Spicy Smoked Queso Dip
Published May 28, 2022 Updated Feb 04, 2023
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If you’re looking for an unforgettable appetizer to accompany you to every single bbq this summer, this spicy smoked queso dip is the appetizer of summer barbeque dreams!
Made over the grill or in a crockpot, and served with tortilla chips, veggies, or drenched over your chicken, you just cannot go wrong with this super easy, flawless queso!
What Makes This Recipe Great
Imagine grabbing a disposable foil pan, throwing in all of your ingredients, placing the pan on the grill, and watching it melt into an amazing, delicious dip that everyone will rave about.
That’s what you’re getting with this smoked queso dip, and your guests will thank you and ask you to make and remake this recipe time and time again. It’s the perfect appetizer dip for any gathering, large or small!
Ingredient Notes
Chorizo: This adds so much flavor to the smoked queso. Make sure to cook and drain this before adding to the rest of the ingredients.
Cheese: For this recipe I used a large 32oz block of Velveeta, cut into cubes, and about 12oz of pepper jack cheese cut into cubes.
Can of Jalapenos & Chopped Green Chiles: These are easy to find at the grocery store. They come in 4oz cans (you’ll only need one can of each). Check the canned goods section or the Hispanic foods section. You can also sometimes find these near the salsa.
Lime Juice: Fresh lime juice really adds to this recipe. You’ll just need the juice of one lime, about 2 tbsp.
Veggies: Roma tomatoes, diced, sweet onion, diced.
Garnish: Jalapeno slices and cilantro
Beer or Milk: While this is optional, using one of these thins it out. The milk will just thin it nicely and the beer will add additional flavor. I love the flavor the beer gives it, but choose whichever you prefer!
Seasoning: Chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder.
Recipe Step by Step
Traeger/Smoker
- Preheat Traeger grill to 250.
- While the grill is preheating, brown the chorizo in a medium skillet over medium/high heat. Once cooked, remove and drain the meat.
- To a large disposable aluminum pan, add the chopped onions, diced tomatoes, diced jalapeñoes, green chiles, seasonings, Velveeta, and pepper jack cheese to the pan.
- Place the pan on the Traeger at 250 for a minimum of 45 minutes.
- Stir the cheese mixture and add either beer or milk to thin the cheese and smoke for 25 more minutes.
- Garnish your smoked queso with jalapenos and cilantro. Serve with warm tortilla chips.
Crockpot
- Add all the ingredients to the crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, or until all the cheese has melted.
- Once cooked, reduce heat to the WARM setting. This will keep the dip hot for serving for up to 4 hours.
Regular Grill
- Heat up your grill.
- Place a pan of water directly on the grate of your grill and fill about two-thirds full with hot water to add moisture inside the grill.
- Place the foil pan of smoked queso ingredients on the other side of the grill over a drip pan.
- Heat until it’s all melted together, stir, and serve!
Mac’s Tips & Tricks
Liquid Smoke: If you choose to use the crockpot or regular grill methods, use a couple of drops of this to add the smokey flavor. You can find these drops at most grocery stores or on Amazon.
Foil Pans: I like disposable foil pans because 1. You can cook in and serve from the same pan! 2. They typically come with lids so they’re easy to transport and store leftovers. Cover with foil before sealing with the lid for extra protection!
Serving: Serve this smoked queso with tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or if you prefer, low-carb chips or crackers!
Recipe FAQs
That’s ok! You can also make this smoked queso on a regular grill. See the printable recipe below for step-by-step instructions.
Yes! See the printable recipe below for step-by-step instructions!
You can use another heat-safe pan if you’d like, but the ease and transportability of the foil pan make it my go-to!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat in the microwave or over the stove.
There are about 12 net carbs per serving of this dip, so while it’s not “keto” per se, it still is considered low carb. Serve with a low-carb veggie or cracker instead of tortilla chips.
More Delicious BBQ Recipes
The Best Slow Smoked Beef Tri-Tip
Print
Spicy Smoked Queso Dip
This spicy smoked queso dip is an easy, crowd-pleasing appetizer that will be beloved by all. Serve with tortilla chips or veggies, & enjoy!
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pound chorizo or hamburger meat, cooked and drained
- 32 oz Velveeta, chopped in cubes
- 12 oz pepper jack cheese cubes
- 4 oz can chopped chiles
- 4 oz can chopped jalapenos
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 1 sweet onion, diced
- Garnish- Jalapeno slices and cilantro
- 1/4 cup beer or milk OPTIONAL*
Seasoning:
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Instructions
Traeger/Smoker
-
Preheat Traeger grill to 250.
-
While the grill is preheating, brown the chorizo in a medium skillet over medium/high heat. Once cooked, remove and drain the meat.
-
To a large disposable aluminum pan, add the cooked chorizo, chopped onions, diced tomatoes, diced jalapeñoes, green chiles, seasonings, Velveeta, and pepper jack cheese to the pan.
-
Place the pan on the Traeger at 250 for a minimum of 45 minutes.
-
Stir the cheese mixture and add either beer or milk to thin the cheese and smoke for 25 more minutes.
- Garnish with jalapenos and cilantro. Serve with warm tortilla chips.
- Add all the ingredients except the beer or milk to the crockpot. Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours, or until all the cheese has melted.
- Once cooked, reduce heat to the WARM setting and mix in the beer or milk to thin it out bit. Make sure to keep the setting to WARM so it will help keep the queso hot for serving. You can keep it on this setting for up to 4 hours.
Regular Grill
- Heat up your grill.
- Place a pan of water directly on the grate of your grill and fill about two-thirds full with hot water to add moisture inside the grill.
- Place the foil pan of smoked queso ingredients on the other side of the grill over a drip pan.
- Heat until it’s all melted together, stir, and serve!
Notes
Liquid Smoke: If you choose to use the crockpot or regular grill methods, use a couple of drops of this to add the smokey flavor. You can find these drops at most grocery stores or on Amazon.
Foil Pans: I like disposable foil pans because 1. You can cook in and serve from the same pan! 2. They typically come with lids so they’re easy to transport and store leftovers. Cover with foil before sealing with the lid for extra protection!
Serving: Serve this smoked queso with tortilla chips, veggie sticks, or if you prefer, low-carb chips or crackers!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish/ Appetizer
- Method: Grill/Traeger/Crockpot
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Keywords: smoked queso dip, spicy queso
I can’t get the print function to work
Hi Monica! The print function is working. So sorry you are having issues. I would try refreshing your page.
This recipe was so delicious! I doubled the recipe for a graduation party and it was all gone by the end. Everyone raved about it. It was so easy to make too!
★★★★★
Im so thrilled to hear this was a hit Felecia. Thank you for your kind words and successful outcome. Happy eating friend!
What would be a good beer to use?
Hi Brittany, I would suggest a beer that is your favorite.
When do you add the lime, the chorizo and the seasonings? All at the beginning?
Hi Mile, yes add all at the beginning.
Best. Queso. Ever.
I made this in my crockpot yesterday, served it at a party, had dreams about it last night, woke up and had a dish for breakfast. The perfect amount of heat. I made it in the crockpot and didn’t use Liquid Smoke (didn’t have any) and it was perfect.
Will definitely be adding it to my party appetizer rotation!
★★★★★
YAY Sarah!!! As I was reading from the beginning to just receive your thrill for this Queso Dip, I laughed so hard at the breakfast treat!!!:-) It’s so fun to find a quick easy recipe to serve that will be the dish everyone wants you to bring or provide at gatherings. Thanks friend for the fun feedback.