Smoked Queso Dip Recipe
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This Smoked Queso Dip Recipe is a creamy, smoky, and cheesy dip that’s cooked on a Traeger pellet grill to make the perfect backyard appetizer!
Whether you’re hosting a big outdoor party or watching the game with friends, this Smoked Queso recipe is sure to be a crowd pleaser. It's the ultimate party dip!
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What Is Smoked Queso?
Smoked queso is a creamy blend of cream cheese, pepper jack and Velveeta cheese that adds a modern twist to a traditional Mexican recipe. This rich, smoky treat has its roots in Mexico, but evolved into a Tex-Mex staple once it crossed the border into Texas.
The addition of spicy peppers, tomatoes and seasonings makes it an instant hit! Cooking it on a Traeger smoker or using a Big Green Egg with wood chips adds an extra layer of flavor. Once you try it, you won't be able to stop dipping your chips!
Even though this recipe is vegetarian, you can add other ingredients like breakfast sausage, taco meat, chorizo sausage and taco seasoning to name a few.
The result? It's the best smoked queso dip recipe you'll ever taste! Plus, it pairs perfectly with favorite dippers like tortilla chips, crostini, pretzels and veggie sticks.
Why You’ll Love It
- Super cheesy: The blend of 3 different cheeses takes this delicious dip to the next level.
- Great Taste: Smoking queso adds an irresistible depth of flavor to its cheesy goodness.
- Layers of flavor: Rotel tomatoes with green chiles add tons of flavor. The addition of ground cumin provides a nice little kick.
- Crowd pleaser: Since it's the ultimate crowd pleaser, this party cheese dip is an instant favorite.
- Easy Recipe: Find the ingredients easily in your local grocery store. Plus, cleanup is a breeze thanks to a disposable aluminum pan or cast iron skillet.
The Secret Ingredient
Dips are the stars of casual gatherings, and this smoked queso is so addictive, it will have your guests asking for the recipe over and over again!
The cooking process is the secret ingredient. Smoking cheese on a pellet grill with mesquite wood pellets allows the smoke to penetrate the creamy mixture. I use a Pro Series 22 Traeger grill (ad) which works great and delivers consistent results every time.
Whether you’re digging in with crispy tortilla chips, spreading it on a slice of crusty bread, or drizzling it over a plate of pulled pork or chicken wings, the result is a heavenly blend of flavors.
Make this cheesy Smoked Queso Dip recipe on your Traeger smoker to enjoy at your next backyard cookout, tailgate party or camping trip!
Ingredients
See recipe card for quantities and detailed instructions.
- Velveeta cheese
- cream cheese
- pepper jack cheese
- Rotel (tomatoes with chilies)
- green onions
- minced garlic
- ground cumin
- cilantro
- milk (any type)
- chives
- pico de gallo
- tortilla chips (for serving)
Equipment Needed
- pellet grill smoker (ad)
- cast iron skillet
- serving spoons
How to Make It
- Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.
- Cube the cheeses and place in a 12-inch cast iron skillet or 13 x 9 inch aluminum pan.
- Add a can of Rotel, green onions, garlic, cumin and cilantro.
- Place cast iron skillet or aluminum pan in smoker. Do not cover pan. Close lid of smoker.
- Smoke the queso dip for 1.5 hours, stirring every 15 minutes until smooth and creamy. If queso is too thick, add milk and stir dip to the right consistency.
- Garnish smoked queso with chopped chives and pico de gallo if desired. Serve directly from the cast iron skillet with tortilla chips or veggies as a dipper!
Variations
Smoked queso dip is a versatile appetizer with many possible variations. Here are a few ways to mix it up a little:
- Try different types of cheese: Use monterey jack cheese, sharp cheddar, gouda cheese – or even a tangy blue cheese if desired.
- Use another cooking process: Make this recipe in a in a slow cooker, crock pot or over a charcoal grill. You'll lose the smokey flavor unless you add a teaspoon of liquid smoke or chipotle peppers to the recipe.
- Spice things up: If you like it spicy, try adding in some chopped jalapeño peppers or chipotle. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, add spicy chorizo!
- BBQ blend: For an all-out smoky BBQ flavor, add pulled pork with a dash of famous Carolina Gold Sauce. The mustardy tang will perfectly complement this creamy dip.
- Add protein: For a meatier dish, add shredded chicken, browned sausage or cooked ground beef with a little chili powder and garlic for extra seasoning.
- Add more veggies: load it up with chopped cauliflower, yellow onion, bell pepper, kale or fresh spinach.
Expert Tips
- Slow and steady wins the race, so remember to be patient. Keep the heat low and slow and let the dip simmer slowly at about 225 degrees F. This will allow the smoke flavor to infuse it's way into the dip.
- Quality matters! Always use the best cheese you can find. Cheese is the heart of this dish, so don’t skimp on quality.
- Stir it up. Try not to get distracted on game days and let your dip burn! Occasional stirring will prevent the dip from scorching at the bottom of the pan.
- Use a disposable pan or cast iron skillet. A disposable foil pan is super convenient, while a cast iron pan has better heat distribution. The choice is yours!
- Don't have a pellet smoker? Add a smoke box to your grill to create that delicious smoky flavor.
Recipe FAQs
To keep your dip from hardening, you’ll need to keep it warm — unless you eat it all right away! A small crockpot or fondue pot set on low heat can help to keep it warm without cooking it further. You may also need to add a little milk or cream to keep it from thickening too much.
When stored in the refrigerator, cheese dip can last for 4–5 days. Just make sure it’s kept airtight. To reheat, simply pour it in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until heated throughout.
As a rule of thumb, no dip should be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. You shouldn’t have much trouble with this, though — it’s so delicious, it’ll be gone in no time.
What to Serve with Smoked Queso Dip
For a truly memorable party spread, there’s nothing like pairing Easy Smoked Queso Dip with a variety of traditional appetizers and hearty main dishes.
Try it alongside crispy Buffalo Chicken Tater Tots — the spicy kick of the tots is a match made in heaven.
Let’s not forget the meat lovers! The best Traeger Smoked Chuck Roast and Air Fryer Chicken Wings are perfect dippers for this cheesy appetizer.
If pulled pork is more your style, then Dutch Oven Pulled Pork or Barbecue Ribs with a side of smoked queso is a must-try! If you haven’t tried it yet, tender, juicy pork with a hint of rich cheese is truly a game changer.
Prefer hand-held treats? Sheet Pan Italian Sliders are a great option and pair perfectly with a little cheese on the side.
Finally, if you’re looking for some variety, try making Homemade Blue Cheese to serve on your appetizer table. Between tangy blue cheese and this amazing smoked queso dip, your guests will have delicious choices on game day!
Storage and Freezing
- Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for 4–5 days, then reheat on the stove in a saucepan over medium-low heat, or in the microwave in 30 second intervals. Add a little milk or cream to help it maintain its creamy texture.
- Freezing: When freezing, make sure the recipe cools completely before putting it into an airtight container. It can stay in the freezer up to 3 months. When thawing, place it in the refrigerator overnight and then heat on the stovetop or in the microwave as suggested.
More Great Appetizers
If you're planning a party, be sure to add a these delicious appetizers to the menu:
Recipe Card
Smoked Queso Dip Recipe
*See notes in blog post for detailed tips, photos and instructions.
Equipment
- 12-inch cast iron skillet (can use a 13x9 inch aluminum pan)
- serving spoons
Ingredients
- 32 ounces Velveeta cheese cubed
- 8 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese cubed
- 10 ounce can Rotel (tomatoes with chilies) undrained
- 6 green onions diced
- ½ teaspoon minced garlic
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup cilantro chopped
- ¼ cup chives chopped (for top)
- ½ cup milk (any type)
- tortilla chips for serving
- pico de gallo (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 225 degrees.
- Cube the cheeses and place in a 12-inch cast iron skillet or 13 x 9 inch aluminum pan.32 ounces Velveeta cheese, 8 ounces cream cheese, 8 ounces pepper jack cheese
- Add Rotel, green onions, garlic, cumin and cilantro.10 ounce can Rotel (tomatoes with chilies), 6 green onions, ½ teaspoon minced garlic, ½ cup cilantro, ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- Place cast iron skillet in smoker. Do not cover skillet. Close lid of smoker.
- Smoke queso dip for 1.5 hours, stirring every 15 minutes until smooth and creamy. If queso is too thick, add milk and stir dip to the right consistency.½ cup milk
- Garnish smoked queso with chopped chives and pico de gallo if desired. Serve directly from the cast iron skillet with tortilla chips or veggies as a dipper!¼ cup chives, tortilla chips for serving, pico de gallo
Notes
- To spice things up, add jalapeños or chipotle seasoning.
- If dip thickens and is hard to stir, add additional milk in small quantities and stir until desired consistency.
- Can be made directly over a campfire or baked indoors in the oven.
- Makes the perfect party dip for outdoor barbecues and cookouts!
- When stored in the refrigerator, cheese dip can last for 4–5 days. Just make sure it’s kept airtight. To reheat, simply pour it in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until heated throughout.
Nutrition
Nutrition info is an auto generated estimate.
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I made this dip last weekend on my Pit Boss grill. It turned out so good. I added crumbled bacon to it and all the guys in my family loved it.
Oh, that sounds delicious Sandra! I'll try adding bacon next time I make this recipe!
This is one of the best cheese dip recipes I've ever seen. I love that it's vegetarian because most of these smoked versions have ground sausage in them. It looks so good I'm going to make it this weekend.
Yay Johnny! Let me know how it turns out!