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Chip being dipped in to large skillet of smoked cheese dip.
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Smoked Chili Cheese Dip

This Smoked Chili Cheese Dip is the ultimate game-day champion. It is smoky, cheesy, and loaded with hearty chili flavor. Made with ground beef, two kinds of beans, and a secret splash of instant coffee for deep, rich flavor, this dip hits every note of comfort food goodness.
Slow-smoked on the Traeger until perfectly melty and creamy, it’s the kind of dip that keeps everyone gathered around the bowl long after kickoff!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: smoked chili cheese dip, smoked chili dip, smoked queso dip, traeger smoked cheese dip
Servings: 12 people
Author: Joshua Boquist

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1 yellow onion diced
  • 1 green bell pepper seeded and diced
  • 2 jalapeño peppers seeded and diced (optional for heat)
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 can pinto beans drained and rinsed (or kidney beans)
  • 1 can black beans drained and rinsed
  • 2 teaspoon ancho chili powder or regular chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1 packet of Starbucks Via instant coffee
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces mozzarella cheese shredded
  • 32 ounces deli-style yellow American cheese cubed
  • 8 ounces cream cheese cubed

Instructions

  • Preheat the Traeger to 225°F.
  • In a cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat on the stove, sauté the onion, jalapeño, and bell pepper for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for a quick minute.
    Sautéing onions, green pepper, and jalapeño peppers in a large skillet.
  • Add the ground beef. Cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess fat using a baster and tilting the skillet.
    Large skillet with onions and green pepper with ground beef sautéing.
  • Add the beans and cook for another 5 minutes.
    Chili base ingredients including beans in a large skillet.
  • Add the seasonings and instant coffee, cooking for another 2–3 minutes, mixing well to combine everything.
  • Add the American cheese, cream cheese, and mozzarella cheese. Place the skillet in the smoker and smoke for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring every 30 minutes until everything has melted and combined into a smooth and creamy dip.
    Diced American cheese, mozzarella cheese, and chili base ingredients in a large skillet.
  • Remove from the smoker, garnish with your choice of toppings (see notes), and serve warm with tortilla chips.
    Large skillet filled with chili cheese dip on the smoker.

Video

Notes

Use deli-style American cheese. Don't waste time unwrapping single slices of American cheese. Go to your deli and ask for them to cut you thick slices of deli cheese. Then you can quickly cube it up at home.
Instant coffee? Yes! Try it. It is the secret ingredient in my award-winning chili recipes and gives a great flavor!
Keep it warm! Throw the dip in a slow cooker to keep it gooey throughout the whole game! Or heat it up on the Traeger when you need to revitalize it.
Optional Toppings: pickled jalapeños, fresh cilantro, diced red onion, crema or sour cream, guacamole, diced avocado, and/or crushed tortilla chips.
  • Deli-style American cheese gives you that ultra-smooth texture.
  • Keep it warm in a crockpot if serving over several hours. Stir occasionally to keep it creamy.
  • For extra punch, top with Fritos or crushed tortilla chips just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 538kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 43g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 136mg | Sodium: 1667mg | Potassium: 374mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 1265IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 929mg | Iron: 2mg