Whether it’s game day, a backyard party, a family get-together, a warm movie night, one thing is certain: there is no party without good food. And not just any food, but something warm, rich, indulgent and downright irresistible. Here it is: Sizzling Bacon Cheeseburger Queso Dip.
This mouthwatering dip brings the bold and satisfying flavors of a classic bacon cheeseburger to life in a creamy and melty queso dip that’s right at home on tortilla chips, pretzels, or even topping fries or baked potatoes. With its savory ground beef, crispy bacon bits, and velvety cheese, this dip not only satisfies but exceeds expectations.
If you’re ready to be everyone’s best party host, this is the recipe that will do it. So let’s unpack the magic behind this queso dip, how to make it from scratch, and some pro tips for customizing it to your taste.
What Makes This Dip So Hard To Resist?
There’s something nostalgic about the taste of a cheeseburger — smoky beef, melty cheese, salty bacon, and just the right amount of spice. If you translate that into a dip, you are getting all the flavor without the need to fire up the grill or mess with buns and toppings.
Here’s why this dip is so special:
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BUTTERY, CREAMY TEXTURE that completely envelops each chip.
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Savory ground beef flavored like the inside of a cheeseburger.
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Bacon – crispy bacon to add the signature crunch and smoky flavor.
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Stretchy, pull-apart melty cheese
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Customizable – you can use jalapenos, diced tomatoes, onions or pickles depending on the number of people.
It’s the kind of dip that won’t last long so make it ahead of time and multiply by at least two if you want to have some left over.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s a simple list of ingredients you’ll need to make enough of this sizzling bacon cheeseburger queso dip to satisfy a crowd:
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1 lb of ground beef (lean is better, some fat makes it taste better)
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6 strips of bacon, chopped
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1 small onion, diced
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1 clove garlic, minced
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1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
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1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional but recommended)
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1/2 tsp black pepper
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1/4 tsp salt
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1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (such as Ro-Tel, drained)
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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Two cups shredded cheddar cheese
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1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
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1/2 cup milk (more if needed to thin)
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Parsley or green onion chopped (optional garnish)
Step by Step How To Make It
Cook the Bacon
Start by frying chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it turns golden brown and crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove the bacon and place on paper towel to drain. Do not remove the skillet from the heat, but leave a tablespoon or so of bacon fat for flavor.
Brown the Beef
In the same skillet, add in your ground beef and brown it, breaking it apart as it cooks. Remove excess grease if necessary, add diced onion and garlic. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft and smelly.
Season the Meat
Add the Worcester sauce, smoked paprika, black pepper and salt. Stir to mix, allowing the seasonings to come and go into the beef mixture.
Add the Cream Cheese and Tomatoes
Add the drained diced tomatoes with green chilies and softened cream cheese in the mixture. Turn the heat down and stir until the cream cheese melts and is evenly incorporated into the mixture.
Add the Cheeses
Add shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses and stir to melt. Add the milk slowly until you reach your desired consistency of the dip. Some prefer it heavy and chunky; others like it on the loose side so they can dip it as they see fit.
Stir in Bacon and Garnish
Remove a few tablespoons of crispy bacon for garnish and add the rest into the dip. Put dip in serving bowl or slow cooker on warm and garnish with remaining bacon, green onions, or parsley.
Serving Suggestions
There’s no wrong way to eat this dip, but here are some crowd-pleasing ideas:
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Tortilla chips – the traditional pairing food
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Waffle or crinkle cut fries – if you like your fry with cheese.
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Soft pretzels – chewy and ideal for scooping
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Vegetables – think of celery sticks or bell pepper slices if you want to be healthy.
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Slider buns – use as cheesy filling for mini sandwiches
You can also top a baked potato or cooked pasta with this for an easy bacon cheeseburger mac!
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
One of the best things about this dip is that it keeps really well as a left-over if any are left! Here’s how to manage it:
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Make-ahead: Make the dip completely and then store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Warm over a saucepan or in the microwave with a splash of milk added to loosen the texture.
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Slow cooker: Keep warm for hours on slow or keep warm setting at parties;
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Freezing: You can freeze it, but you should note that the texture will vary slightly when you thaw it. To get the best result, you should stir a lot during the reheating.
Variations to Try
Want to get creative? Here are some fun twists to bring in some variety:
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Spicy version: You may add diced jalapenos, hot sauce or pepper jack cheese.
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Pickle relish dip: Mix chopped dill pickles or pickle relish into the dip for a tangy kick.
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Mexican: Taco seasoning on the beef and black beans and corn.
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Vegetarian: Remove the meat and bacon, and replace with sauteed mushrooms, vegetarian crumbles or black beans
Final Thoughts
Sizzling Bacon Cheeseburger Queso Dip is not mere party fare – it’s a flavor bomb, a heartwarming comfort food that transforms every gathering into a celebration. It has all of our favorite things: cheese, meat, bacon, and a hint of spice. Plus, it’s super-easy to make, can be customized a thousand different ways, and will wow guests every single time.
