Beef chile con queso is a cheesy, slightly spicy appetizer that’s perfect for game day, parties, or casual snacking. Ground beef, green chiles, onions, and a blend of cheeses melt together into a creamy, savory dip that pairs beautifully with tortilla chips, cut tortillas, or fresh vegetables.
Look at that perfect cheese pull. This dip has just the right ratio of beef to cheese so each scoop delivers a satisfying, flavorful bite. It’s rich, comforting, and easy to make—ideal for sharing.
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Helpful
Tips
- Use grass-fed ground beef if you want a richer, beefy flavor.
- Mexican cheese is a blend of cheddar, queso quesadilla, Monterey Jack, and Asadero—use a mix for best texture.
- Velveeta is a processed cheese that melts very smoothly; substitute mild cheddar if needed.
- Melt the cheese gently over medium-low heat to avoid scorching.
- Try dipping more than chips—cut flour tortillas, pita, and raw vegetables work great.
- If you like heat, add a teaspoon of chili powder or more chopped chiles to taste.
How to make beef chile con queso dip
Pre-step
Use a large sauté pan or skillet so you can cook the beef and melt the cheese in one place.
Step one
Gather ingredients: grass-fed ground beef, purple onion, green chiles, Velveeta, Mexican cheese, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Step two
Finely dice a quarter of a purple onion.
Step three
Heat the sauté pan over medium-high. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and wait until it shimmers, then add the diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft.
Step four
Add 1/2 pound of ground beef, 1/4 teaspoon cumin, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a dash of pepper. Break the meat into small pieces and cook for about 5 minutes until browned. If you want more heat, add chili powder to taste.
Step five
Transfer the cooked beef to a bowl and set aside. Reduce the heat to medium-low and return the pan to the stove.
Add 8 ounces of Velveeta (cut into chunks), 12 ounces of shredded Mexican cheese, and about 2 ounces (half a can) of diced green chiles to the pan. Stir constantly as the cheeses melt to form a smooth queso.
When the cheese is melted and combined, fold in as much of the cooked beef as you like. Spoon pico de gallo or diced tomatoes over the top for freshness and color.
Finish
Stir everything together and transfer the beef chile con queso into a serving bowl. Garnish with additional pico de gallo if desired.
Serve immediately with tortilla chips, cut flour tortillas, and guacamole on the side.
Take a chip, scoop generously, and enjoy the melty goodness.
I hope you enjoy this beef chile con queso—it’s a consistently popular dip that’s quick to prepare and full of comforting flavor.
Other delicious dips
- Pepperoni pizza dip
- Warm creamy crab dip
- Chorizo dip
- Chili cheese dip
- Corn dip
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment with your thoughts. I love hearing what you make and how you customize it.
Beef Chile con Queso Dip
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Ingredients
Meat Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/4 purple onion, diced
- 1/2 pound grass-fed ground beef
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of pepper
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces Velveeta, cut into chunks
- 12 ounces Mexican cheese blend, shredded
- 2 ounces green chiles (1/2 can)
Extras
- Pico de gallo
- Tortilla chips
- Guacamole
Instructions
Meat Mixture
- Heat a sauté pan over medium and add olive oil.
- Add diced onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened.
- Add ground beef and cook 5 minutes, breaking into small pieces as it browns. Season with cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer beef to a bowl and set aside.
- Lower the heat, add the Velveeta, shredded Mexican cheese, and green chiles to the pan.
- Stir continuously until the cheeses melt into a smooth mixture.
- Fold in the cooked beef and spoon pico de gallo or diced tomatoes over the top.
- Stir to combine and transfer to a serving bowl.
- Serve with chips, tortillas, and guacamole.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
Notes
Helpful tips
- Use grass-fed beef for a fuller flavor.
- Mix cheeses for better melt and deeper flavor.
- Substitute mild cheddar if Velveeta isn’t available.
- Keep heat moderate while melting cheese to prevent burning.
- Try dipping cut tortillas or vegetables for variety.
- Add chili powder or extra chiles for more heat.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 13 g |
Protein: 54 g |
Fat: 60 g