Ultimate Game Day Chili Con Queso

Updated
Ultimate Game Day Chili Con Queso

By The Little Foxes

Real chili con queso has ground meat, spices, onions, and lots of other secret ingredients designed to make for heaven on a chip. Well, I'm here to help steer you to a slightly healthier and less cruel option, which also happens to taste better than any queso I've ever made. I've worked with lots of variations of this recipe to get the color, flavor, and consistency just right. Why? Because as a Texan, my rep is on the line here. Moreover, I want to show the world that you can make a remarkable dairy-free, cholesterol-free queso dip, no sweat. This recipe is also my most popular repeat request for catering gigs. People literally hover over the bowl and say, "Can you believe this isn't cheese?" That makes me feel good.

Go ahead: bring this to a Superbowl party or potluck. Set the bubbling cauldron of cheesy goodness down and watch people go Bananas. The only thing people will ask you for is the recipe.

Serving Size: 25 Prep Time: 5 mins Total Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:
1 tsp olive oil
1 white onion, finely diced
1 packet of Trader Joe's beef less ground beef (or heirloom beans, if you aren't a faux meat type)
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 Tbsp ground cumin
¾ cup light beer (I used Corona)
2 packages of Daiya Havarti Wedge with jalapeño and garlic, diced in to cubes
1 package of Daiya Cheddar Wedge, diced in to cubes
¾ cup red salsa (I use medium hot, chunky salsa, but this is a matter of preference. Use what you like)
¾ cup water to achieve desired consistency
salt and pepper, to taste
Legit corn tortilla chips for maximum dippage
For garnish: Finely-diced green onions, avocado slices, diced purple onion, or anything else you think sounds rad.

Directions:

  1. In a saucepan over medium-to-high heat, combine oil, diced onions, beef less ground beef, and coat with spices. Allow to cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until the onions are slightly transparent (we still want them crunchy, so don't cook them too much) and the spices have permeated the mixture.

  2. Once cooked, add beer and simmer on lower heat for another 5 minutes.

  3. Add cubed Daiya and salsa, stirring occasionally to encourage melting.

  4. Once melted, add water (or additional beer, if you prefer) to achieve desired consistency.

  5. Add salt, pepper, and any preferred spices to taste. I sometimes kick this up a notch with hot sauce or red pepper flakes, but the key is to keep it not too spicy.

  6. Ladle in to bowls or a crock pot and garnish with green onions (my favorite), avocado, purple onion, cilantro (if you're in to that. I think it's an abomination), lime wedges, or anything else that tickles your fancy. Serve with GOOD CORN TORTILLA CHIPS (no Tostito's here, people), and go to town. Pop a cold beer and enjoy.

  7. Be prepared for total world domination. Cover and store in refrigerator for up to a week. Reheat in saucepan or microwave.

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