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Smoked Queso Dip

5 from 1 vote
Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
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This easy, one pan Smoked Queso Dip is the ultimate appetizer for tailgating, holidays, and parties. It has two types of cheese, sausage, Rotel with chilies, onion, garlic, and does not lack in smokey flavor. Don’t have a smoker? No worries, you can make it in the oven or slow cooker.

For more smoker recipes check these popular ones: Smoked Buffalo Chicken Dip, Smoked Cream Cheese, and Smoked Baked Beans.

Cheesy Smoked Queso Dip in a pan with a spoon ready to scoop out.

Why This Smoked Queso Dip Recipe is the BEST!

  • Quick to assemble- Literally throw everything together and pop it in the smoker.
  • Versatile recipe- The ingredients are pretty straight forward which makes it even easier to add, substitute, or take away anything. I give some fun suggestions down further in the post. You can also make this in the oven or slow cooker if for some reason you cannot smoke the dip.
  • Easy clean up- If you use a disposable aluminum pan there is literally no clean up, just throw it in the trash.

Video Tutorial:

Ingredients for Smoked Queso

  • Velveeta Cheese: This is essential for a perfectly melty and delicious queso.
  • Ground Breakfast Sausage: Be sure to strain off any grease (you don’t want that in the dip).
  • Rotel with Chilies: Feel free to use mild or spicy, you can also use diced tomatoes if you do not want any spice.
  • Mexican Cheese: You can never have enough cheese in queso, am I right?
  • White Onion: Peel and finely dice the onion.
  • Evaporated Milk: Feel free to use regular milk in it’s place.
  • Garlic Powder: You can also use fresh minced garlic.
  • Salt and Pepper: Add these to suit your taste preferences.

PRO TIP: Easily double or triple this recipe to feed a crowd. Or if you want a smaller amount, cut the recipe in half.

Ingredients. Velveeta cheese, breakfast sausage, rotel and chilies, mexican cheese, diced onion, evaporated milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

How To Make Smoked Queso Dip

This is a short summary of the steps, the recipe card below will have more details.

  1. Preheat smoker with the pellets of your choosing.
  2. Prepare the ingredients (brown your sausage, dice the onion, cut up the velveeta, etc).
  3. Combine everything together.
  4. Smoke your dip.
  5. Serve with the dippers of your choice and eat immediately.

PRO TIP: If you are serving this at a party or want it to stay melty longer, place the queso in a slow cooker on the “keep warm” or low setting.

Ingredients in an aluminum pan ready to go in the smoker.

Dippers to Serve With Smoked Queso Dip

The obvious option is tortilla chips because “duh,” chips and dip. But here are some more ideas for you to try out:

  • fresh vegetables
  • Doritos and other chips
  • pretzels (soft pretzel bites would be so good)
  • pita chips
  • crackers
  • toasted bread slices
  • pork rinds

Smoked Queso Variations

This dip is very versatile and you can do pretty much anything with it. Try some of these fun suggestions:

  • jalapenos (fresh or pickled)
  • a can of black beans (drained)
  • different meats: chorizo, ground beef, pulled pork, chicken strips, etc.
  • other cheese: pepper jack cheese, mozzarella, etc.
  • 1 ounce packet of taco or chili seasoning
  • diced multi colored bell peppers
  • black olives
Close up of Smoked Queso Dip

What Kind of Pellets Should I Use For Smoking Queso Dip?

For this recipe I used a mixture of Apple and Competition Blend pellets by Pit Boss. I think mild wood pellets work best because you do not want it to be overwhelmed with smoke. Great mild wood pellets include apple, cherry, maple, oak, or a combination. Flavors like mesquite and hickory are stronger but can still work. Just keep in mind, every pellet has a different flavor and smoke strength.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Why is my Smoked Queso Dip so thick?

It is most likely because there was not enough liquid (evaporated milk) added. All you have to do is add a splash of evaporated milk or regular milk and stir it in well. This will help thin out your queso without altering the flavor.

Can I make this Smoked Queso Dip without a smoker?

Yes, but keep in mind it will not have the smoky flavor (unless you add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke). Anyways this dip can be made in the oven and also in a slow cooker. In the oven follow the same instructions as if you were smoking it. In the slow cooker you will cook it on low, stirring every 20 minutes, until it is melty and delicious.

Can I make Smoked Queso Dip ahead of time?

Yes! What I like to do is make the dip no more than three days in advance. When I am ready to serve it I throw it into my slow cooker and heat it back up on low, stirring every 20 minutes, until it is ready to eat. You may have to add a little more evaporated milk, salt, and pepper (just taste test it).

Can I freeze Smoked Queso Dip?

Dairy tends to not freeze well so I do not recommend freezing this dip.

Pan of melty Smoked Queso ready to eat.

Looking For More Delicious Dips?

More Smoker Recipes To Try:


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Enjoy Entirely, Elizabeth
Cheesy Smoked Queso Dip in a pan with a spoon ready to scoop out.

Smoked Queso Dip

Elizabeth Swoish
This Smoked Queso Dip brings traditional queso to a whole new level. It is smokey, creamy, and loaded with tons of flavor. This cheesy appetizer is easy to make, versatile, and enough to feed a crowd of people.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Smoker Time: 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Appetizer, Snack
Servings 16
Calories 327 kcal

Equipment

  • Smoker; I use a Pit Boss Vertical Smoker
  • 13×9 Aluminum Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 2 pounds Velveeta cheese
  • 2 pounds breakfast sausage; cooked and crumbled
  • 2 cans Rotel with Chilies; 15 ounces
  • 1 can evaporated milk; 12 ounces
  • 1 cup mexican cheese
  • 1 yellow onion; finely diced
  • 4 teaspoons garlic powder
  • salt and pepper; to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat smoker to 200° F. I used a mixture of Apple and Competition Blend pellets by Pit Boss.
  • In an aluminum pan add all the ingredients and stir to combine.
  • Smoke for 2 hours, stirring every 20 minutes.
  • Remove the Smoked Queso Dip from the smoker and eat immediately with dippers of your choice.
    NOTE: If you are serving this at a party, or want it to stay melty longer, place the queso in a slow cooker on the "keep warm" or low setting.

Video

Notes

Storing Information:
  • Refrigerated in an airtight container for up to one week. 
  • Freezing is not recommended.
Reheating Information:
  • Microwave for 30-60 seconds.
  • On the stove over medium heat until warmed through.
  • In the slow cooker on low until warmed through.
Instructions for Baking in the Oven:
  • Follow the directions exactly the same (add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke if you want), as if you were smoking it. Bake at 200° F for two hours, stirring every 20 minutes.
Instructions for Making in the Slow Cooker:
  • Cook on low, stirring every 20 minutes until melty (add a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid smoke if you want).

Metric conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.

Keyword QUESO DIP, SMOKED QUESO, SMOKED QUESO DIP, SMOKED QUESO DIP RECIPE, SMOKED QUESO RECIPE

If you make my Smoked Queso Dip, don’t forget to leave this recipe a rating, comment, or like. Tag me on social media using the hashtag #EntirelyElizabeth when sharing your own personal photos making this recipe. I would love to see your version and know your thoughts!

By Elizabeth Swoish on September 15th, 2022

1 thought on “Smoked Queso Dip”

  1. 5 stars
    Made this for my family to watch the Super Bowl and I will never make traditional rotel dip again! This was so good, extremely flavorful and the smokiness was wild. Will make this recipe from now on.

    Reply

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