Smoky cheese dip is a cheesy, comforting, flavorful, high-protein treat. It’s also my favorite way to use up leftover shredded beef!
One of my goals for 2025 is to normalize semi-homemade cooking. Complicated recipes with numerous ingredients have their place, but most people don’t have time for that. My easy, smoky cheese dip is a regular staple in our house, and I promise no one will know how easy it is to make!
This recipe requires only three ingredients, and one of them is leftover shredded beef from a chuck roast from the day before. The chewy, savory beef gives the dip amazing texture and flavor. Garnish with fresh toppings, and you’ve got the most delicious dip to enjoy as a quick snack or party appetizer. This is a go-to on football Sunday. What screams game-day food more than a hearty, cheesy hot dip and chips??
I often talk about how much I love having fire-roasted salsa in my pantry. It’s one of my favorite shortcut ingredients. I frequently use it in my one-pan beef and cabbage instead of salsa verde. Rather than dicing onions, chilies, and peppers and using a bunch of seasoning, salsa provides all of that, and all you have to do is open a jar. It also adds a smokiness I adore. If you don’t have a fire-roasted salsa, a little smoked paprika can achieve the same effect.
I love store-bought queso for the same reason. Anytime my favorite brand goes buy one, get one free at Publix, I buy two of them and keep them in the fridge. It’s not just for dipping. Use it as an ingredient anywhere you want creamy, cheesy goodness. It’s my secret ingredient in white chicken chili. It makes it gloriously cheesy without using cream and/or cheese!
Smoky Cheese Dip
Why We Love It
- Quick! With some help from the store and leftovers, this dip can be prepared in under 10 minutes!
- High-Protein. The shredded beef provides approximately 20 grams of protein per four ounces.
- Versatile. Use any salsa and meat you like. You can also use shredded cheese as a substitute for queso.
- No waste. I used leftover chuck roast to make this dip, making sure none of it went to waste.
Sharing ways to use leftovers is probably my favorite thing to do over on Instagram stories. Be sure to find me on Instagram to follow along!
Ingredients You’ll Need
It seems silly to write this recipe out because it’s so simple. You only need three ingredients to make this smoky cheese dip recipe, but I’ve included some variations below.
- Shredded beef. I used shredded beef from a chuck roast I made the day before. It added a rich, savory flavor while transforming the meat into something completely different. It also adds amazing texture! Use any meat you want. Cooked sausage is delish!
- Queso. Store-bought queso makes this quick and easy. The brand I buy has clean ingredients and tastes great. I suggest reading labels because some of them have a very long list of questionable and unnecessary ingredients, while others have ingredients similar to what you’d use if you made it from scratch.
- Fire-roasted salsa. I always have fire-roasted salsa in my pantry. I love the smoky flavor, and it’s a total flavor bomb. Use any salsa you like, but keep in mind that the flavors in the salsa will impact the taste of your dip. This isn’t a situation where you would want to use a pineapple salsa, lol!
This dip is perfect exactly as written above, but sometimes I like to jazz it up withAleppo pepper and stretch it with a can of black beans.
 | Fire Roasted Salsa Family-Owned | Fire-Roasted Smoky Flavor | Low Calorie | Gluten Free | No High-Fructose Corn Syrup |
How to Make Smoky Cheese Dip With Shredded Beef
The instructions are self-explanatory and straightforward. As always, the recipe card below includes exact measurements you can print out.
- The first step is optional. If you want smaller pieces of beef, start by chopping it. I like mine to be a mixture of smaller pieces and large ones for a variety of textures.
- While not necessary to the recipe, if you plan to garnish the dip, prepare the garnishes next. I’ll provide some ideas below, but I prefer a generous sprinkling of thinly sliced scallions. They give a pop of freshness as well as crunch.
- In a microwave-safe bowl large enough to mix the dip, combine the queso, salsa, and beef.
- Microwave at full power for 60 seconds. The outside edges will get hot before the middle does, so I microwave for 60 seconds, give it a good stir, and repeat that process until it is evenly heated.
- Once the dip is evenly heated, transfer it to a serving bowl and top with your desired garnishes.
 | Premium Aleppo Pepper Flakes Premium Aleppo Pepper Flakes | Authentic Turkish Chili Spice | Bright, Savory, Fruity, Mild Heat |
Helpful Tips
- I prefer to prepare this in the microwave, but if you’re not comfortable with that, you can also prepare it on the stove or in a slow cooker. On the stove, I suggest heating it at the lowest possible heat so the bottom doesn’t scorch. In a crockpot, combine all three ingredients and let it go on low heat until hot and bubbly.
- Having pre-cooked protein in your freezer allows you to make meals like this quickly and easily. When doing my weekly ingredient prep, I like to cook up extra protein and freeze it into single-serve and meal-size portions. My favorite freezer containers are perfect for this!
- Seasoning is your friend, and don’t be afraid of it, especially when making simple recipes with minimal ingredients. While this dip certainly does not lack flavor, feel free to add additional seasonings and some extra spice to jazz it up!
- When serving this smoky cheese dip to a crowd, don’t skip the garnish. Garnishing truly elevates a dish. Fresh herbs, such as cilantro and scallions, and finely diced bell peppers, would add flavor, color, and texture.
 | Silicone Freezer Containers Silicone Freezer Containers For Meal Prep | Oven & Dishwasher Safe |
Variations and Ingredient Substitutions
- You can use any salsa you like to change the flavor entirely. I love a fire-roasted salsa because of its complexity and smokiness, but I’ve also made this with salsa verde, which gave the dip a delightful pop-up tanginess and freshness.
- Speaking of smokiness, if you don’t have a fire-roasted salsa, a little smoked paprika can achieve the same effect. It’s one of my most frequently used seasonings, and it’s hugely underrated! Add a little at a time, as you can easily overdo it.
- The salsa adds plenty of flavor, but adding additional garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, hot sauce, and/or Cayenne will jazz it up even more.
How To Store
- Since this is made with leftover meat, I suggest making as much as you can eat.
If you’ve tried my Smoky Cheese Dip recipe or any recipe on my site, please leave a comment below!
Check out our vegetarian, dairy-free, gluten-free, and low-carb recipes if you have food sensitivities! |
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Smoky Cheese Dip With Shredded Beef
Equipment
- Aleppo Pepper (optional)
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded beef
- 1 cup queso cheese dip
- 1 cup fire-roasted salsa
Instructions
- Chop the beef, if necessary.
- If using them, prep the garnishes.
- Add the beef, queso, and salsa to a bowl.
- Cover and microwave for 60 seconds.
- Stir well and repeat the step above until hot.
- Taste and adjust for seasoning.
- Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Garnish, serve with chips, and enjoy!
Nutrition
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