Smoked Chili con Queso
Imagine a creamy, cheesy queso dip…and then add in a smoky grilled flavor!
This Smoked Chili con Queso is the perfect appetizer to enjoy during the big game!
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Well kiss my grits! As I’ve mentioned many times before, I was born in the South. I grew up all over the Carolinas, Texas, Louisiana and Georgia. Although I now live in 
But there are plenty of awesome Southern sayings that make their way into my vocabulary on a daily basis. Take “gets my goat,” for instance. “You know what really gets my goat?” If you’re really annoyed at something or someone, then it’s perfectly acceptable to say that they get your goat. But “bless her heart” has to be one of my favorites! I don’t personally use this term, but my sister and mother (both resident Nashvillians) use this one all the time. It basically gives you free reign to say anything you want about someone. Bless her heart, but her hair is a hot mess today. If you ever need to throw out a snarky comment, just lead off with “bless her (his) heart.” Now you can’t get in trouble. True story.
So I’ve been watching college football like it’s my job lately. (Geaux Tigers!) And of course, when college football is on tv, I need some delicious football snacks. For evening games, my wife and I always make our go-to pizza and break out a couple of Abita beers. Is there a more classic football meal than pizza and beers?
Smoked Chili con Queso
When it comes to the afternoon games, I need snacky type food. Like chips and pretzels. I was smoking some pulled pork the other day, and my brain started to wander. Usually I get myself into some sort of trouble when that happens…but not this time! I started wondering if you could make a smoked cheese dip? Well it turns out that you can. It also turns out that this Smoked Chili con Queso is one of the most delicious snacks I’ve ever eaten! Oh, and if you need a good laugh, check out the Sh%t Southern Women Say video on YouTube…there’s definitely at least one “bless her heart” in there!
Did you make this Smoked Chili con Queso at home? Leave a comment, or better yet snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog). Enjoy!
Smoked Chili con Queso
Ingredients
- 2 cups hickory wood chips
- 8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded
- 12 ounces mild cheddar cheese shredded
- 1½ Tbsp olive oil
- ½ medium white onion diced
- 1 jalapeno seeded and diced
- 2 cloves of garlic diced
- 2 Tbsp all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp cumin
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 10 oz can diced tomatoes and green chilies, drained
- 1 4.5 oz can diced green chilies, drained
- 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
- ½ cup sour cream
- black pepper to garnish
Instructions
- Soak the hickory chips in water for at least 30 minutes before using.
- Meanwhile, prepare the grill for indirect heat. (If using a gas grill, turn burners on one side to high and leave burners on other side off. If using a charcoal grill, bank the charcoal up against one side of the grill.)
- Using an 8”-10” cast iron skillet, place the shredded cheese evenly across the bottom of the skillet.
- Place the hickory chips directly on the coals and wait for the smoke to appear. (If using a gas grill, make an aluminum foil pouch for the hickory chips. Seal pouch, but poke several holes in the top to allow smoke to escape.)
- Once hickory chips are smoking, place the cast iron skillet on the opposite side from the charcoal or lit burners. Cover grill and cook for approximately 30 minutes, or until cheese has fully melted. (Note: Check on the cheese occasionally and rotate the skillet as needed.)
- Meanwhile, place the olive oil, diced onion and diced jalapeno in a medium fry pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 5-6 minutes, or until onions begin to turn translucent. Add diced garlic and cook for 2 more minutes, stirring frequently.
- Whisk the flour and cumin into the fry pan and cook for about 45 seconds, stirring constantly. Add the milk and whisk until mixture is well combined. Cook for 3-4 more minutes, or until mixture begins to thicken slightly. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro, canned diced tomatoes and canned diced chilies. Set mixture aside.
- Once the cheese has melted fully, add the sour cream and sautéed onion mixture. Stir together until fully combined. Transfer mixture to a serving bowl and garnish with freshly cracked black pepper. Serve hot with tortilla chips.
Looking for more tasty football appetizers? Check out these other favorites, too:
At the risk of suffering 3rd degree burns, I’m pretty much ready to dive into the bowl of this con queso, Dave! Wisconsin girls need to be as close as possible to our cheese on game day, ya know. 😉 Oh, and bless your sweet heart for thinkin’ it, but there’s only ONE frozen tundra, and it’s not in upstate New York.
Somehow I knew you’d mention the frozen tundra comment, Becca! Haha! But I thought this smoked cheese dip would buy me a little bit of leniency…guess I’m just going to have to keep it all for myself on game day. 🙂
I’m so gonna adopt “gets my goat”. It goes straight to the point, what a powerful expression!
And dude, you’re killing me with that first picture. You must put a warning sign before saying : “Attention, you may faint from delight!” 😉
Haha…thanks, Mike! I’ll have to get a little chalkboard and write a warning on it before I post any more queso-inspired recipes. Haha. And I really want to hear people’s reaction when you use “gets my goat.” That would be hilarious. 🙂
Funny story…whenever my husband burps or does obnoxious manly things I say, “Goodneeeess” and then he says in a female voice, or at least in his best imitation of my voice, (in mockery of me), “Bless your heart.” You 100% did not need to know that but now you do, so let’s talk about this delicious queso dip that you have now made me crave at midnight. Yummy, cheesy, goodness! {Bless your heart}
“Well, bless her heart, but that poor Lindsey just needs to get her some sleep.”
“I heard she was up in the middle of the night looking at pictures of cheese dip.”
“Well, my lordy.”
Haha! “Chile, please. Why don’t you sit a spell?”
Well, “dern”!!! This sure would leave me as “full as a tick”! Oh wait – dern, I gotta stay away from cheese!!!
David – I LOVE this post – hilarious!!! And that video!!! Hahaha! Oh, and a co-worker of mine used to always say “kiss my grits” every time he had walked out of the conference room after meeting an irate customer!
Haha! I love that you said “kiss my grits,” Shashi! I think you are the first person I’ve actually come across that used that one. 🙂 But “full as a tick” is another GREAT one…I use that all the time. Whenever I come across that video, I always sit down and watch it. Funny thing is that I didn’t appreciate it as much when I lived in the South. Now that I’m way up here, I can totally identify with it…and it makes me miss home! 🙂
Wow! This smoked queso sounds awesome and looks amazing! And being a southern gal myself, I “bless someone’s heart” weekly! 🙂
Haha…well, bless your heart for commenting, Tamara. You’re just such a good gal! 🙂 If you love cheese dip, then you absolutely have to try this one…it’s crazy delicious! Now I want to go make a batch to munch on while watching football today!
So what is the point in smoking it if no smoke gets to the cheese? It seems to be more of melting the cheese with style.
Hey Nick! The smoke actually does get to the cheese. Since you put the skillet in the grill/smoker with the hickory wood chips, the smoke infuses the cheese while it melts. So this queso really does end up with a wonderful smoked flavor! Even if you don’t smoke it, the queso is delicious…but I do love making this one on the smoker if the weather permits! I hope you enjoy it!