Easy smoked queso dip

Easy, cheesy and meaty! This easy smoked queso dip is a fully loaded, flavor-packed dip that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, a side dish with tacos, or just a snack with tortilla chips.

Growing up, chips and queso were always my favorite go-to snack. I used to buy the jarred stuff and I didn't realize how easy it was to make good queso at home. It's also a lot better tasting too!

To make your queso more filling and delicious, I highly recommend adding meat. In this recipe, I load up the cheese with ground beef and chorizo. You get tons of flavor and each bite is meaty and cheesy. These proteins together provide a filling snack with just the right compliment to the perfect cheese dip.

Ingredients you will need for smoked queso dip

Ground beef

Ground chorizo

Velveeta cheese 

Cheddar cheese 

Whole milk

BBQ rub

Garlic

Optional garnish: tomatoes, pickled jalapeños, green onions

Why Smoke this dip?

I'm certainly not the first person to add protein to a queso dip. I've been to parties and social gatherings where the host has prepared a similar appetizer. But it is almost always served in a crock pot where it's been sitting all day and has developed that nasty, dry film on the surface. You know what I'm talking about-we all move that unappetizing layer out of the way to get down to the ooey gooey goodness.

Sure, you could eat this already perfect dip right away and it would be delicious, but the two hours of smoking heats it up nice and evenly, allowing all the smokey, creamy and cheesy flavors to really meld together. If you have a smoker at home, I highly recommend smoking this cheesy dip with your favorite wood chips for that delicious smoky flavor. If not, you can assemble the dip and just eat it right away. I promise it will still be good!

Where and when to serve this best smoked queso dip

The greatest part about this smoked queso dip recipe is that you can make it year-round and serve it at any gathering. Looking for the perfect appetizer for your Christmas get together, no problem. Easter, Thanksgiving, birthdays, or graduation, your guests will request this dish. I prepare it for all of our game day parties and my friends just can't get enough of it.

Making the smoked queso dip

Start by preheating your smoker to 225 degrees F. I used my Pitboss 1600 Elite Pro Pellet Grill with Bear Mountain Hickory Pellets. Next, take a 50-50 mix of ground beef and ground chorizo and brown that in your cast iron pan. Throw some minced garlic in there and season with your favorite bbq rub to really boost the flavors.

Next, cube up some velveeta cheese into smaller pieces to help it melt faster. Then, in a separate pan, add milk and stir in the cubed cheese until it has melted down to a smooth, creamy consistency. Also, add some shredded cheddar cheese to really round everything out.

Be sure to stir often in order to break down those chunks of cheese. The cheese should be smooth and velvety. Perfect for dipping I'd say!

Once your cheese sauce has melted and thickened, go ahead and combine it with your ground meat and chorizo. You could place everything in your crock pot, dutch oven, or cast-iron skillet and keep it warm while you serve it up or you could smoke it for an extra layer of flavor. That's the option we are going with, every single time.

Smoke the dip for two hours, stirring occasionally to keep everything mixed together and incorporated. Finish by adding diced tomatoes, jalapeños and green onions to garnish your new favorite queso dip. No need to break out your grandmother's china for this simple recipe, but provide the largest bowls you own so that your guests won't have to come back for seconds. But they probably will anyways.

You can serve this delicious dip with chips, veggies, or even pretzel bites. You can also use this recipe as a topping for your favorite meals with rice or potatoes. The options are endless but one thing is sure-you're about to bite into one of the best meaty quesos you've ever had.

Variations

• Protein: Switch up the protein in your queso with breakfast sausage, chopped bacon, grilled chicken, pulled pork, or even brisket.
• Cheese: Go heavy or light on the cheese. I like to use velveeta and cheddar, but you can opt for other types of cheese like white American cheese, pepper jack cheese, gouda cheese, or even cream cheese.
• Chiles: Put in some green chiles like jalapeno peppers or serrano peppers for a spicy kick. Feel free to skip the chiles if you're not a fan of heat.
• Garnishes: Bump up the flavor with some toppings like sliced black olives, sour cream, diced onions, chopped cilantro, guacamole, pico de gallo, or even Rotel tomatoes.

FAQs

What does queso dip taste like?

Queso dip is a smooth, creamy, cheesy dip that is made with melted cheese, milk or cream, chiles like jalapeño pepper, and sometimes with meat like ground beef or chorizo. It's usually quite mild in flavor and heat and goes well with everything from chips to tacos, but it can be spiced up with varying the chili peppers, seasonings, and meat.

What to do with queso dip?

Queso dip is the ultimate party dip that goes well with almost anything. It's one of those easy dishes that can be served as a side dish with tacos, burritos, and nachos. And you can even use it to make loaded fries, top burgers and sandwiches, or dip sliced fresh veggies like carrots, celery, and bell peppers.

How long does leftover queso dip last?

This dip is best served and eaten right away, but when stored in an airtight container in the fridge, it should last up to 4 days. Make sure to reheat the dip in the microwave or on the stovetop until it's warm and bubbly, stirring frequently to avoid burning. If the dip is too thick add a splash or two of milk to help thin it out some.

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