Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso is a super delicious dip to serve up for game day or at your next party! This recipe is loaded with smokey cheese, grilled burger and crispy bacon for the ultimate bite. 

Queso is by far one of my favorite things to make when having guests over. It’s super easy to make and you can please a large crowd on an affordable budget. All you have to do is prepare the ingredients, toss them in an aluminum foil pan or crock pot and serve it up when the cheese melts!

For this recipe, I decided to take things to the next level by grilling the burger meat first and then smoking the queso for even more flavor. As a result, you get all the classic flavors of a bacon cheeseburger in a creamy, smoky dip that’s perfect for sharing. So, be sure to give this bacon cheeseburger queso a try at your next gathering! 

Why You’ll Love Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso brings everything you love about a classic bacon cheeseburger together in a creamy, smoky dip. The combination of seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, melted cheese, and fresh toppings creates a rich flavor that keeps everyone coming back for another scoop.

The smoker adds an extra layer of smoky flavor while the queso stays warm, creamy, and easy to serve. It comes together with simple ingredients and makes an easy appetizer for game days, backyard BBQs, parties, or any time you want a hearty dip that feeds a crowd.

Ingredients For Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

• 1 pound of 80/20 ground beef
• 1 pound Thick-cut bacon
• 16 oz Queso Blanco Velveeta
• 8 oz Marble jack or Colby jack cheese
• 8 oz Cream cheese
• 1 large Yellow onion
• 1 can Rotel Tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 cup 2% milk
• 2 tbsp of green onions
• Tortilla chips, potato chips, or bagel chips
• 1 tbsp Burger seasoning or salt, black pepper, and garlic powder

How to make Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

1. Preparing the Smoked Burger

Preheat the grill to high heat for direct cooking.

I used my Kamado Joe for this cook because it’s super versatile between a grill and smoker. A charcoal grill puts off good strong smoke flavor because you use wood chunks or chips. A pellet grill would also work great for this cook because it circulates the air well and acts as an oven. 

Form two ½ pound burger patties then season them on both sides with your favorite burger seasoning.

Grill the burger patties over medium-high heat, flipping every 3–4 minutes to build a flavorful crust. Remove them from the grill when they reach an internal temperature of 155°F.

Reduce the grill temperature to 325°F and use Bear Mountain BBQ‘s cherry wood for a sweet smokey flavor. 

If you do not have a smoker, you can brown the beef in a skillet then combined it with all of the ingredient in a crock pot/slow cooker or place the pan in the oven. 

2. Cook the Bacon

Cook slices of bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Once it’s crispy, remove the bacon and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess grease. 

Drain the excess bacon grease from the hot pan, then add a diced onion to the pan and cook for 3-5 minutes until softened.

3. Assemble the Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso and smoke it

Chop the grilled burger and crumble the bacon into bite-sized pieces. Add them to a cast-iron skillet or aluminum foil pan with the cubed Velveeta, marble jack cheese, cream cheese, Rotel tomatoes, milk, and caramelized onions.

Place the pan on the smoker at 325°F for 30 minutes. Stir the queso every 10 minutes to evenly distribute the ingredients and seasoning.

Once the queso reaches a smooth, runny consistency, remove it from the smoker.

Top with extra bacon and green onions, then serve warm with a large bowl of tortilla chips.

Expert Tips for Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

• Use full-fat cheese: It melts smoother and gives the queso a rich, creamy texture.
• Keep the smoker temperature low: This helps the cheese melt evenly without becoming greasy.
• Remove it while slightly thin: The queso will thicken as it cools, so don’t wait until it reaches your final desired consistency.
• Serve it warm: This queso is best while it’s creamy and easy to scoop.

Variations

Give this queso a spicy kick by adding diced jalapeños, hot Rotel, or your favorite hot sauce.

For a BBQ twist, stir in a little of your favorite BBQ sauce.

You can also swap the marble jack for Swiss cheese and add sautéed mushrooms for a delicious mushroom Swiss version.

For a jalapeño popper twist, add extra diced jalapeños and cream cheese.

Storage

Store leftover Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring often.

If the queso becomes too thick, add a small splash of milk to bring it back to a creamy consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions About Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso

Can I make Smoked Bacon Cheeseburger Queso ahead of time? Yes. Prepare the queso ahead of time and refrigerate it until you’re ready to serve. Reheat it gently and add a splash of milk if needed.

Can I use a different cheese? Absolutely. Colby jack, Monterey jack, or another good melting cheese can be used in place of the marble jack.

How do I keep queso from getting too thick? Keep it warm while serving and stir in a small amount of milk if it starts to thicken.

Can I make this queso spicier? Yes. Use hot Rotel, add diced jalapeños, or mix in your favorite hot sauce for extra heat.

Looking for other delicious queso ideas?

I absolutely love making different flavors of queso. This cheesy goodness pairs together with so many different flavors!

Smoked Street Corn Queso -This creamy smoked queso combines sweet street corn with a blend of melted cheeses for an easy, flavorful appetizer perfect for game days and gatherings.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Queso – Loaded with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and homemade ranch, this creamy smoked queso delivers big flavor in every bite and makes an easy crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Buffalo Chicken Queso -Smoked chicken, creamy melted cheese, and spicy buffalo flavor come together in this easy queso dip that’s perfect for game days, parties, and backyard gatherings.

Steak and Shrimp Queso Dip -Tender ribeye, Cajun-seasoned shrimp, pepper jack, and queso blanco create a rich, creamy dip packed with bold flavor and perfect for dipping with tortilla chips.

Other appetizers to serve up!

These are some of my most popular appetizer recipes. Be sure to give them a try when you need a reliable, delicious appetizer.

Grilled Chimichurri Chicken Wings – Grill these juicy chicken wings until crisp, then finish them with fresh chimichurri for a bold, herb-packed flavor in every bite.

Bacon Cheeseburger Jalapeno Poppers – Crispy bacon, seasoned beef, and melted cheese fill spicy jalapeños in this smoky, savory appetizer made for game day.

Smoked Pork Belly Burnt Ends – Smoke juicy pork belly until tender, then coat it in sweet, sticky BBQ sauce for irresistible burnt ends packed with smoky flavor.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders -Grilled chicken, crispy bacon, and homemade ranch dressing come together in these easy, cheesy sliders that make the perfect game day or party appetizer.

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