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!
Get My Free Meal Plan
I’ve got a Free Meal Plan with 7 of my super popular recipes (complete with grocery list)! Sign up for my email list and I’ll send it over now along with weekly dinner recipes!
And follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!
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
I’m so excited to be making this recipe for our NYE-for-2 party. My husband is a vegetarian, so I bought veggie chorizo crumbles. They are frozen and soy based, and I’m thinking I can just dump them in the crockpot with all of the other ingredients and set it to cook. What do you think? Should I cook the frozen chorizo crumbles first and then add to the crock? Thanks for any help you can provide!
Hi Sarah! I’m not a hundred percent sure but my guess would be to cook the veggie chorizo crumbles first. I think that will be your safest bet! Hope this helps, have a great New Year!
This recipe looks and sounds delicious. Velveeta is pretty salty so, is there a way to reduce the sodium?
Hi Camilla, I wouldn’t season the ground beef with any salt, you could also try to cut the Velveeta with some sort of reduced sodium cheese.
Do you have to use Pale Ale, or would regular beer do?
Regular is okay!
This was big hit! The beer adds a different flavor from regular queso dip. I have made this twice now!
I’m so glad you like this Tracy!😀 My husband and his friends absolutely devour this! Thanks so much for the review!
Is this gluten free?
Hi Destiny, the Pale Ale is not, but everything else is!
Outstanding ! A hit everywhere I take it!
Thanks Jeannie!😀 I make this all the time for game days!
Just made this today for Sunday football and it is delicious!!!
That’s great to hear Kim! This is a popular one with my husband and his friends for gamedays!😋
Thinking to try this and keep it warm in a Fondu Pot..What do you think?
Thanks
Kathy
Absolutely! Just give it a little stir now and then!! Enjoy!! 🙂
Thanks soooo very much. I will be making this in a few days to take to a neighbors house..The Fondu pot will be soo helpful:)
You’re very welcome!
Just made this today and really enjoyed it. We used beef broth instead of beer. The cilantro and beans were a nice addition. Also, it was really nice that it didn’t get hard like regular queso does after sitting there. Very full now, thanks for sharing. ☺️
That’s so great Courtney!! I actually served Queso today from a restaurant and it got super hard so I hear you! Should have made my trusty homemade recipe! 🙌🏻 Thank you for the review and tip about the beef broth substitute!!
This tastes like Velveeta after its done. Pretty gross sorry. On my way to the store now because I was supposed to bring an appetizer to a party and I would be embarrassed to bring this.
I mean…what did you think it would taste like?? Oddly rude comment.
This queso is AMAZING, I am from Texas where we take our queso very seriously. I made this for a large group and everyone wanted the recipe. Now whenever we have a potluck people beg me to bring this. Thank you for sharing! Delicious!!
Thanks Katie! You’re right, getting Queso approval from a Texan is a big deal! So happy everyone liked it!!!