The Cozy Cookbook is here! 
This Velveeta Queso is loaded with smooth Velveeta and everything a Cowboy dreams of, including Beef, Beer, Black Beans, and more.
Pair this with my homemade salsa and guacamole, and try my easy White Queso recipe next!
Velveeta Queso
We have been making this Velveeta Queso dip for years, it instantly became one of our favorite recipes when we first made it.
Of all of my appetizer recipes, I think I’ve made this one the most. You can even make this in the Crock Pot AND up to 2 days ahead of time. Score.
How to Make it
See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Brown the ground beef and drain any excess grease. Add beer and simmer for 4-5 minutes.
Add Velveeta and Cheddar Jack Cheese, let it melt and stir until smooth.
Add Black Beans, Cilantro, and Red Onions. Stir to combine.
Add Rotel tomatoes and any excess tomato juice until desired consistency is reached. Stir to combine and serve!
PRO TIP: I like to use my 10-inch cast iron skillet for this recipe. Cast iron conducts heat really well and makes everything super flavorful.
Meat Variations
- Ground Turkey, Ground Sausage, and Bacon are all great meat variations!
- OR- You can go meatless if you’d like!
Beer Substitutes
- Chicken or beef broth make great beer substitutes in this recipe.
- Root beer or coke adds interesting flavors in place of beer as well.
Crock Pot Method
Can you make Velveeta Queso in the Crock Pot? Absolutely!
- Brown the meat first, then add all remaining ingredients. Heat on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.
This is the Crock Pot that I have which allows you to sear/brown meat on the stove top within the crock pot dish which eliminates cleaning an extra pan. It also automatically switches to warm if once the time is up!
Make-Ahead Method
This is an excellent dip to fully prepare ahead of time.
- After it’s prepared, let it cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat it over low heat on the stove top and serve once heated through.
- This dip also fits perfectly in this 1.5 quart crock pot. Be sure to stir it on occasion if reheating in this crock.
Try These Next!
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- Homemade Salsa
-
- Jalapeño Poppers
-
- Pizza Dip
-
- Chili Cheese Dogs
-
- White Queso Dip
-
- Baked Tacos
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Velveeta Queso
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. ground beef
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Pinch of Red Pepper Flakes, optional
- 3/4 cup Pale Ale, I use Tuckerman Pale Ale
- 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese, shredded
- 16 oz Velveeta cheese, cubed
- 1 14.5 oz. can Rotel Tomatoes, partially drained
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Cook and crumble the ground beef over medium-high heat in a large, high-walled skillet. Drain any grease once cooked through.
- Add in the crushed red pepper flakes, salt/pepper, and beer. Let the beer reduce for about 4-5 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Add in the cheese and let it melt, stirring occasionally.
- Once the cheese is melted, stir in the beans, red onions, and cilantro.
- Add the tomatoes. You may also add some of the juice if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Let it continue to heat through for about 5 minutes, then serve!
Crock Pot Instructions
- Brown the meat and drain the grease, then add all remaining ingredients to the Crock Pot. Heat on high for 2 hours or on low for 4-5 hours.This is the Crock Pot that I have which allows you to sear meat on the stove top within the crock pot dish which eliminates cleaning an extra pan. It also automatically switches to warm if once the time is up!
Notes
- Chicken or beef broth make great beer substitutes in this recipe.
- Root beer or coke adds interesting flavors in place of beer as well.
Nutrition
Recipe Adapted from The Cookie Rookie
Do you have to use the beer? Can you leave it out?
Hi Molly- Here’s the information from the blog post! 🙂
Beer Substitutes
-Chicken or beef broth make great beer substitutes in this recipe.
-Root beer or coke adds interesting flavors in place of beer as well.
How could I do this in a 3qt. crock pot?
Hi Colleen! Browning the meat and reducing the beer needs to be done on the stove top. You could transfer the finished product to a crock pot and keep it warm though 🙂
This is my 5th or 6th time making it. We devour it every time. The best batch I made was with deer meat. Oh my gosh it was next level! I also add a touch of cumin. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so happy you’ve been enjoying the Velveeta Queso Katherine! I bet it’s so good with deer meat. My husband loves venison, he’d definitely be into that! Thanks so much for the great comments!🩷
This dip is delicious. Definitely a keeper. The only change I made was I used Velveeta white queso cheese instead of the regular Velveeta. I also doubled the recipe and I am so glad I did because everyone loved it and was going back for more. I put out tortilla chips and pretzel bites with it.
Nice work Amy! I’m so happy it was a success. Pretzel bites are perfect for dipping, yummm! Thanks for the great review!❤️
Made this today, I subbed Johnsonville ground chorizo for the beef, used fresh(from dry) black beans. I left out the red pepper flakes as I used chorizo ,and subbed Blue Moon light sky for the beer. Great recipe!!! Simple,easy and quite tasty! Thanks for posting-this one’s a keeper!
I love your choice of meat and beer Vince, nice work! Thanks so much for the great review!🩷
Can you use white queso already made in place of the velveta? Thank you!
Hi Linda, it’s hard to say without testing it and knowing exactly what the consistency of the queso is that you’re planning on using. If it’s a similar consistency to Velveeta, you should be good! 🙂
Hi, can you substitute the beer for a different kind like miller lite? Thanks!
Hi Macee! Yes you sure can, I’ve used Bud Light many times, so I’m sure Miller will be great!
Looks like a great cookbook.
Thanks Carol!🩷
This is one of my absolute favorite dips! I’ve made it several times and am obsessed! It’s great for football weekends. Then add it to a baked potatoes during the week! Yummy! Thank you!
I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying it Jess! This dip is pretty much the only reason I tolerate football lol. Thanks for the great comments!💕
Very easy recipe added sausage with the ground beef and pepper jack and beef broth instead of beer… over all would make it again.
Adding sausage and Pepper Jack make such great additions, my husband would really appreciate the heat from the pepper Jack! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!💗