?
1360 calories per the official Chili’s menu page including the corn tostada chips served with it.
When did Chili’s Southwestern Queso launch?
October 2025 it replaced the White Skillet Queso and largely replaced the Skillet Beef Queso as the primary queso option on the standard menu.
What’s the difference between Southwestern Queso and Skillet Beef Queso?
The Southwestern Queso uses roasted green chiles as the flavor base on beef, creamier, more versatile as a dip. The Skillet Beef Queso uses seasoned beef and reads more like a chili-cheese dip. Both are still on the menu; Southwestern Queso is the better all-around pick for most tables.
Is Chili’s Southwestern Queso gluten-free?
The queso dip itself does not contain wheat but the corn tostada chips and shared kitchen equipment mean cross-contamination is possible. Not recommended for celiac disease.
Can you get Southwestern Queso as a dipping sauce for other items?
Yes, as a $1.00 4oz sauce add-on to any item on the menu. This is the best way to add queso as a dip for Southwestern Eggrolls™ or to use alongside wings.
About This Page
is an independent guide and not affiliated with Brinker International or Chili’s Grill & Bar. Menu options, prices & availability may varies by location, so please check with your local restaurant before ordering.
