I can’t tell you exactly how much of this queso dip I can eat in one sitting, because I would never be able to look you in the eye again! This is a copycat of the queso dip recipe served at Chili’s, made in the slow cooker or on stove top. It’s absolutely addictive and perfect for game day!
I just asked 2-year-old Valentine, “Hm, what is something healthy I can feed you for breakfast?” and she yelled “PIZZA!!!” I think we are on the same track. I almost ate this chili queso dip for breakfast myself. It’s almost the weekend, right??
Do you have any fun plans? Eric and I are going on a retreat for the blog, just the two of us. I asked my mom to babysit for us so we could go, and I found out later she had no idea what I meant, haha. We’re holing ourselves up in a hotel conference room to make long term plans for the blog, basically. I always seem to be drowning in day-to-day tasks (such as my children), and never make time for long-term strategies.
One of the things I REALLY want to do is create some Ebooks for you guys. I have a variety of topics I want to cover, but first up will be Meals for Two (or something like that) because SO many of you email me asking for dinner ideas that don’t feed an army. Tell me in the comments if there are any other ebook topics you would like me to cover!
Queso Dip is Life
Have you ever had the queso dip at a Chili’s restaurant? This recipe is a copycat. I haven’t actually ordered Chili’s Queso dip before (have you?), I just know it’s good enough that the internet has dozen’s of recipes for it. The recipe is from my sister Laura, who has been bringing queso dip to family parties for years and years. I love it so much. Why pay 7 bucks at a restaurant when you can make it at home!?
We are using no-bean chili for this homemade queso dip. Beans are apparently a controversial ingredient in chili, which I had no idea about until recently. I thought chili by definition had beans in it. NOT SO. Not so in Texas, anyway. Apparently they have very strong opinions about this.
(Speaking of Texas, has anyone else watched Dumplin’ on Netflix yet?? It’s about a plus size girl who is the daughter of a pageant queen, played by Rachel from Friends. It’s hilarious. Also, I know her name is Jennifer Aniston but she will always be Rachel to me!)
Anyway, back to the beans in chili debate. Recently my sister (who is from California like me, but lives in Texas now) was invited to a chili cook off. She decided to make a white chicken chili. (< not this one, but just in case you needed a recipe :)
When she showed up, the guy hosting it saw her pot of chili and said, “Oh. You can put it out there, but no one is going to eat that.” I think it was one of those situations where he wasn’t exactly trying to be rude, but just letting her know the facts: she would not even be entered into the cook off because beans AUTOMATICALLY disqualifies your chili.
Isn’t that crazy??? I can’t even imagine making chili without beans. It’s one of the best parts!
How to make queso dip
But no-bean chili definitely works in today’s recipe, and guess what, we’re not even making it from scratch. (If you want from-scratch chili, go make The Best Chili Recipe I’ve Ever Made. Spoiler alert, it has BEANS IN IT. Sorry Texas.)
All you need for today’s queso dip recipe are a couple cans of chili and a block of Velveeta cheese. There is nothing in the universe that melts quite as beautifully as Velveeta, so no cheating. It was the only cheese my mom had when she was growing up!! Can you believe that?
Add in some spices, milk, and lime juice, and you’re golden! It’s so easy. You can make it in the crock pot (about an hour) or in 20 minutes on the stove top.
Happy weekend everybody! Make sure you stick to your diet this week so you can make this queso dip on Super Bowl Sunday and eat the whole thing!!
More Super Bowl appetizers you need to check out!
Snowy Chili Cheese Dip << this may not look like much, but I’M TELLING YOU, this dip is insanely delicious. Who knew humble cottage cheese could be so delicious??
Carol’s Legendary 7-Layer Dip << This is your classic bean dip with all goodies!
Sausage Cream Cheese Dip Recipe (Slow Cooker) << This is a family classic over here!
Mozzarella Stuffed Soft Pretzels << because if you can’t eat cheesy bread on Super Bowl Sunday, when can you??
Bacon Wrapped Jalapeño Poppers << Add a little heat to the party.
Ultimate Chili Nachos with Queso and Guacamole << The ULTIMATE Nachos!
Cheesy Buffalo Chicken Dip << This dip is amazing and everyone else will too!
Queso Fundido Bites from Lemons for Lulu
Jalapeno Spinach Queso from Shugary Sweets
Steak Queso Dip from Barefeet in the Kitchen
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Copycat Chili's Queso Dip (Slow Cooker)
Ingredients
- 32 ounces Velveeta cheese
- 2 (15-oz) cans no bean chili*
- 2 cups whole milk
- 6 tablespoons lime juice, juice from 3 limes
- 3 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- tortilla chips
- chopped onions, to garnish, optional
- chopped cilantro, to garnish, optional
- lime wedges, to garnish, optional
Instructions
Slow Cooker Instructions:
- Chop the Velveeta into chunks. Add it to a slow cooker. Add all the other ingredients (except garnishes..and tortilla chips. Did I have to say that? :)
- Place the lid on top and set to high heat for 1 hour. Stir once halfway through. Or you can cook it on low for 2-3 hours, stirring once halfway through. The longer it sits, the more time the flavors have to marry, so feel free to make this ahead of time! It reheats in a jiffy (microwave, stove top, or in the slow cooker).
- Serve with tortilla chips and garnishes!
Stove Top Instructions:
- Chop the Velveeta and add to a large pot. Add all the other ingredients and turn the heat to low. Stir frequently until it's all melted. Serve with chips and garnishes!
Notes
This basic recipe can be found all over the internet, but I think it might have come from this Top Secret Restaurant Recipes Cookbook. Not 100% on that! My sister Laura gave me the recipe for her version.
Nutrition
Do you have a recommendation for a cheese alternative that works well? I am overseas where velveeta doesnt exist. Im guessing plain cheddar? There is no Monterey jack here either. Thanks!
Hi Kate! I’m not sure if you have access to cream cheese, but a combination of cream cheese and sharp cheddar might give you what you’re after. Now, we haven’t tested this recipe with anything except Velveeta, but if you try it, come back and let us know how it turns out!
Can I make this 1 day ahead?
Hi Sara! You could make it ahead, but you’d end up needing to reheat the dip in the microwave in 30 second intervals until it was creamy again. The great thing about this recipe is that it only takes 20 minutes on the stove top, so I recommend just making it fresh. Enjoy!
Made this today and was so excited for it. It came out very bitter. I’m thinking the chili powder is too much (and I only used 2T instead of 3). Is it meant to be teaspoons? Wondering what I may have gotten wrong. Definitely going to try again though!
Hi Sunny, that’s so strange! I’ve never had that happen. Is it possible you used chili powder that was expired? I guess the answer is to add less next time, but i do love the flavor it adds!
Totally agree too much chili powder. That’s all I could taste.
I agree with your sister about Wolf chili and due to the spice of it I don’t add cayenne. I’ve made this for over 30 years but never thought to add lime, so I’ll give it a try. Thanks for the blog, I look forward tho seeing what yum mines you are sharing. Thank you ma’am. Hope y’all have a blessed New Year.
I made this for Super Bowl, If I make this again, I will leave out the lime juice.
But it was still good.
Hi,
I live overseas and don’t have access to Velveeta cheese like that. Do you have any idea of anything to use as a substitution?
Thanks!
Kelsey
Hi Kelsey! Try this recipe from the Homesick Texan!
This queso was very thin so I added two 16 oz cans of refried beans to thicken it up. I can’t put my finger on it but one of the spices gives it a little bit of a bitter taste. Not sure which one but I will put less of all of them in the next time and add to taste.
Hi Karen,
I’m going to make this on Sunday so we can have some game day food while watching football. Two things, is the whole milk safe to use in the crock pot? I’m scared of this for some reason. Also, can I use a taco seasoning packet instead of the separate seasoning listed.
Hi BR! Yes, the whole milk will be totally fine in the crock pot. And I actually wouldn’t recommend a taco packet, I think it would change the whole feel of the dip. Let me know how it goes! Enjoy!
This queso is so good…my daughter says it’s just like Chili’s…I made a half recipe in my small sized dip crockpot…it made plenty for 3 adults with leftovers…they didn’t last long, though! Thank you for a spit on recipe.
I’m so glad it was a hit Tami! Great idea doing half the amount in a small crock. Genius! Thanks for commenting with a review, you are awesome. :)
Just made this tonight. So yummy!!! Not to cheesy or meaty, just the right amount. And its easy, throw it in the crockpot and call it good.
Woohoo! So glad it was a hit Genni! Thanks so much for reviewing!
I just had this at Chili’s the other day, and it was so good. I need to try this. I thought the Chili’s version had beans, but I must have imagined them. LOL. I would probably use chili with beans in mine.
Maybe it does have beans Cathy! I mean they could have changed the recipe over the years right? I should go check it out! Haven’t been to chilis in ages.
Looks delicious! I think you might have meant to say chili without the beans instead of “beans without chili”…but I might be wrong! In terms of e-books, one on Instant Pot recipes would be cool!
Ah! Thanks for catching that Lily! And okay I will add IP to the list!
I cannot wait to make this. Sometimes I throw parties just so I can make certain foods that I really want but dont want to let myself eat the whole batch. This is so going on my list for my next get together.
Looks yummy!
So funny about that guy at church and chili with beans. This Texan only makes her chili with beans (it’s my favorite part).
Haha!! Vindicated, Breanne!! Haha I will have to tell my sister. so funny.
This looks so good! Can I make it even if I’m not going to watch the Superbowl?? ;)
I love the e-book idea! I’d buy anything you produced!
Yes you definitely can Kris! I don’t know that we’ll be watching either, maybe just eating and looking up the score :)
And thank you!! Hopefully the meals for two book would be nice for you and Chip!
Can you do crockpot meals and casseroles aka convenient meals?
Sure Chelai! Good idea! I’ll keep that in mind! Thanks for the feedback :)