Cowboy Queso

Chips and dip are always a hit at gatherings—especially cheese dip. Cowboy queso is no exception. When you mix smooth Velveeta with savory ingredients like spicy pork sausage, tomatoes and black beans, you transform a drool-worthy dip recipe into something even more flavorful and hearty.

There’s no telling how fast your serving dish will be scraped clean with this cowboy queso. It’ll be gone before you can say “yee-haw!”

What is cowboy queso?

Simply put, cowboy queso is a loaded cheese dip full of southwestern flavors, hence the “cowboy” in the title! It usually includes American cheese or Velveeta, plus beans, tomatoes, spices and ground meat simmered together in a light beer. Seriously, what’s not to love?

We usually serve cowboy queso with tortilla or corn chips. To create a trio of appetizer dips, serve this recipe alongside guacamole and salsa roja. But you don’t have to serve this cheesy concoction as a dip. Pour the queso over a baking sheet loaded with chips to create queso baked nachos. Or pour it over potatoes to make loaded tater tots or stuffed baked potatoes.

Cowboy Queso Ingredients

• Spicy pork sausage: Pork sausage is full-flavored and rich, so you don’t have to add a lot of spices to make the recipe taste great. Grab your favorite store-bought brand, or make homemade pork sausage with ground pork.
• Pale ale or other light beer: A pale ale or your favorite Mexican lager would work nicely here. Stay away from beers like IPAs, sours and stouts, which are too bitter or strong for cheese dip.
• Velveeta and pepper jack cheese: This cheesy combination is bold and flavorful. We love Velveeta cheese recipes because they don’t require thickeners like flour or cornstarch.
• Diced tomatoes with mild green chiles: The mild green chiles in this blend add a slightly spicy edge to cowboy queso.
• Black beans: Black beans have a rich, earthy flavor. If you don’t have them on hand, feel free to swap in other types of beans, like pinto beans, white beans or chili beans.

Directions

Step 1: Brown the meat

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In a large skillet, cook the sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, about five minutes, crumbling the meat as you go.

Step 2: Add the beer

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Add the beer, and cook until reduced slightly, three to four minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 3: Stir in the cheese and seasonings

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Add the Velveeta, pepper jack cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and cayenne.

Editor’s Tip: Cube the Velveeta (or tear it into smaller pieces with your hands) before adding it to the skillet. The smaller chunks will melt more evenly than a whole block.

Step 4: Melt the cheese

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Stir occasionally until melted.

Editor’s Tip: Continue to use medium heat. You don’t want to burn the cheese by trying to melt it too quickly.

Step 5: Add the remaining ingredients

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Stir in the tomatoes, beans and cilantro.

Step 6: Garnish and serve

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Garnish with jalapenos and additional cilantro if desired. Serve with tortilla or corn chips.

How To Store Cowboy Queso

Leftover cowboy queso stores well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. (So feel free to make it ahead, then save it for your game or party day!) When you’re ready to serve, heat the cheesy dip in the microwave, or use gentle heat on the stovetop until it’s warmed through.

Cowboy Queso Variations

• Spice it up: To make a spicier dip, increase the amount of cayenne pepper. You can also add diced jalapenos to the queso itself instead of just using them as a garnish.
• Use another meat: Swap out the pork sausage for the meat of your choosing, whether it’s ground beef, turkey or chorizo. You can also omit the meat to make a vegetarian chile con queso.
• Add taco flavor: Include chopped onion, canned corn and cumin to boost the taco-flavored vibes. You can also add taco seasoning to the pork sausage as it cooks.

Cowboy Queso Tips

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Can you make cowboy queso in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can easily turn cowboy queso into a slow-cooker dip. Brown the meat as directed, then transfer the remaining ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook, covered, on low until heated through, two to three hours, stirring halfway through cooking.

What dishware can you serve cowboy queso in?

We usually serve cowboy queso in a cast-iron skillet. These skillets retain heat well, so they should keep the dip warm longer than a regular bowl or pan could. You can also use a slow cooker on the warm setting (but be sure to stir it every so often so no bits burn on the bottom).

Do you have to use beer in cowboy queso?

Beer adds flavor and complexity to cowboy queso, but you can substitute nonalcoholic beer for an alcohol-free cheese dip. Milk or chicken broth are also suitable substitutes.