Beef Queso Dip Tortilla Chips (Printable)

Creamy ground beef and melty cheese served with crunchy tortilla chips for flavorful snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - ½ lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 1 small jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium tomato, diced

→ Spices

06 - 1 tsp chili powder
07 - ½ tsp ground cumin
08 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
09 - ½ tsp kosher salt
10 - ¼ tsp black pepper

→ Dairy

11 - 8 oz processed cheese, cubed
12 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
13 - ½ cup whole milk

→ Pantry

14 - 1 tbsp olive oil
15 - 1 tbsp cornstarch

→ To Serve

16 - 7 oz tortilla chips
17 - 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
18 - 1 small lime, cut into wedges

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and jalapeño; sauté for 2–3 minutes until softened.
02 - Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
03 - Stir in garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add diced tomato and cook for 2–3 minutes, allowing juices to release and reduce slightly.
05 - Lower the heat to medium-low. Add cubed processed cheese, shredded cheddar, and milk. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the mixture is smooth, about 5 minutes.
06 - If the dip is too thin, dissolve cornstarch in 2 tbsp cold water, then stir into the dip and cook for 1–2 minutes until thickened.
07 - Transfer the queso dip to a serving bowl. Top with chopped cilantro, if desired. Serve immediately with tortilla chips and lime wedges on the side.

# Tips from dashanddishes:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • The combination of seasoned beef and two types of cheese creates that restaurant style texture you cant replicate with just one cheese
  • This dip stays creamy and dippable even as it cools down unlike so many others that turn into a solid mass
02 -
  • Processed cheese might feel like cheating but it is absolutely essential for the smooth texture that makes queso so addictive
  • Keep the heat low once you add the cheese because high heat will cause the dairy to separate and turn grainy
  • Stir continuously while the cheese melts to prevent scorching on the bottom of the pan
03 -
  • Cube the processed cheese before you start cooking so it melts evenly and quickly
  • Grate your own cheddar cheese instead of buying pre-shredded cheese which contains anti-caking agents that can make the dip grainy

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