Description
A creamy, spicy, and bold cowboy queso dip made with a roux base and real cheese. This easy appetizer is ready in under 15 minutes and is perfect for parties, game nights, or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound ground beef (80/20 blend)
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth (low-sodium)
- 1 can (4 ounces) roasted green chiles, diced
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 cup Pepper Jack cheese, freshly shredded
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Brown the ground beef in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 5-7 minutes until fully cooked. Drain excess grease, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add butter to the pan. Once melted, sprinkle in flour and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes to create a roux.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and becomes smooth.
- Stir in cumin, chili powder, and roasted green chiles. Simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
- Reduce heat to low. Gradually add shredded cheddar and Pepper Jack cheese, stirring gently until melted. Do not boil.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. If too thick, add a splash of broth. Serve immediately.
Notes
Use freshly shredded cheese to ensure smooth melting; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that can cause graininess. Keep heat low when adding cheese to prevent separation. For a smoother texture, blend half the dip with an immersion blender before adding cheese. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days or frozen for 2 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 14
- Carbohydrates: 6
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 22
Keywords: cowboy queso, queso dip, party dip, cheese dip, easy appetizer, game day food, spicy dip, 15 minute recipe