Saddle Up for Flavor: Ultimate Cowboy Queso Recipe
Cowboy Queso is a creamy, flavorful, and versatile dip that combines melted cheese with savory turkey bacon, chicken ham, and sautéed vegetables. It’s perfect for gatherings, casual meals, or as a topping for various dishes. This recipe is easy to prepare, affordable, and customizable to suit your taste preferences.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 15
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups milk
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 cup cooked turkey bacon, crumbled
- 1 cup diced chicken ham
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, diced
- 1 small red bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: diced tomatoes or jalapeños for extra flavor
Instructions
- Chop the onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Dice the chicken ham and crumble the turkey bacon.
- In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Gradually whisk in flour until smooth.
- Slowly pour in milk, whisking constantly. Cook for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Reduce heat to low and gradually add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, stirring until smooth.
- In a separate skillet, sauté onions, bell peppers, and garlic over medium heat until softened. Add chicken ham and turkey bacon, cooking 2–3 minutes more.
- Fold the cooked vegetables and meats into the cheese sauce. Mix thoroughly.
- Season with chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Add optional diced tomatoes or jalapeños if desired.
- Serve immediately while warm with chips, vegetables, or as a topping for baked potatoes or nachos.
Notes
For extra creaminess, use whole milk or a blend of milk and cream.
Stir constantly while cooking the cheese sauce to prevent curdling.
Adjust spice levels according to preference.