Spicy Cowboy Queso Dip (Printable)
Bold, creamy cheese dip with chorizo, beans, and peppers—ready in 30 minutes.
# What You Need:
→ Meats
01 - 8 oz spicy chorizo sausage, casing removed
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
03 - 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and minced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
→ Dairy
06 - 12 oz processed cheese, cubed
07 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk
→ Beans
09 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
→ Spices & Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Garnishes
14 - Chopped fresh cilantro
15 - Sliced green onions
# Steps:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chorizo sausage, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes.
02 - Add the diced onion, minced jalapeño, and red bell pepper to the skillet. Sauté until vegetables are soft, about 4 minutes.
03 - Stir in the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, and salt. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly.
04 - Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies and black beans. Stir to combine and heat through for 2 minutes.
05 - Reduce heat to low. Add the processed cheese cubes, Monterey Jack cheese, and milk. Stir gently until all cheese is melted and the dip is smooth, about 5-7 minutes.
06 - Transfer to a serving bowl or slow cooker set to warm. Garnish with cilantro and green onions if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- The chorizo renders its own spices into the cheese, creating layers of flavor you cant get from just adding hot sauce
- This dip stays perfectly creamy for hours in a slow cooker, so youre not stuck reheating it every fifteen minutes
02 -
- Cheese dip can separate if you cook it on high heat, keep the temperature low and slow once you start adding dairy
- The dip thickens as it cools, so stir in an extra splash of milk if it's been sitting for a while
03 -
- Use a whisk instead of a spoon when melting the cheese for the smoothest results
- If the dip gets too thick, never add water, always use milk for creamy consistency