Get the party started with this epic Salsa Con Queso recipe! Dive into the cheesy, creamy and vibrant salsa goodness that’s perfect for sharing with friends. Spice up your gathering with this irresistibly tasty crowd-pleaser and have a flavor-packed fiesta!
One of the things I enjoyed most about my time living in Austin (TX), was the abundance of quality Tex-Mex food. No matter where you turned, you could always find amazing and authentic Mexican food, that always hit the spot.
From Trudy’s to Chuy’s and not to forget El Arroyo – they were all fantastic, especially because they all had unforgettable queso.
This Salsa Con Queso recipe is an homage to all of that great Tex-Mex food in Austin – and if you try it, I’m pretty sure you won’t be disappointed.
What is Salsa Con Queso?
Salsa Con Queso is a Tex-Mex dip that combines the savory taste of melted cheeses and the zesty umami of freshly made salsa. This rich and creamy indulgence is perfect for dipping tortilla chips, tacos, or anything else that you want to add a spicy kick to.
It’s the ultimate snack for large gatherings, like your next game night or even the neighborhood Super Bowl party.
What is Queso?
For those of you wondering, queso itself, is this same recipe – simply without the salsa. It’s a popular creamy, melted cheese dip that’s prevalent in Tex-Mex cuisines.
The Ingredients for Smoked Salsa Con Queso
- 1 block Philadelphia Cream Cheese (8oz, plain)
- 4 oz Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese (chopped)
- 4 oz Velveeta Cheese (cubed)
- 2 cups Homemade Salsa
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/3 cup Tabasco Brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Yellowstone Cowboy Rub
- 1 cup La Costena Jalapeño Peppers
- 1 cup Cilantro (minced)
- 1 bag Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla (optional)
The Equipment Needed
- Smoker Grill (I’m using the Traeger Ironwood XL)
- Aluminum Baking Pan
How To Make Salsa Con Queso
This queso dip is pretty simple to make – the bulk of the work comes from prepping your ingredients.
Start by adding your block of cream cheese into your aluminum baking pan.
Next, add 4 oz of Pepper Jack cheese and 4 oz of Velveeta cheese to the pan.
Follow that up with 2 cups of Homemade Salsa, 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/3 cup of Tabasco Brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce.
Then, give the entire pan a good dusting with your Yellowstone Cowboy Rub.
Smoking Your Queso
Fire up your smoker and set the temperature to 300°F.
Place your pan in the center of your smoker and let it smoke for 1 hour.
After an hour has past, your cream cheese, Velveeta and pepper jack cheese should have melted. Open your smoker and give your salsa con queso a good stir.
Then, let it smoke for 30 more minutes, for everything to incorporate and for that extra smoke umami to infuse into the queso.
Once your queso is done smoking, remove from the smoker and add in your sliced jalapeño peppers and your minced cilantro. Give your queso another good stir and it should be ready to serve.
Serving Your Salsa Con Queso
Salsa con queso is best served along side a plate of Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla chips! I find these to be the perfect vessel for carrying this rich and hearty cheese dip. Enjoy!
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Equipment
- 1 Smoker Grill, (I’m using the Traeger Ironwood XL)
Ingredients
- 1 block Philadelphia Cream Cheese, (8 oz, plain)
- 4 oz Tillamook Pepper Jack Cheese, (chopped)
- 4 oz Velveeta Cheese, (cubed)
- 2 cups Homemade Salsa
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 1/3 cup Tabasco Brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce
- 3 tablespoons Yellowstone Cowboy Rub
- 1 cup La Costena Jalapeno Peppers
- 1 cup Cilantro, (minced)
- 1 bag Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla, (optional)
Instructions
How To Make Salsa Con Queso
- Salsa con queso is pretty simple to make – the bulk of the work comes from prepping your ingredients.
- Start by adding your block of cream cheese into your aluminum baking pan.
- Next, add 4 oz of Pepper Jack cheese and 4 oz of Velveeta cheese to the pan.
- Follow that up with 2 cups of Homemade Salsa, 1 cup of heavy cream and 1/3 cup of Tabasco Brand Chipotle Pepper Sauce.
- Then, give the entire pan a good dusting with your Yellowstone Cowboy Rub.
Smoking Your Salsa Con Queso
- Fire up your smoker and set the temperature to 300°F.
- Place your pan in the center of your smoker and let it smoke for 1 hour.
- After an hour has past, your cream cheese, Velveeta and pepper jack cheese should have melted. Open your smoker and give your salsa con queso a good stir.
- Then, let it smoke for 30 more minutes, for everything to incorporate and for that extra smoke umami to infuse into the queso.
- Once your salsa con queso is done smoking, remove from the smoker and add in your sliced jalapeño peppers and your minced cilantro. Give your queso another good stir and it should be ready to serve.
Serving Your Salsa Con Queso
- Salsa con queso is best served along side a plate of Tostitos Hint of Lime Tortilla chips! I find these to be the perfect vessel for carrying this rich and hearty cheese dip. Enjoy!
Nutrition
*Nutritional information is just an estimate derived by an online calculation tool.
FAQ
What is salsa con queso made of?
This Tex-Mex dip combines the savory taste of melted cheeses and the zesty umami of freshly made salsa. This rich and creamy indulgence is perfect for dipping tortilla chips, tacos, or anything else that you want to add a spicy kick to.
What does salsa con queso taste like?
It’s cheesy, creamy and vibrant from the fresh salsa mixed in, and has just the right amount of spice and kick, to make it interesting.
Do you use Velveeta in queso?
Yes, Velveeta is a great melting cheese that is thick and creamy.
Melinda
We are big fans of our Traeger smoker, but this will be the first time I use it for a Salsa Con Queso recipe. I’m bookmarking this and will make it this weekend. I love dips with a combination of cheese! The added smoky flavor is going to be amazing I’m sure!!
nancy
I love the smokiness of this Salsa Con Queso recipe. It’s my first time making this at home and it was instant hit.
JCP
oh. my. heavens. The smokiness and flavor is divine. Thank you for sharing!
Lathiya
Your queso recipe brought back my memories I lived in Austin. The flavors are spot on.
Ieva
Made this recipe a couple of times already and this is now my go to for all my dipping needs! The most delicious smoked salsa ever!
Heather
Best Queso ever, rich and delicious and a breeze to throw together! Perfect for Cinco de Mayo and game day get tog ethers! Not a drop left, thank you!
Paula
Wow! The smoky flavors of this queso dip were positively incredible!
Ned
What is better than your smoked cheese dip in a cast iron skillet? The answer is nothing! This was so totally baller and I will be making it every weekend to share with my family. Thank you for this awesomeness!
Mahy
I love how delicious this salsa looks. Just what I have been looking for – thanks!
Elisa
This Salsa Con Queso recipe sounds delicious!!! I will make it soon for a gathering. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Sisley
This is the perfect dip for game day! We loved it.
Sue
I could eat the whole pan myself ~ delicious!
Paula
This queso was nothing short of EPIC! We practically licked the bowl clean.
Gianne
The smoky flavor added a delicious twist to the creamy, cheesy goodness, making it irresistible. It’s the perfect dip for any gathering, and my friends couldn’t stop raving about it!