Dip, TOSTITOS, salsa con queso, medium
Whole food · Soups, Sauces, and Gravies
Photo: Wikipedia
Tostitos Salsa Con Queso is a smooth, pourable cheese dip with a mild tomato-salsa undertone, blending processed cheese with chili peppers and spices for a creamy, slightly tangy flavor. Its texture is velvety and dip-friendly, designed to cling perfectly to a tortilla chip. Nutritionally, it's a calorie-dense treat where fat provides the majority of its energy.
Calorie split: 9% protein · 35% carbs · 56% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love it for its effortless, crowd-pleasing combination of creamy cheese and mild salsa heat, making it a staple for game-day gatherings and casual snacking. Its versatility allows it to be used as a dip, a topping for nachos, or a sauce for Tex-Mex dishes.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The dip is high in sodium and saturated fat, and its processed cheese base can cause blood-sugar spikes due to the combination of refined carbs and low fiber. To mitigate this, pair it with high-fiber vegetables like bell peppers or broccoli instead of chips, practice strict portion control, and balance the meal with a lean protein source like grilled chicken or beans.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from fats and carbs.
- Contains some protein from dairy ingredients.
- Offers a convenient, ready-to-serve party or snack option.
- The fat content can help with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins from other foods.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'queso' in its name is Spanish for cheese, but this specific style of processed, shelf-stable dip is largely an American convenience food innovation, popularized by brands like Tostitos for the Super Bowl.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 74.7 g |
| Energy | 133 kcal |
| Energy | 556 kj |
| Protein | 2.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 8.3 g |
| Ash | 2.4 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.60 g |
| Total Sugars | 1.4 g |
| Sucrose | 0.00 g |
| Glucose | 0.20 g |
| Fructose | 0.20 g |
| Lactose | 1.0 g |
| Maltose | 0.00 g |
| Galactose | 0.00 g |
| Starch | 5.4 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 90.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.14 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 7.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 177 mg |
| Potassium, K | 88.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 773 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.44 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.00 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.02 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 3.0 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.60 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.05 mg |
| Niacin | 0.15 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.66 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 33.0 ug |
| Retinol | 24.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 95.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 25.0 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 259 iu |
| Lycopene | 332 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 59.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 1.9 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.11 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 4.8 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.14 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.10 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.11 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 1.5 ug |
| Vitamin K (Menaquinone-4) | 0.30 ug |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.06 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.25 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.3 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.49 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.01 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 2.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.06 g |
| MUFA 16:1 c | 0.05 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 2.1 g |
| MUFA 18:1 c | 2.0 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.02 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 c | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 24:1 c | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 3.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 3.1 g |
| PUFA 18:2 n-6 c,c | 3.0 g |
| PUFA 18:2 CLAs | 0.02 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-3 c,c,c (ALA) | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 n-6 c,c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:2 n-6 c,c | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 n-6 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.10 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.07 g |
| TFA 16:1 t | 0.01 g |
| TFA 18:1 t | 0.06 g |
| TFA 22:1 t | 0.00 g |
| TFA 18:2 t not further defined | 0.03 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.03 g |
| Cholesterol | 9.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Snacks, granola bar, QUAKER, DIPPS, all flavors — USDA does not publish this profile for Dip.
| Tryptophan | 0.05 g |
| Threonine | 0.13 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.15 g |
| Leucine | 0.29 g |
| Lysine | 0.17 g |
| Methionine | 0.07 g |
| Cystine | 0.10 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.20 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.11 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.29 g |
| Histidine | 0.09 g |
| Alanine | 0.17 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.32 g |
| Glutamic acid | 1.0 g |
| Glycine | 0.17 g |
| Proline | 0.34 g |
| Serine | 0.20 g |
FAQ
Is Tostitos Salsa Con Queso gluten-free?
According to the manufacturer's website, this product is not made with gluten-containing ingredients, but it is not certified gluten-free and is produced in a facility that may handle wheat. Those with celiac disease should exercise caution.
Can I use this as a cooking sauce?
Yes, it's commonly used as a sauce for dishes like enchiladas, chili cheese fries, or as a base for a quick chili cheese soup. It may thicken upon heating, so a splash of milk can be added to adjust consistency.
How long does an opened jar last in the refrigerator?
Once opened, it should be transferred to an airtight container and consumed within 5-7 days for best quality and safety.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 1.33 kcal/g · 9% calories from protein · 0.6 g fiber · 1.4 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 8.78 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.