Name: Cowboy Queso Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Ingredients: ½ pound hot or regular pork sausage, casing removed (such as Jimmy Dean); Kosher salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste; ¾ cup Pale Ale beer (or your favorite beer); 16 ounces Velveeta, cut into 1-inch cubes; ½ cup freshly shredded pepper jack cheese; 1 (14.5-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained; 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed; ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Jump to Recipe

Introduction

Cowboy Queso is a rich, creamy, and flavorful cheese dip packed with spicy sausage and fresh ingredients. It’s perfect for parties, game days, or any time you crave a crowd-pleasing snack.

A black bowl filled with creamy yellow cheese dip with a slightly thick texture, mixed with small brown cooked ground meat pieces spread evenly. On top, there are scattered small red tomato chunks, bright green cilantro leaves, and three slices of green jalapeño peppers placed near the center and edges. A light dusting of reddish spice powder covers parts of the surface. In the background, there are golden tortilla chips leaning against the bowl, all set on a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ pound hot or regular pork sausage, casing removed (such as Jimmy Dean)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
¾ cup Pale Ale beer (or your favorite beer)
16 ounces Velveeta, cut into 1-inch cubes
½ cup freshly shredded pepper jack cheese
1 (14.5-ounce) can Rotel tomatoes, undrained
1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Use a wooden spatula to break the sausage into crumbles as it cooks.
Step 2: Once fully cooked, pour in the beer and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to reduce slightly.
Step 3: Add Velveeta and shredded pepper jack cheese, stirring until all the cheese is melted, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 4: Stir in the Rotel tomatoes, black beans, and chopped cilantro until well combined.
Step 5: Serve the dip immediately with your favorite homemade chips. Enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a milder dip, use regular pork sausage and mild cheddar cheese instead of pepper jack.
Swap the Pale Ale for a lager or non-alcoholic beer to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Add diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce for extra heat.
Use canned black beans for convenience, or substitute with pinto or kidney beans.
Garnish with extra fresh cilantro or chopped green onions before serving.

Storage

Store leftover Cowboy Queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently to maintain a smooth texture.

How to Serve

A close-up of a black bowl filled with creamy melted cheese dip that has a smooth, gooey texture with small chunks of browned ground meat mixed throughout. On the surface, there are scattered pieces of bright red diced tomatoes and fresh green jalapeño slices, with chopped cilantro leaves spread on top. A light sprinkling of reddish chili powder adds color contrast to the dip. In the background, slightly out of focus, some tortilla chips are placed upright around the bowl. The scene is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Cowboy Queso without beer?

Yes, you can substitute the beer with chicken broth or water, but the beer adds a subtle depth of flavor that enhances the dip.

Is Cowboy Queso gluten-free?

Most ingredients are naturally gluten-free, but check the labels on the beer and sausage to ensure they don’t contain gluten or cross-contaminants.