Smoked Queso Dip
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Silky smooth smoked cheese dip with a kick! This easy Smoked Queso Dip is amazing and has so much flavor. It is made with three types of cheese, ground sausage, salsa and more. That smokey flavor takes it over the top. Grab your chips and dig in!
We love a good queso dip around here and this Smoked Queso Dip might just be my favorite.
It’s perfect for a backyard cookout, tailgating or having a party. We love it with smoked pork tacos! Sometimes I make it simply because I secretly love to dip a Blackstone crunchwrap in it!
You know what? I think it’s even better the next day! That’s right, the smoke flavor really comes out in the leftovers, so make it ahead of time and warm it in a Crock Pot when it’s time for your party. Your search for smoked queso recipes can end here!
Why You’ll Love this Smoked Queso Dip Recipe!
- Super easy ingredients that you might already keep on hand.
- Thick, cheesy and full of flavor.
- Perfect for parties, tailgating and more.
- You can make it ahead of time and keep it warm or reheat in the Crock Pot.
Ingredients for Smoked Queso
- Ground pork sausage – You could also use ground beef or Chorizo.
- Garlic – Jarred or fresh minced works great.
- Pepper Jack Cheese – The perfect kick for this dip. If you want a milder cheese dip use Monterey Jack instead.
- Marble Jack Cheese – So creamy and delicious.
- Velveeta Cheese – Adds a ton of cheesy, gooey texture.
- Salsa – We recommend a thick salsa, but your favorite will do just fine!
- Onion – Either yellow or white is perfect for this recipe.
- Rotel – Canned tomatoes with green chilies, use mild, regular or whatever your taste buds want for spice level. We used a mild.
- Cream of mushroom soup – You can use cream of chicken instead.
- Cream cheese – Makes it nice and creamy.
- Taco seasoning – Homemade or a packet works perfect. We like the reduced sodium package.
Helpful Tools
- 13×9″ aluminum pan
- Non-stick skillet
- Crock pot
- Smoker
How to Make Smoked Queso
- Preheat smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit according manufacturers directions.
- In a non-stick skillet, brown ground sausage over medium heat until cooked through. Drain off grease.
- Add all the ingredients to a 9×13″ disposable aluminum pan. Place on preheated smoker. Smoke for 1 1/2 hours or until the cheese if fully melted, stirring 2-3 times while cooking.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips or your favorite dipper.
What Wood Chips Should I use to Smoke Queso?
We recommend using a strong wood like hickory, mesquite or oak. It doesn’t smoke very long so we like a stronger flavored wood.
What if My Queso is too thick?
If you’d like a thinner queso, stir in a little milk to thin it out. Start with a couple of tablespoons and add until you reach your desired consistency.
How to Store Leftover Queso
Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last 3-4 days.
Can I Freeze Smoked Queso?
You can freeze this smoked cheese dip. Freeze it in smaller amounts and use it up within 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat. Stir the dip well to incorporate all of the yummy ingredients.
How do I reheat leftover Queso?
The fastest way to reheat leftover queso is to add it to a microwave safe bowl and reheat it in 30 second increments, stirring after each, until warmed through.
You can also reheat it in a saucepan over medium heat until warmed through.
Another great option is to reheat in a Crock Pot. This is a great way to keep it warm for a party.
It might be thicker after cooling, if so, just add a little bit of milk to thin it out.
What if I don’t have a Smoker?
You can easily make this in the the oven. Just add everything to the pan and bake at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour, stirring occasionally, or until melted through.
Prefer to make this outside? Prep grill for indirect heat and grill over indirect at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 hours or until cheese is melted.
Another option is to add ingredients to the crock pot and cook on low for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, or until melted and warmed through.
I think this could be a good one in a cast iron skillet over a fire, too. Let me know how that turns out if you try it!
Dipper Ideas!
This smoked queso recipe is perfect for so many types of dippers. What’s your favorite?
- Tortilla Chips
- Potato Chips
- Pretzel Chips
- Pretzel Bites
- Fresh Vegetables
- Crackers
- Pork Rinds
- Bread
- Pita Chips
Pro Tips!
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- If you prefer to use ground beef instead of sausage you can substitute it. Chorizo would also be another great option.
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- We recommend a strong wood chip like hickory, oak or pecan. A competition blend would also be great.
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- No smoker? Prep grill for indirect heat and grill over indirect at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 1/2 hours or until cheese is melted. Add in a little liquid smoke if you have it on hand.
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- This dip develops a brown film on it while smoking or as it is cooling. Just stir it and it will melt into the dip again, incorporating the smoky flavor.
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- If serving it over a period of time at party keep it warm in a Crock Pot.
- Enjoy a little extra heat? Add jalapeños or more green chiles for an added kick!
If you have yet to try out a homemade queso recipe, this is a great place to start! So cheesy, perfect for dipping and just the perfect kick of spiciness. The delicious smoky flavor will keep you and your guests coming back for more!
More Smoked Appetizers!
- Everything is better with bacon like these Smoked Armadillo Eggs!
- After you have these Smoked Deviled Eggs you’ll be making them for more than Easter!
- You aren’t watching the game right unless you have these Smoked Potato Skins!
- This Smoked Salsa is insanely good, so easy to make and would be the perfect partner to this smoked queso.
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Smoked Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork sausage
- 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
- 8 ounces pepper jack cheese cubed
- 8 ounces marble jack cheese cubed
- 32 ounces Velveeta cubed
- 1 cup salsa
- ½ medium onion diced
- 10 ounces rotel
- 10.5 ounces cream of mushroom soup
- 2 ounces cream cheese cubed
- 1 ounce taco seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat smoker to 250 degrees Fahrenheit according manufacturers directions.
- In a non-stick skillet, brown ground sausage over medium heat until cooked through. Drain off grease.
- Add all the ingredients to a disposable 9×13'' aluminum pan. Place on preheated smoker. Smoke for 1 ½ hours or until the cheese is fully melted, stirring 2-3 times while cooking.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
Betsy says
This was excellent. It makes enough for a large crowd. If you have smoking capabilities definitely a recipe to make.
Courtney says
Great to hear! Perfect addition as an appetizer for any meal! 😋
Crystal Laird says
I don’t think I’ll ever be able to eat Queso any other way. So so good!
Courtney says
Right?! So so good! Thank you for sharing you loved it! 🤩
Malinda says
The smoke made this cheese dip so good!! And it was so easy to make!
Megan Mitzel says
Great! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Danielle says
Saving this recipe for game days! It was awesome!
Megan Mitzel says
It’s perfect for game day! Glad you enjoyed it!
Alison LaFortune says
This is beyond! The smoky flavor makes it the best queso ever!
Megan Mitzel says
Totally agree! Glad you loved it!