Description
Creamy, cheesy, and bursting with bold southwestern flavors, this Cowboy Queso Recipe is a fast and easy dip perfect for snacking, parties, or as a versatile topping. With a creamy base of cream cheese and cheddar, spicy chorizo, jalapeños, and savory aromatics, it delivers an irresistible cheesy goodness everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup milk or cream, to taste
Meat
- 8 oz chorizo sausage, crumbled
Vegetables & Aromatics
- 1/2 cup diced onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2–3 jalapeños, diced (adjust for spice preference)
- 4 oz canned diced green chilies (drained)
Seasonings (optional)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Cumin or smoked paprika, optional for additional flavor
Instructions
- Cook the Chorizo: Crumble the chorizo into a skillet over medium heat and cook until browned and fragrant, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to break it apart. Drain excess grease to prevent a greasy dip.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the skillet with the chorizo. Cook until onions are translucent and garlic is fragrant, about 2-3 minutes, creating a savory flavor base.
- Add Peppers: Stir in diced jalapeños and green chilies. Cook for another 2 minutes to soften and release flavors, adjusting pepper amounts for desired heat.
- Melt the Cheeses: Lower the heat and add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese directly to the skillet. Stir continuously until the cheeses melt smoothly and combine into a creamy mixture.
- Adjust Consistency: Slowly pour in milk or cream while stirring until the queso reaches a smooth, dip-friendly consistency. Take your time to ensure a silky texture without lumps.
- Final Seasoning and Serve: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and optional spices like cumin or smoked paprika. Serve warm with tortilla chips, fresh veggies, or as a topping.
Notes
- Use fresh peppers and quality cheeses for the best flavor.
- Melt cheeses slowly over low heat to avoid separation.
- Drain chorizo grease well to prevent a runny dip.
- Adjust jalapeño quantity to customize spice level.
- Serve immediately for optimal creamy texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southwestern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 4 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cowboy queso, queso dip, cheesy dip, chorizo dip, southwestern dip, easy appetizer, party dip