Description
Cowboy Queso is a hearty, creamy dip packed with ground beef, sausage, black beans, corn, and melted cheeses, seasoned with chili spices and fresh cilantro. Perfect for parties and game day, this cheesy, savory dip pairs wonderfully with tortilla chips or crusty bread.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Aromatics
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ pound ground beef
- ½ pound ground sausage
Vegetables and Beans
- 1 (10-ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chilies
- 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (15-ounce) can corn, drained
- 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chilies
Spices
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheeses and Dairy
- 16 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cubed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- â…“ cup milk
Garnish
- ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Cook Meats: Add the ground beef and ground sausage to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and crumbled, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed to reduce greasiness.
- Add Vegetables and Beans: Stir in diced tomatoes with green chilies, rinsed black beans, drained corn, and chopped green chilies. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Season and Simmer: Sprinkle chili powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper over the mixture. Stir well and let it simmer gently for 2-3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Melt Cheeses: Lower the heat to low and add the cubed Velveeta and cream cheese. Stir constantly until the cheeses are fully melted and the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheddar and Milk: Gradually stir in the shredded cheddar cheese and milk, continuing to stir until the cheddar is melted and the queso is uniformly creamy.
- Finish with Cilantro: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the fresh chopped cilantro, adding a bright herbal note.
- Serve: Transfer the Cowboy Queso to a serving dish or keep warm in a slow cooker. Serve immediately with tortilla chips or crusty bread for dipping.
Notes
- Drain excess fat after browning the meat to avoid a greasy dip.
- Use fresh cilantro for best flavor, but you can omit if unavailable.
- Keep queso warm in a slow cooker during serving to maintain creamy texture.
- Adjust chili powder to taste for desired heat level.
- Can be made ahead and gently reheated before serving.
