• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Cagle Diaries logo

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • Recipes
  • Contact Us
×
Home » Recipes » Snack Recipes

Smoked Queso Recipe


Prep Time :10 minutes mins
Cook Time :40 minutes mins
Total Time :50 minutes mins
Servings :10
Jump to Recipe
close up of someone's fingers dipping a chip into smoked queso dip
two images of smoked queso dip

Published: Jun 14, 2023 · Modified: Jul 31, 2024 by Melanie Cagle · Leave a Comment

This Smoked Queso Recipe has always been a favorite since I saw it all over social media, tasty Velveeta cheese, ground meat, jalapeños and more. Lots of flavors, all you need now is something to dip into it.

overhead shot of smoked queso dip cooked
Smoked Queso Recipe
Save Recipe

WANT TO SAVE THIS RECIPE?

Enter your email below and we'll send you the recipe straight to your inbox (and more recipes sent periodically!)


I especially like to make this cheesy dip during game day get togethers, Superbowl parties etc. As well as if we're going somewhere - it's great to bring to a pot luck.

Jump to:
  • What makes this recipe so yummy
  • Groceries you'll need: Ingredients
  • Recipe walkthrough: Instructions
  • Recipe variations and substitute ideas
  • Necessary gear: Equipment
  • More grilling recipes I think you'll love
  • How to store leftovers
  • Mel's kitchen notes
  • Frequently asked questions: FAQs
  • Smoked Queso Dip Recipe
  • Reader Favorites
  • 💬 Comments

What makes this recipe so yummy

  • Simple ingredients, inexpensive too.
  • Throw all the ingredients into a pan and let it cook in the smoker, easy peasy and some delicious smoky flavor.
  • We are avid hunters, so it's a great way to use some of the ground venison we may have and turns into a delicious dip.
  • Using a disposable foil pan makes clean up real easy.
  • It's the ultimate party dip. Perfect for game days or your next party.

Groceries you'll need: Ingredients

Smoked Queso Recipe Ingredients.
  • Velveeta Cheese
  • Shredded Mexican Cheese
  • Ground Beef, cooked
  • Garlic
  • White Onions
  • Tomatoes and Chilies (Rotel Tomatoes)
  • Jalapeños
  • 1 Cup Evaporated Milk (optional)

See recipe card at the bottom of this post for quantities.

Recipe walkthrough: Instructions

This is an overview of the recipe steps. For more detailed instructions visit the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

  • Step 1: Brown the ground meat then add all ingredients to a large foil baking pan.
  • Step 2: Heat the smoker to 350°F, adding favorite wood chips/pellets.
  • Step 3: Add the foil pan directly to the grill grates, uncovered, and close the lid.
  • Step 4: Smoke for 30-40 minutes, until all the cheese has melted. Serve immediately with favorite corn tortilla chips etc.

Hint: if you have more time and want to cook it lower for longer, feel free. It will add more smokiness to the flavor. It's done when all the cheese has melted, so play with it. It's very flexible.

Recipe variations and substitute ideas

  • Cheese - instead of a Mexican blend, you could use a Pepper Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, gouda cheese or Monterey Jack Cheese.
  • Ground Venison - instead of ground beef use ground venison, or ground turkey.
  • Breakfast Sausage - instead of ground venison use crumbled breakfast sausage, or a spicy pork sausage.
  • Wood Chips - we used Hickory pellets, but you could use your favorite to add your smoke flavor.
  • Green Chilies - add a can of green chilies for tons of flavor.
  • Cream of Mushroom Soup - I've heard people add this to theirs too - so just adding this as a possible variation.
  • Chili Powder - Add some chili powder for more Mexican Flavor.
  • Taco Meat - if you have some leftover taco meat it works perfectly in this dip.
  • Cream Cheese - use cream cheese instead of Velveeta for part of this smoked queso recipe
close up of someone's fingers dipping a chip into smoked queso dip

Sharing is Caring - Like Our Facebook Page

The Cagle Diaries

Necessary gear: Equipment

We have a really great smoker which is just big enough for our small family. I have inserted an affiliate link below to share:

man standing next to a grill flipping meat.

PIT BOSS Wood Pellet Grill

Direct and Indirect Heat - This heavy-duty grill can reach low and slow temperatures of 180°F or hot and fast heat up to 500°F. With the easy-access flame broiler lever, you can cook with indirect heat. Then quickly open the slide-plate flame broiler for 1000°F direct-flame searing

See below in the recipe card for more equipment links.

More grilling recipes I think you'll love

  • Smoked Chicken Thighs - simple and oh so good, smoked chicken thighs are a good value for money right now.
  • Smoked Venison Backstrap - deliciously tender Venison backstrap cooked low and slow for the best results.
  • Grilled Venison Burger - I can promise you this is the best grilled burger you ever tasted, hands down.
  • Smoked Mushrooms - always the best appetizer or side, garlicky and delicious these smoked mushrooms are a definite crowd pleaser.
  • Smoked Asparagus - another delicious smoked side dish.
  • Smoked Jalapeno Poppers - slightly spicy and full of cheesy garlicky goodness that is wrapped in bacon.
  • Smoked Meatloaf - tender, juicy and full of flavors of smoke and hickory.

How to store leftovers

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Once the dip has cooled it will become almost solid, reheat in the microwave in short bursts, or in a pot on the stove.

Mel's kitchen notes

Try reheating in a slow cooker, add refrigerated smoked queso recipe to the slow cooker and turn on high for a short while. Once the dip has warmed through turn the slow cooker to warm just to hold the temperature for a while.

You could even cook this queso dip in a slow cooker, just add a teaspoon of liquid smoke to get that smoked flavor.

overhead shot of a foil pan full of smoked queso dip ingredients

Frequently asked questions: FAQs

Do you cover queso when smoking it?

No, leave the pan uncovered and close the lid to the barbecue grill/ smoker. You'll need that smoke to penetrate the ingredients.

What temperature do you smoke queso at?

We smoke it at 350°F.


If you’ve tried this Smoked Queso Recipe or any other great recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section below, how it turned out, we love hearing from our readers!

If you love this recipe please give it 5 star rating! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You can also follow me on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes!

a loaf tin with banana bread with mayo on a cooling rack

Viral Recipe Alert!

Banana Bread

Due to the secret ingredient in this deliciously moist banana bread it has become one of my most sought after recipes!

Get the recipe
close up of someone's fingers dipping a chip into smoked queso dip
Print (Email Required)

Smoked Queso Dip Recipe

This Smoked Queso Dip Recipe is super easy to make and cooking on the grilled gives the cheese a delicious smokey flavor to it.
Prep Time10 minutes mins
Cook Time40 minutes mins
Total Time50 minutes mins
Servings: 10
Cuisine: American
Author: Melanie Cagle
Prevent your screen from going dark

Equipment

  • BEAR MOUNTAIN Premium Hickory Pellets, 40 lbs
  • PIT BOSS Wood Pellet Grill, 820 Square Inches
  • Disposable 9 x 13 Aluminum Foil Pans

Ingredients

  • 2 Pounds Velveeta Cheese cut into blocks
  • 2 Pounds Ground Beef cooked
  • 16 Ounces Shredded Mexican Cheese
  • 2 (10 Ounce) Cans Diced Tomatoes and Chilies
  • 1 Cup Pickled Jalapeños chopped
  • 6 Cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 Each White Onions diced
  • 1 Each Green Onions garnish

Instructions

  • Brown the ground meat, then add all the ingredients to a large aluminum pan.
    2 Pounds Velveeta Cheese, 2 Pounds Ground Beef, 16 Ounces Shredded Mexican Cheese, 2 (10 Ounce) Cans Diced Tomatoes and Chilies, 1 Cup Pickled Jalapeños, 6 Cloves Garlic, 1 Each White Onions
  • Heat the grill/smoker to 350°F using Hickory wood pellets.
  • Place the uncovered foil pan onto the grill plates and close the lid. Cook for 30-40 minutes then give a stir. Serve with favorite corn chips.
    1 Each Green Onions

Notes

This recipe is also delicious with crumbled breakfast sausage.
Did You Make This?Please consider Leaving a Review!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 621kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 24g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 205mg | Sodium: 1786mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g

Sign Up for my emails and never miss another recipe!

I'll never share your email, or send you spam. Pinkie Promise!

Reader Favorites

  • Close up of a bowl of seafood gumbo with a pile of rice and a spoon digging into it.
    Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
  • Close up of boudin balls with a hint of the mustard cream sauce peeking in, sprinkled with green onions on top.
    Deep Fried Boudin Balls
  • overhead shot of some texas roadhouse grilled shrimp on skewers on top of seasoned rice
    Texas Roadhouse Grilled Shrimp Recipe
  • Overhead shot of a pot full of Cajun Pastalaya.
    Velvety Pastalaya

More Snack Recipes

  • two tacos stuffed with banana pudding
    Banana Pudding Tacos
  • A loaf of hog head cheese, sliced.
    Mock Hog Head Cheese: All the Flavor, None of the Fuss (Easy Pork Terrine!)
  • Close up of a s'mores cupcake.
    S'mores Cupcake Recipe
  • Close up of a lemon jumbles cookie.
    Lemon Jumbles
120 shares
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Email

Filed Under: Appetizers, Beef Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Grilling Recipes, Lunch Recipes, Smoker Recipes, Snack Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

No Comments

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating





Primary Sidebar

Momma Cagle!

Picture of Melanie Cagle standing in front of her stove, in the kitchen.

I'm Melanie, I am mom to two beautiful children and married to James - my American sweetheart (I'm British).  A transplant in Houma, South Louisiana I have found a love for all Cajun and Creole food.
Learn more about me...

CAJUN FAVORITES

  • Bowl of crawfish etouffee with rice scoop in the middle.
    Cajun Crawfish Etouffee
  • Close up of boudin balls with a hint of the mustard cream sauce peeking in, sprinkled with green onions on top.
    Deep Fried Boudin Balls
  • A tray of boiled crabs with veggies and dipping sauce.
    Authentic Louisiana Crab Boil Recipe: Spicy Cajun Seafood Feast
  • Close up of a bowl of seafood gumbo with a pile of rice and a spoon digging into it.
    Authentic Louisiana Seafood Gumbo Recipe
  • A large platter of fried catfish nuggets with some lemon wedges and a tartar sauce.
    Fried Catfish Nuggets
  • Close up of some pinto beans and sausage on a spoon over a crock pot.
    Crock Pot Pinto Beans

Footer

↑ back to top

About

as seen on logo images

Terms & Conditions | Accessibility Policy | Contact

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

©2025 Copyright The Cagle Diaries. All rights reserved.

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required