Smoked Queso

4.50 from 10 votes
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Smoked Queso – a kicked up version of your favorite cheese dip! Loaded with sausage, three kinds of cheese, onion, jalapeno and tomatoes. Smoky, cheesy goodness that is great for any occasion.

When you think of firing up the grill or smoker, you most of the time think of making dinner – grilling Classic Hamburgers or Smoking Baby Back Ribs. But there is so much more you can do to take some of your favorite recipes to a whole new level.

This Smoked Queso will pretty much change the way you think of queso. It gets a hint of smoky flavor that takes it over the top, and makes it something special. Whenever we are having people over, this is the most requested recipe!

dipping a chip in queso dip

 

What’s In Smoked Queso

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  • Velveeta – love it or hate it, it melts so well and makes a great base for this dip
  • Sausage – I like Jimmy Dean Hot Breakfast Sausage, but any kind will work!
  • Onion
  • Jalapeno
  • Pepper Jack Cheese
  • Mexican Blend Cheese
  • Rotel Tomatoes
ingredients for queso in cast iron skillet

How To Make Smoked Queso

This cheese dip could not be easier to make. You literally dump everything in a pan and let it cook on the smoker for a couple hours.

  1. Brown the sausage and drain the grease away.
  2. Add all of the ingredients into a large cast iron skillet or a disposable aluminum tray that can go on the grill.
  3. Place the pan a smoker at 250º F and let it cook for 2 hours.
  4. After 1 hour you want to give it a good stir as the cheese has started to melt and you don’t want it getting baked in the bottom of the pan.
  5. Remove it from the smoker or grill after it is full melted and combined and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
putting pan of queso ingredients on smoker

What If I Don’t Have A Smoker

You really can make this dip without a smoker. You can throw the pan on your grill, in the oven, in a slow cooker, or even in the microwave. All you are doing is melting the cheese and bringing it all together. The smoker does give it a hint of smoke flavor, but it is still absolutely delicious without it. Or you can add a splash of liquid smoke to get some of that flavor as well.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

  • Velveeta is one of those ingredients that people either love or hate. In my house, this is the only recipe we use it for. We aren’t really fans. BUT it works so well as the base of this queso. It melts so well and so smooth. Plus there is enough other ingredients that you can taste that it is Velveeta. But if you want to use another cheese, you absolutely can.
  • Great to make ahead. You can make and even cook this queso before you need it. Pour the dip into a crockpot and heat over low heat. It will stay nice and warm. Just give it a good stir every once in awhile.
  • Don’t like things spicy? You can leave out the jalapeno, or just leave out the seeds and ribs of the pepper. You can also use the mild version of Rotel tomatoes and ground beef or a plain breakfast sausage to cut down on the heat a little.
queso in a cast iron skllet

How To Serve Smoked Queso

This hot cheese dip is delicious with tortilla chips or Fritos corn chips. And it is great to make for get togethers. You can serve as an appetizer, take tailgating, or make for game day.

Make smoked queso ahead of time to get the smoky flavor and then put in your crock pot to keep it warm. That way it is perfect to take to your party or tailgating. You can also easily double the recipe to make it for a big crowd!

Storage

This does make a lot, so we always end up with some leftovers. Cover or place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 4 days. You can reheat in a saucepan or in the microwave.

More Great Recipes For Your Smoker

close up hot cheese dip
4.50 from 10 votes

Smoked Queso

By Erin
Smoked Queso – a kicked up version of your favorite cheese dip! Loaded with sausage, three kinds of cheese, onion, jalapeno and tomatoes. Smoky, cheesy goodness that is great for any occasion.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total: 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12

Ingredients 

  • 1 pound hot breakfast sausage
  • 2 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 2 cups Mexican cheese blend
  • 2 10 oz cans Rotel tomatoes
  • 8 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed
  • 1 jalapeno, finely chopped
  • 1 onion, finely chopped

Instructions 

  • In a skillet brown sausage, breaking into small pieces. Once it is no longer pink and is cooked through, drain the fat away and set aside.
  • Preheat smoker to 250º F.
  • In a 13×9 inch aluminum disposable pan or large cast iron skillet add all of the ingredients. Mix until they are mostly combined.
    putting pan of queso ingredients on smoker
  • Place the pan on the smoker and cook for 2 hours, stirring half way through the cook time.
    queso ready to stir
  • Once it is hot and bubbly remove from the smoker and serve with your favorite chips.

Nutrition

Calories: 498kcal | Carbohydrates: 11g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 38g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 128mg | Sodium: 1755mg | Sugar: 7g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12
Calories: 498
Like this recipe? Leave a comment below!

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About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and I’m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, you’ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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