Smoky Cowboy Queso Dip Recipe for Parties and Game Day

 

Cowboy Queso evokes images of cowboys — or city folks who love bold, rustic flavors — gathered around a fire, scooping a rich, meaty, cheesy dip onto chips or drizzling it over tacos and nachos. We used smoked cheese for added depth, but feel free to substitute your favorite cheeses. For convenience we assembled the ingredients in an aluminum pan, but any oven-safe pan or large cast-iron Dutch oven will work equally well before placing it on your pellet grill or oven.

Patti and I reserve one evening a week as our date night. Often we fire up our wood pellet grill or smoker, but sometimes we cook indoors and still enjoy dinner on our patio. Our outdoor space has a rainforest theme with ambient lighting, a wood-pellet patio heater, candles and music. We like a relaxed meal with a glass of wine or a strawberry margarita, great food and sometimes even a dance.

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Backyard BBQ
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: About 20 minutes at 350°F (177°C) or until the cheese sauce is melted and bubbly
Grill: Wood pellet grill or tailgater
Pellets: Use a pellet blend you enjoy; we like a robust BBQ blend

Ingredients: Cowboy Queso

• 1 ½ lbs. extra-lean ground beef (90/10)
• 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
• 1 (7 oz) can chopped green chilies, drained
• 1 large can diced tomatoes with chilies, drained
• 2 cups sliced jalapeños (with seeds for heat)
• 2 cups yellow cheese, cubed (Velveeta or similar)
• 2 cups queso blanco, cubed (or another mild melting cheese)
• 2 cups smoked pepper jack, cubed (for a smoky, spicy note)
• 1 cup sweet peppers, chopped
• ½ cup smoked minced garlic
• Taco seasoning, to taste

Backyard BBQ
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe

 

Cooking Directions: Cowboy Queso

1. In a large cast-iron Dutch oven or heavy skillet, brown the ground beef with taco seasoning, smoked minced garlic and chopped onion. Cook until the beef is no longer pink and drain excess fat if desired.

2. Preheat your grill or tailgater to 350°F (177°C). If using the oven, preheat to the same temperature.

3. Transfer the cooked meat to an oven-safe pan. An aluminum pan is convenient for easy cleanup, but a sturdy pan or Dutch oven is preferable for safe handling when hot.

4. Stir in the drained tomatoes with chilies, green chilies, sliced jalapeños, sweet peppers and all cubed cheeses until well combined. Place the pan directly on the grill rack or in the oven.

5. Allow the queso to heat in the smoke or oven until the cheeses melt, about 15 minutes. Stir thoroughly to homogenize the mixture, then let it continue to meld for another 10 minutes so flavors blend and the dip becomes smooth and creamy.

6. Use a large, rigid tool like a pizza peel or sturdy spatula to remove the pan from the grill. Be cautious: thin aluminum pans can bend and spill hot, molten cheese. Consider placing the pan on a baking sheet first for extra support.

Note: Pellet choice is flexible. A recipe provides a guideline, not a rulebook. For temperatures below 250°F (122°C) you’ll get smoke flavor, while higher temperatures produce less smoke and more direct cooking. Experiment with pellet blends to find what complements your ingredients best.

Backyard BBQ
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe

 

 

Backyard BBQ
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe

Serve the queso hot with tortilla chips, warm tortillas, or use as a hearty topping for baked potatoes, nachos, burritos or burgers. Leftovers keep well refrigerated and can be gently reheated on the stove or in the oven, stirring until smooth.

 

Backyard BBQ
A Wood Pellet Grill Recipe

About Our Recipes

We test our recipes on a variety of grills, smokers and outdoor ovens. Our “Wall of Grill” includes pellet grills, wood-fired pizza ovens, charcoal and gas equipment. Many of our recipes translate across different heat sources — pellet, gas, wood or charcoal — as long as you pay attention to time and temperature. Cooking outdoors adds flavor, but when weather forces you inside, an oven or slow cooker can be a practical alternative.

Remember that recipes are outlines meant to inspire. Adjust seasonings, ingredients and cooking methods to suit your tastes. Be creative — try different cheeses, peppers or smoked options to create a version you love.

Live your passion and do what you love,
Ken & Patti

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