Slow Cooker Spicy Beef Queso Dip
Tonight is the first night of football season, which is the perfect excuse to make and consume as many awesome appetizers as possible between now and the beginning of February. Not that I need an excuse, of course. I’m happy to consume anything that’s cheesy and bubbling and served with a side of carbs at any point during the year. Football season just makes it a tad more acceptable to call chips and dip lunch… and I tend to do that on a regular basis during the fall. Which leads me to this dip. It was my lunch on Monday. I’m so not sorry about that decision. I’ve made a number of cheesy dips, and as far as queso goes, the one I made to go along with my soft pretzel nuggets is definitely my favorite 100% from-scratch recipe. However, sometimes there are last minute plans and you need something quick for a crowd. THIS is for those times.
How To Make Slow Cooker Spicy Beef Queso Dip
To make this, I started by browning ground beef with an onion, then cooking it down with a huge jalapeño and my homemade taco seasoning mix (although you could use store-bought packets). I threw that in the slow cooker with Velveeta (I know, but seriously, once in a blue moon/everything in moderation/etc etc) and two cans of Rotel. The cooking time will vary a bit depending on the size of your slow cooker (the smaller the slow cooker, the longer it will take), but everything should be nice and melted down together within two hours. Then, just keep it on warm, give it a good stir, grab your chips and dig in.
I think you could also do a similar version with sausage instead of the ground beef that would also be insanely good. If doing that, I would omit the onion, jalapeño, taco seasoning and water.
A question that always comes up with a recipe like this one is how spicy is it?! I find spiciness so subjective and hard to gauge because everyone tolerates spice somewhat differently. What one person considers mild another might consider really spicy. For my personal palate, I would give this a mild to medium on the mild/medium/hot scale. If you’d like to tone down the spice, you can omit the jalapeño and use mild Rotel instead of the original.
However you make it, I guarantee you’ll have people standing over your slow cooker, dipping chip after chip, as was the case at my house on Monday. This is a crowd-pleaser, if there ever was one.
One year ago: Zia Lena’s Date Bar Cookies
Two years ago: Almond-Apple Crisp
Three years ago: Chunky Peanut Butter Cookies
Four years ago: Banana-Nut Oat Bran Muffins
Five years ago: Coffeecake Muffins
Seven years ago: Chocolate Rum Cheesecake
Crock-Pot Spicy Beef Queso Dip
Ingredients
- 1 pound (453.59 g) ground beef
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 1 large, or 2 small jalapeños, seeded and finely minced
- ⅔ cup (166.67 ml) water
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix, homemade or store-bought
- 32 ounces (907.19 g) Velveeta cheese, cut into cubes
- 20 ounces (566.99 g) canned Rotel
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and onion over medium heat until the meat is no longer pink. Drain. Add the jalapeños, water and taco seasoning, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring frequently, until the liquid has evaporated. Remove from heat.
- In a 4 to 6-quart slow cooker, add the prepared beef mixture, the Velveeta cheese and the cans of Rotel. Stir well and cook on low until the cheese is completely melted, 1 to 2 hours. Keep the slow cooker set to warm to serve during a party, giving the mixture a good stir before serving.
Notes
Did you make this recipe?
Leave a review below, then snap a picture and tag @thebrowneyedbaker on Instagram so I can see it!
I made this last year for Super Bowl Sunday and it was a hit. Going to make it again this year. It really hit the spot
I’ve made this many times and everyone has loved it!
Could this work with crab meat? And substitute the tace seasoning for Old Bay? 🤔
Hello,
Is there a way to make half the serving size?
Hi Marisa, Sure, just divide the ingredients in half!
I made this for a “pre-Super Bowl” snack and it was a huge hit. Also, we had bought hotdogs from our local meat market, so we put the cheese on top of the pretzel bun hotdogs 😋
I am always on the lookout for new slow cooker recipes. I am glad I have found another yummy slow cooker recipe, tried it last weekend and it was super delicious.
Great recipe, Delicioso- everyone loved it!!
Still the BEST queso recipe I have used in over 5 years. Don’t understand why it’s not #1 on the search list.
Great queso!! Now if I double this will it still take 1-2hrs
To melt??
So glad you enjoyed it! It may take a little longer, but probably not too much longer if I had to guess.
Can this be made a day ahead of time and kept in fridge?
My aunt makes this for almost every get-together! So glad that I now have the recipe. I love that you can just set this up in a crockpot and keep it warm for hours. So delish.
Everyone loved it but I tasted a sweetness to it that I didnt care for. I read the ingredients in the taco seasoning and the fourth ingredient was sugar. Maybe that’s why.. I will get a different pack next time and read the back more carefully
Or maybe buy McCormick seasoning. Like someone else suggested.
This recipe is great and a staple for our tailgating. A few changes we occasionally make:
-no jalapeños (dad’s allergic) so we use bell peppers instead
-use 1lb hot sausage instead of ground beef (so we don’t miss that spicy kick!)
-use Velveeta Queso Blanco instead of regular
We switch back and forth and love both!
Do you drain the Rotel?
Nope!
Been using this recipe for years now. Making it again tonight for tomorrow. Only change I’ve made is that I use beer instead of water, because beer.
Made this for a work potluck and it was a hit! So good and flavorful. Will definitely make again!
I do mine with Italian sausage!
This was delicious. I made it for a party I was going to and people raves about it. I used 1 can of the hot Rotel and 1 can of the fire roasted.
Love it
Fantastic! There’s a restaurant near us that has a similar dip that my my husband likes, which is why I wanted to make this one. Well this one is much better! Definitely a keeper!
It looks so delicious, I have to try it. Thanks for the recipe.
This looks delicious!! Should I double this for a party of 15 or should I just make the one batch? If I should double it…would it all fit in a 4 qt crockpot? Thanks!
Can you freeze the leftovers? I could never eat this much!
Hi Lindsay, This definitely works great for a party or large gathering. I’ve never tried freezing it, so I can’t say for sure, but it SHOULD be okay. You might need to thin it out once you reheat it.
How long does this recipe using ground beef keep in the refrigerator?
Hi Kathy, You could keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, and reheat as needed.
I can’t wait to make this for a neighborhood ladies party! Would you double this recipe if it was for 30 or so people? There will be other food items too! Thanks!
Hi Maria! Yes, I would definitely double it, this always goes so fast when we make it!
I made this recipe for the first time tonight, it was so flavorful and yummy. Definitely going to be making this again. Thank you!
I have been making this recipe since 1972 and all the guys hang around the crock pot until it’s empty. A meal unto itself.
I left out the Ro-Rel and jalapenos, and only used 2/3 of a yellow onion, but it is a huge hit with my family. I almost didn’t have enough for everyone,ad they kept going back for more!
Super easy and was a big hit at two different parties. One note make a double batch …….
This looks so good! I was wondering with the leftovers if it would work to cook up some Elbow Macaroni Noodles and mix together? I am wondering what will happen if we refrigerate the leftovers and reheat it? Would it work or will it kinda separate?
Thanks for your blog! Keep up great work!
Just saw it reheats really well. Sorry
I do it with hot italian sausage and yes it is amazing
Michelle:
I love the sounds of this recipe — but I Just. Cannot. Do. Velveeta!!! ? I have such an aversion to even the thoughts of it. But so many otherwise-awesome-sounding hot dip recipes call for it.
Can ANYTHING ELSE be substituted!?
#PleaseHelp!!! ? Thank you!
Hi Lynn, You could try a mix of American and cheddar. The American has a similar creamy texture.
What is the point of adding the water to the meat?
Just to help mix the taco seasoning with the meat. Same thing you do when you make regular tacos with the seasoning packets.
Ditto Jamie! Helps to cook the seasoning down and absorb into the meat.
We lived in Houston for 11 years and know TexMex. We now live in the Pacific Northwest and I’ve made this recipe a number of times here the past few years (including this weekend) and people love it so much. I’d say this recipe would be good for at least 20 people. We had 12 adults + 5 kids for dinner this weekend and still had at least 1/3 leftover (which we never mind because we eat it with leftovers). If it’s a snacking event (where people graze for hours), they go through more of it. I always use about half the amount of onion a recipe calls for and did so again here. I’ve had one comment that it’d be better without the onion but I don’t actually care for onions and I don’t even notice them myself. So good! Thank you so much!
Would it be crazy to replace the beef in the recipe with a mushroom of some sort? Or would it be better to leave it out altogether if you have some guests that are vegetarian?
Hi Kyle, I would just omit the meat and make the dip as a straight queso.
How long is it safe to keep this dip. I’d like to make it a few days ahead due to scheduling issues…wasn’t sure with the meat …don’t want to make people sick!
Can this be made the night before? I have a small get together about 2 hours from my house and was thinking I could make it the night before, put it in the refrigerator and take it to my friend’s house and our it on to heat up. I know some things don’t reheat well so just wondering if this will hold up to reheating?
Hi Nichole, Yes, this reheats very well! Enjoy!
I have a fryer/crock pot, what temp should I set it at to keep warm and not burn?
Hi Lori, A crock pot should be set to “warm”. I am not sure how you could put this in a fryer?
It is a deep fryer that has a crock pot. it’s called a chef’s pot. I can’t post a picture, but it’s a like an electric skillet but shaped like a deep fryer. It has a crock pot that you put in the fryer the temperature gauge goes from simmer to 400 degrees.
Hi Lori, I think I would set it to 200 or 250 degrees F to keep warm.
I made this last night with jalapeños I have left from my garden & my family absolutely loved it!! I added a pkg of cream cheese, about a cup of sharp cheddar cheese, & a tiny bit of milk. Love!! Rotel has a fire roasted kind I want to try next.
This sounds lovely. Going to give this a go. thanks for sharing this recipe.
Simon
Any ideas for a vegetarian version of this
Hi Brigid, You could just omit the meat, in which case you would still have a very good spicy cheese dip.
I’ve heard that black beans instead of the meat is really good in it.
I made this today for a large group and it was a hit. I needed it quicker than 2 hours so I placed the cubed cheese in the crockpot covered on high while I was cooking the meat. I added 2 tablespoon of McCormicks Mexican seasoning instead of the taco seasoning. I put the hot hot meat on top of the cheese then placed the 2 cans of Rotel in the pan that I cooked the meat in and warmed it to a hot temperature then put in the crockpot and stirred all the ingredients together. I cooked it on high for 30 minutes, stirring frequently.
To this wonderful recipe, I add a pile of fresh spinach and a block of cream cheese!
I made this for Super Bowl 2015, and it was awesome!! Had my guest asking for more!
The only thing I am adding to this dish which I am making today is some franks hot sauce and cilantro! Can’t wait to try it!
Do you cook on high or low?
Hi Heather, Cook on low, that’s listed in step #2 of the directions above.
I made this over the weekend for party that I attended and it turned out amazing. I made one change because my Giant has Velveeta cheese with jalapeños already in it. I purchased that instead of fresh jalapenos. When I got home, I noticed that the cheese is actually white queso cheese instead of the normal yellow cheese and it tasted amazing. Everyone loved it and I will definitely be bringing this to the next party that I am invited to.
Hi Amy,
Do you drain the Rotel?
Regards,
eric
Amy how myc Thai chil did uou use? This in seasoning section?
Made this tonight and instead of jalapenos I used Thai chili’s ( my favorite)
AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is dangerously good and I cannot wait to make a batch for my friends to try, after I eat this batch of course !
I have been making this recipe for probably 15 years or more, but use sausage instead of beef. I’m not a fan of Velveeta either, but it melts smooth. I started using their white cheese a year or so ago instead of the yellow. It looks more like the cheese my kids like at the Mexican restaurant and they like it a lot better. I’m going to a family reunion tonight and am going to try the recipe with beef this time though – your version sounds really good!
My family would go nuts for this dip!
looks great
and for the spice , for every recipe I make I always add lots more pepper
Haha, I love the Velveeta comment. I completely agree. And this dip looks awesome!
I love chips and dip for lunch too. Hard to resist when you have homemade dip staring at you from the fridge at lunchtime!
I was just starting to plan what I want to make for our annual Halloween game- this looks PERFECT!
Michelle,
This looks amazing! But I have a serious aversion to Velveeta. What could I sub for that?
Thank you!!!
Lynn
Hi Lynn, You could use regular cheddar cheese, but I just don’t know how well it would melt down on its own and what the texture would be like.
I’ve used Rico’s Gourmet Nacho sauce in a twist on the queso recipe. It melts really well and is quite good. I usually find it by the box cheeses.
I love queso dip!! This looks amazing!
You mentioned eating chips and dip as a meal a lot. well, I’ve got a recipe for you. Cheesy chorizo nachos. it’s a pound of cooked chorizo, some chips, and some shredded cheese.
while the chorizo is cooling, line a large cookie sheet (I use an 11×17 one) with parchment paper and cover it in a layer of tortilla chips. (I prefer Mission brand).
sprinkle a light layer of shredded cheese over the chips (I use Kraft finely shredded 4 cheese Mexican blend, with a little of the 4 cheese Italian blend for the stretchy cheese factor. I end up using 2 packages of the Mexican and 1 of the Italian blends.)
spread half the cooked chorizo over the chips/cheese and cover with a lot of the shredded cheese.
add a second layer of chips and repeat the layering.
cook at 350 until the cheese is melted, 10-15 minutes, and eat warm.
Our family makes a version of this with hot breakfast sausage, rotel and cream cheese. It is also very delicious even though it doesn’t sound very good. It is best the next day.
I cannot get Rotel tomatoes where I live in Canada. I know. What suggestions are there for additions to regular diced tomatoes?
Our family makes a dip similar to this but instead of the chiles and Rotel we use jars of salsa, mild, medium, hot or a combination.
Hi Elizabeth, You can use regular diced tomatoes and then at my grocery store in the Mexican/Hispanic section, they sell separate cans of chopped green chiles.
Pastene (yellow labels) makes a really good diced tomato with chilis. It is available in many parts of Canada although you may have to hunt for it.
I am always looking for more slow cooker recipes! This one looks delish!
I have a recipe that I have made since the 70’s — very similar to this, but I use a pound of sausage (hot if you want the queso extra spicy) and … a can of cream of mushroom soup. Just a creamier version of this when you want a bit of a change.
Is it bad that I think I could eat an entire bowl of this on my own? It looks crazy awesome.
Chips & dip are ALWAYS lunch-appropriate.
Yum! A hint for serving your dip for a crowd – have a stack of foil cupcake liners nearby. Guests can use the cups for individual disposable dipping cups!
Great tip! Thanks for sharing!
I can throw everything in the slow cooker?! That’s awesome, my boyfriend is definitely going to love this!
What is rotel??
They are diced tomatoes and green chilies. You can normally find a store brand is cheaper. I always buy original but they come in mild and something that is hotter. Have never bought any Rotel other than the original. Have used them for years. I see they are made by Con Agra.
Ditto Linda – it’s a brand name, but it’s canned diced tomatoes with chopped green chiles. At my grocery store, the cans are located near the cans of whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, etc.
@Rhonda, I came quite late to this party, but Rotel is a brand name, like McCormick, or Ghirardelli. @Michelle : This is a great Website, Lady! Thank you for sharing it all. I will probably start with those Mocha Cupcakes & Espresso Buttercream…they sound scrumptious.