Cowboy Queso Recipe
Introduction
Cowboy Queso is a hearty, cheesy dip packed with flavorful ingredients like ground pork sausage, beans, corn, and fresh lime. Perfect for game days or casual gatherings, this warm dip pairs wonderfully with tortilla or corn chips.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
- 32 ounces Velveeta cheese (cubed)
- 1 bag (8 oz) shredded taco cheese blend
- 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese (cubed)
- 2 cans (10 oz each) Rotel
- 1 can (15 oz) corn (drained)
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans (drained & rinsed)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 lime (juiced)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Tortilla chips or corn chips for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Cook and crumble the ground sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until no longer pink. Drain the excess grease.
- Step 2: Reduce heat to medium-low. Add the Velveeta, shredded taco cheese blend, and cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cheese is melted and smooth.
- Step 3: Stir in the corn, Rotel, black beans, red onion, and lime juice. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes until everything is combined and warmed through.
- Step 4: Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve immediately with tortilla or corn chips. For parties, keep warm in a slow cooker set to WARM.
Tips & Variations
- Try adding chopped tomatoes, green onions, or sliced jalapeños for extra color and spice.
- Use ground beef or turkey as a substitute for pork sausage if preferred.
- Serve with Fritos Scoops for easy dipping and a satisfying crunch.
Storage
Store leftover Cowboy Queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to maintain a smooth texture.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make Cowboy Queso ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dip a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and reheat slowly before serving.
What can I use instead of Velveeta cheese?
Velveeta provides a smooth, creamy texture, but you can substitute with a mild melting cheese like Monterey Jack or a combination of cheddar and cream cheese for a similar result.
PrintCowboy Queso Recipe
Cowboy Queso is a rich and flavorful cheesy dip featuring a hearty blend of ground pork sausage, Velveeta, cream cheese, taco cheese, Rotel tomatoes, corn, black beans, and fresh lime juice. This Southwestern-inspired dip is perfect for parties or casual gatherings, served warm with tortilla chips or Fritos for dipping. The combination of melty cheeses and zesty ingredients makes it a crowd-pleaser with a satisfying, creamy texture and a hint of spice.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern American
Ingredients
Meat
- 1 pound ground pork sausage
Cheeses
- 32 ounces Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 bag (8 oz) shredded taco cheese blend
- 1 bar (8 oz) cream cheese, cubed
Other Ingredients
- 2 cans (10 oz each) Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies)
- 1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 lime, juiced
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
- Tortilla chips or corn chips for serving
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet pan, such as a cast iron skillet, over medium-high heat, cook and crumble 1 pound of ground pork sausage until no longer pink. Drain excess grease from the pan to avoid a greasy dip.
- Melt the cheeses: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the 32 ounces of cubed Velveeta, 8 ounces of shredded taco cheese blend, and 8 ounces of cubed cream cheese to the skillet. Cook and stir until all the cheeses have melted completely and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Add vegetables and seasonings: Stir in the 2 cans of Rotel (diced tomatoes with green chilies), 1 can of drained corn, 1 can of drained and rinsed black beans, 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion, and the juice of 1 lime. Cook and stir for about 5 minutes until everything is well combined and warmed through.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from heat and garnish with 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro. Serve the cowboy queso dip warm directly from the skillet or transfer it to a serving dish. Accompany with tortilla chips or Fritos scoops for dipping. To keep warm for a party, transfer to a slow cooker set on WARM. Optional garnishes include chopped tomatoes, green onion, or sliced jalapeños for extra flavor and color.
Notes
- If you prefer a milder dip, use mild Rotel or drain the liquid from Rotel before adding.
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground pork sausage with plant-based sausage or omit it.
- To keep the dip warm during gatherings, use a slow cooker on the WARM setting.
- Add extra jalapeños or hot sauce if you like your queso spicier.
- Serve immediately for best creamy texture; cheese will thicken as it cools.
- Use fresh lime juice for best flavor rather than bottled lime juice.
Keywords: Cowboy Queso, Cheese Dip, Sausage Queso, Party Dip, Tex-Mex Dip, Velveeta Dip, Appetizer, Snack
