If you’re looking for an easy appetizer that everyone will go back for, this smoked queso dip is one of my go-to recipes. It’s loaded with melty cheese, simple ingredients, and that smoky flavor that makes it taste way better than your typical stovetop queso.
I’ve made this multiple times for quick dinners, game days, and even just to use up ingredients I already had on hand. It’s super flexible, budget-friendly (Aldi ingredients work great here), and honestly hard to mess up.
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Why You'll Love Smoked Queso Dip
- Super easy to make – just mix, smoke, and stir
- Big smoky flavor with minimal effort
- Budget-friendly ingredients you can find at Aldi
- Perfect for sharing – great for parties or meal prep
- Customizable with different meats and spice levels
Ingredients Needed for Smoked Queso
- 20 oz Cheese - Preferred Melted Cheese like Velveeta, this can be the blocked Velveeta or Velveeta cheese slices
- 8 oz shredded cheese like Pepper Jack or Colby Jack
- Ground Beef - Here are some other ideas you can use. Hot breakfast sausage, Mild or Hot Italian Sausage, Chorizo, Ground Turkey
- Taco Seasoning - To flavor the beef. This is optional if you are using a flavored sausage. Try my recipe for Lower Sodium Taco Seasoning
- Rotel Tomatoes - Chop up some Roma tomatoes and chilis instead of using canned to save on sodium.
- Other add-ins - jalapenos, garlic
Substitution and Variations
- Cheese: Use reduced-fat cheese or swap Velveeta for real cheddar + a splash of evaporated milk for a cleaner option.
- Meat: Try ground turkey, chorizo, or make it vegetarian with black beans or Impossible meat.
- Milk: Use unsweetened almond milk or low-fat milk for a lighter version.
- Heat level: Swap jalapeño for green chilies or skip entirely for mild queso.
How to make Smoked Queso
Step 1: Cook the ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. When the beef is cooked through and no longer pink, drain any extra fat. Add taco flavoring to ground beef according to package directions. If using sausage the taco seasoning is not needed.
Step 2: Place the Velveeta, shredded cheese, cooked ground beef and onions, Rotel tomatoes, and jalapeño into a disposable aluminum pan.
Step 3: Place the smoked queso dip on a smoker and close the lid. Smoke at 200 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hr or all the cheese is melted and everything is combined.
Step 4: Grill for 30 to 40 minutes on medium high heat.
You can also put this in the oven until everything is melted and heated through!
Check every 20 minutes and stir and meat together.
What Temperature to Smoke Queso?
The best temperature for smoked queso is 225–250°F.
This allows the cheese to melt slowly without burning while still picking up that smoky flavor.
How Long to Smoke Queso Dip?
- Typically takes 1 to 2 hours
- Stirring helps everything melt evenly
- It’s ready when fully melted and smooth
Best Wood for Smoked Queso
For the best flavor, use milder woods like:
- Hickory – classic smoky flavor
- Apple or cherry – slightly sweet and lighter
- Pecan – a good balance of both
Avoid anything too strong like mesquite—it can overpower the cheese.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with Air Fryer Tortilla Chips (Low Carb), pretzels, toasted baguette slices, or fresh veggies
- Spoon over Blackstone BBQ Chicken Nachos, Weight Watchers Turkey Burgers, burgers, Weight Watchers Microwaved Baked Potato, or these Ground Beef Taco Bowls
- Add to a Tex-Mex charcuterie board with guac, salsa, and smoked chicken thighs
Want more smoked crowd-pleasers? Check out Smoked Chicken Tenders, How to Smoke Cheese (Using Smoker Tube), Blackstone Corn on the Cob (with Grilling Instructions), for your next BBQ lineup.
Frequently Asked Questions
I think it's all in the types of cheese you decide to use. Velveeta cheese is a great melty cheese for queso dip and can get a bit pricey so if you can find the Velveeta cheese slices feel free to use those as well. Just cut them up into cubes before adding them to the pan.
Take as much as you want to eat and reheat it in the microwave for 1 to 2 minutes or until it's melted again.
I have had my Traeger smoker for a very long time and I would recommend that brand to anyone wanting to learn how to smoke food. Traegers are kind of pricey but there are some very reasonably priced smokers for under $100.
Smoker Recipes to Try
If you tried this Smoked Queso Dip Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. I love hearing from you! Please also follow along on Tiktok my page is @jennarecipediaries.
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Smoked Queso
- Prep Time: 10min
- Cook Time: 30 to 40 min
- Total Time: 50 min
- Yield: 8 1x
- Category: Easy
- Method: Smoker or Grill
- Cuisine: American
Description
Add an extra layer of flavor to your queso dip this Summer by smoking it or grilling it. The disposable aluminum pan is great for cooking food on the grill. This recipe can be easily halved or made into more servings if you wish. It will be a hit at your outdoor gatherings!
Ingredients
- 20 oz Velveeta Cheese, cubed
- 8 oz shredded cheese like Pepper Jack or Colby Jack
- 1 pound of Ground Beef *See Ingredients above for substitutes
- 1 1oz packet Taco Seasoning (Reduced Sodium)
- 10 oz can Rotel Tomatoes
- Other add-ins - jalapenos, garlic
- Serve with your favorite tortilla chips
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef and onion in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. When the beef is cooked through and no longer pink, drain any extra fat. Add taco flavoring to ground beef according to package directions. If using sausage the taco seasoning is not needed.
- Place the Velveeta, shredded cheese, cooked ground beef and onions, Rotel tomatoes, and jalapeño into a disposable aluminum pan.
- Smoke at 200 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hr or all the cheese is melted and everything is combined.
- Grill for 30 to 40 minutes.
- Check every 20 minutes and stir and meat together.
Notes
See the Ingredients list above for other alternatives if you don't like beef.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 23g
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 23g
Mogivi says
I make this at least once a month, its so easy and so good! Thank you for sharing this.