Cowboy Queso
Creamy, bold, and loaded with Tex-Mex flavor, this one-skillet Cowboy Queso blends melty cheeses with seasoned ground turkey, tomatoes, chilies, and beans. Perfect for parties, game day, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing appetizer fast.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground chicken
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 0.5 cup onion chopped
- 0.5 cup red bell pepper chopped
- 10 oz diced tomatoes with green chilies drained
- 0.5 cup black beans rinsed and drained
- 0.5 tsp ground cumin
- 0.25 tsp smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp chili powder
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 16 oz processed melting cheese e.g., Velveeta, cubed
- 0.5 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 0.25 cup milk add as needed to thin
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped, optional
Optional Toppings
- diced avocado, sliced green onions, pickled jalapeños, extra shredded cheese, salsa or hot sauce as desired for serving
Instructions
- Brown turkey: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up, until browned.
- Sauté veg & season: Stir in onion and red bell pepper; cook 3–5 minutes until softened. Add tomatoes with chilies, black beans, cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and pepper; simmer 2 minutes.
- Melt cheeses: Reduce heat to low. Add cubed processed cheese and shredded cheddar; stir until smooth and creamy. Splash in milk a little at a time until your desired dipping consistency is reached.
- Finish & serve: Stir in cilantro (optional). Transfer to a warm slow cooker to hold or serve immediately. Top with any desired garnishes and serve with chips, pretzels, or veggies.
Notes
Tips: Shred cheddar fresh for a smoother melt; keep heat low once cheese is added to prevent scorching; thin with milk as needed. Make-ahead: Prep all components up to 24 hours early; reheat gently and thin with a splash of milk. Variations: Make it spicier with jalapeños/hot sauce; go meat-free by doubling beans or adding corn and mushrooms; swirl in a little BBQ sauce and ranch for a tangy twist.
Allergen note: Pork- and alcohol-free as written.