Description
Smoked Taco Dip is a flavorful appetizer combining creamy cheeses, seasoned ground beef, and smoky spices, cooked low and slow in a smoker for a unique, rich Tex-Mex flavor. Perfect for parties and gatherings, served warm with tortilla chips.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Toppings
- 1 cup cooked ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives
- 1/4 cup diced jalapeños (optional)
Serving
- Tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Smoker: Set your smoker to 225°F to ensure it’s at the perfect temperature for slow cooking the dip and infusing it with smoky flavor.
- Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, blend the softened cream cheese and sour cream until completely smooth to create a creamy base.
- Add Cheeses and Spices: Stir in shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses along with smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all flavors.
- Assemble Dip: Spread this cheese mixture evenly into a cast-iron skillet or oven-safe dish, creating a flat layer for even heating.
- Add Ground Beef: Top the cheese mixture with the cooked, taco-seasoned ground beef, spreading it uniformly over the surface.
- Smoke the Dip: Place the skillet inside the preheated smoker and let it cook for about 1 hour, until the dip is molten, bubbly, and infused with smoky aroma.
- Garnish: Remove the dip from the smoker and sprinkle diced tomatoes, green onions, black olives, and jalapeños (if using) on top for freshness and extra flavor.
- Serve: Serve the warm dip immediately with tortilla chips for dipping and enjoying the smoky Tex-Mex flavors.
Notes
- For a vegetarian option, substitute the ground beef with seasoned black beans or cooked lentils.
- Adjust the amount of jalapeños according to your preferred spice tolerance.
- Smoking times can vary depending on the type and size of your smoker, so monitor the dip closely after 45 minutes.
- Use gluten-free tortilla chips to keep the recipe gluten-free.
