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Beer Smoked Queso
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5 from 1 vote

Elote Smoked Queso with Beer

Beer-infused elote street corn smoked queso. Make this in a smoker, or turn your charcoal grill easily into a smoker.
You can also skip the smoking and make this in your oven. Looking to make a beer-free version? I got you! Details are below.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 10 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American, Mexican
Servings: 15 servings
Author: Mallory Austin

Ingredients

Queso Base

  • 16 oz Queso Blanco Velveeta, cubed
  • 16 oz. Pepper jack or habanero jack any melty cheese of your choice
  • 2 blocks cream cheese
  • 7 oz. pickled nacho jalapenos + their juice extra for topping if desired
  • 1 can Pale Ale or Lager beer (optional) evaporated milk can be subbed

Elote Toppings

  • 4 ears of corn husked
  • 4-5 scallions, sliced green and white
  • Juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 1/2 cup Cojita cheese
  • 1-2 tsp Chili powder (to taste)

Other Ingredients

  • 1-2 cans of beer - 1 for the water pan
  • Tortilla chips for serving
  • Charcoal/wood chips for grill

Instructions

  • Prepare smoker or grill to 250 degrees with an aluminum water pan set on bottom rack. Add beer to the aluminum water pan instead of water.
  • Add all the queso base ingredients minus the beer into a separate aluminum pan. Place the queso over indirect heat and place corn over direct heat. Cook the corn for 45 minutes, flipping a few times. Smoke the queso over indirect heat for 2 hours.
  • Once corn has browned, remove, slice off the cob and set aside. Once cheese dip is fully melted and smooth, add beer (or evaporated milk) a little at a time stir to combine until desired texture is reached.
  • Top off the queso dip with corn, scallions, cojita cheese, and chili powder. Serve with tortilla chips and enjoy!

Notes

  1. This queso may be too thick for some. Add evaporated milk or additional beer to thin to your desired consistency.
  2. This elote beer-infused smoked queso can be made in an oven, no grill or smoker needed:
    Add Liquid Smoke - 3/4 teaspoon of liquid smoke will do the trick to impart some smoke flavor.
    Bake In The Oven - Cook for two hours at 250 degrees uncovered in the oven.
  3. Queso begins to harden as it sits at room temp. You can transfer to a slow cooker if you're serving this at a gathering. Or you can put your desired portion in the microwave for 30 seconds to loosen.