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Cowboy Queso Recipe

Cowboy Queso Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 48 1x

Description

Cowboy queso brings rustic southwestern charm to your table with melted cheese, spicy chorizo, and bold jalapeños. Ranch-style flavors and hearty ingredients create a crowd-pleasing dip you can’t resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Cheese:

  • 16 ounces Velveeta cheese (cubed)
  • 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese (shredded)

Meats:

  • 0.5 pound ground beef
  • 0.5 pound chorizo or sausage

Vegetables & Toppings:

  • 1 small onion (diced)
  • 1 can (10 ounces) diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel)
  • 0.5 cup black beans (drained and rinsed)
  • 0.5 cup corn (drained if canned)
  • 1 jalapeño (diced, seeds removed)

Spices & Seasonings:

  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt (to taste)
  • Pepper (to taste)

Garnish & Finishing:

  • 0.25 cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

Instructions

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium flame and brown ground beef thoroughly, ensuring no pink remains. Drain excess fat completely.
  2. Incorporate chorizo into the skillet, crumbling and cooking until fully rendered and aromatic.
  3. Introduce diced onions to the meat mixture, sautéing for 3-4 minutes until translucent and softened.
  4. Fold in Rotel tomatoes and jalapenos, allowing ingredients to meld together for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Reduce heat to low and gradually add Velveeta and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring continuously until creating a smooth, velvety texture.
  6. Gently fold black beans and corn into the cheese mixture, ensuring even distribution and heating throughout.
  7. Enhance flavor profile by sprinkling cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, stirring to integrate seasonings completely.
  8. Remove from heat and garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and a vibrant lime juice squeeze.
  9. Serve immediately alongside crispy tortilla chips or rustic bread for a hearty, communal dipping experience.

Notes

  • Customize meat selection by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version.
  • Control spice levels by adjusting jalapeno quantity or removing seeds for milder heat.
  • Enhance flavor depth by using Mexican-style chorizo instead of standard sausage for more authentic taste profile.
  • Prevent cheese from breaking by melting slowly over low heat and stirring consistently during cheese incorporation stage.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican-American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 48
  • Calories: 497
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 395 mg
  • Fat: 36 g
  • Saturated Fat: 14 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 13 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg