Description
Beef Queso Dip is a creamy and cheesy Tex-Mex appetizer made with seasoned ground beef, melted processed and cheddar cheeses, diced tomatoes with green chilies, and aromatic spices. This delicious dip is perfect for serving warm with tortilla chips during game days, parties, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 1 can (4 ounces) diced green chilies
- 2 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Dairy
- 16 ounces processed cheese (such as Velveeta), cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Cook the Ground Beef: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Sauté Onion and Garlic: Stir in the finely diced onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the ground beef. Cook until softened and fragrant, approximately 2 minutes.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper over the beef mixture. Stir well to evenly coat the meat with the spices.
- Incorporate Tomatoes and Chilies: Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies and canned diced green chilies to the skillet. Mix thoroughly and reduce heat to low.
- Melt the Cheeses: Add the cubed processed cheese, shredded cheddar, and whole milk to the skillet. Stir frequently until all the cheese melts completely and the mixture becomes a smooth, creamy dip.
- Finish with Fresh Herbs: Stir in half of the sliced green onions and chopped cilantro into the dip for a fresh flavor boost.
- Serve and Garnish: Transfer the dip to a serving bowl, slow cooker, or cast-iron skillet to keep warm. Garnish the top with the remaining green onions and cilantro. Serve hot with tortilla chips for dipping.
Notes
- This dip can be prepared ahead of time and gently reheated in a slow cooker on low setting.
- For a spicier version, add chopped jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper during the cooking process.
- Substitute ground turkey for ground beef for a lighter alternative.
