Description
This Cowboy Queso Dip is a hearty, flavorful creation that combines creamy cheese with savory ground beef and vibrant spices. Perfect for game day or any gathering, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound lean ground beef (85-90%)
- 1 yellow or white onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 fresh jalapeño, minced
- 1 (10-ounce) can canned diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), drained
- 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 can corn, drained or about 1 cup frozen corn
- 16 ounces processed cheese (like Velveeta), cut into cubes
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the Beef: Grab a large skillet or a Dutch oven and place it over medium-high heat. Add your ground beef and break it apart with a wooden spoon. Cook until it's completely browned, about 5-7 minutes. Once cooked, thoroughly drain any excess fat from the pan. Remove the beef from the skillet and set it aside, leaving about a tablespoon of fat in the pan if possible, or add a little oil.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Reduce the heat to medium. Add the diced onion and minced jalapeño to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and becomes translucent, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Now, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Combine & Simmer: Return the browned ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed aromatics. Stir in the drained can of diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), the rinsed and drained black beans, and the drained corn. Sprinkle in the chili powder, cumin, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good stir to combine all those fantastic flavors. Let it simmer gently for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Melt the Cheese: Reduce the heat to low. Add the cubed Velveeta (or your preferred cheese combination) and pour in the beef broth. Stir constantly, gently, until all the cheese has melted and the dip is wonderfully smooth and creamy. This can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes. If the dip seems too thick, add another splash of beef broth or milk until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Taste and Serve: Give your Cowboy Queso a final taste and adjust any seasonings if needed. Once it's perfect, transfer it to a serving bowl or keep it warm in a slow cooker. Serve immediately with your favorite tortilla chips, Fritos, or veggie sticks.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: For a lighter option, substitute ground turkey for the beef. For a vegetarian version, use plant-based ground crumble. Adjust the heat by removing jalapeño seeds or using diced green bell pepper for a milder dip.