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Cowboy Queso

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Cowboy Queso is the ultimate party dip that brings a bold, cheesy, and slightly spicy kick to any gathering. Packed with melted cheese, savory ground beef, black beans, corn, and a touch of spice, this hearty queso dip is perfect for game nights, barbecues, or any festive occasion. Its creamy texture and loaded ingredients make it a crowd-pleasing favorite. Whether served with tortilla chips or spooned over nachos, Cowboy Queso is the perfect blend of comfort and flavor that’s hard to resist.

Ingredients

Scale

Gather these ingredients for your Cowboy Queso:

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies, drained
  • 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 8 oz pepper jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • ½ tsp cumin
  • ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional for extra heat)
  • ½ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 2 green onions, sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook the Beef and Aromatics:

  1. Brown the Beef: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Drain excess grease if needed.
  2. Add Onion and Garlic: Stir in the diced onion and minced garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.

Add the Veggies and Seasonings:

  1. Mix in Veggies: Add the black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes with green chilies to the skillet. Stir to combine.
  2. Season: Sprinkle in the chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper. Stir to evenly distribute the spices.

Melt the Cheese:

  1. Add the Cheese: Lower the heat to medium-low. Stir in the Velveeta cubes and shredded pepper jack cheese.
  2. Pour in Milk: Add the milk or half-and-half, stirring continuously until the cheese melts completely and the dip becomes smooth and creamy.

Finish and Serve:

  1. Final Touches: Stir in the chopped cilantro and sliced green onions.
  2. Adjust Consistency: If the queso is too thick, add a splash of milk to thin it out to your desired consistency.
  3. Serve Warm: Transfer the queso to a serving bowl or a slow cooker set on warm for serving.

Nutrition