Smoked Taco Dip
Smoked Taco Dip is a quick, delicious party favorite combining smoky, spicy, and creamy flavors with classic taco ingredients and a unique smoked twist. Perfect for gatherings or easy snacking, it offers a satisfying blend of textures and tastes that everyone will love, ready in under 30 minutes.
- Author: Mary
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Smoking
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
- Diet: Gluten Free
Dairy and Cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Meat and Seasoning
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 2 tbsp taco seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
Vegetables and Extras
- 1 cup diced tomatoes with green chilies (canned or fresh)
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
- Sliced jalapeños (optional, for extra heat)
- Prepare and Smoke the Meat: Season the ground beef or turkey with taco seasoning and smoked paprika. Cook the meat in a skillet over medium heat until browned and fully cooked, allowing the smoky spices to infuse deeply.
- Mix the Creamy Base: In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth, creating a creamy base that balances the bold flavors to come.
- Add Cheese and Vegetables: Stir the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, diced tomatoes with green chilies, finely chopped onions, and minced garlic into the cream mixture, adding texture and bright flavors.
- Combine Meat and Dip: Fold the cooked and smoked meat into the creamy cheese mixture, ensuring every bite combines smoky meat with smooth dip components.
- Smoke the Whole Dip: Spread the combined dip evenly in a shallow dish and place it in a smoker set to approximately 225°F (107°C) for 30 minutes. This step melds flavors and adds signature smoky depth.
- Garnish and Serve: Once smoked, garnish the dip with fresh cilantro, sliced jalapeños, or favorite toppings and serve immediately with chips, veggies, or crackers.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for easier blending and a smoother texture.
- Maintain a consistent low temperature during smoking to prevent drying out the dip.
- Ensure all meat is fully cooked before mixing.
- Adjust spice level by varying jalapeños, chilies, and taco seasoning.
- Let the dip rest for 5 minutes after smoking to enhance flavor melding.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: smoked taco dip, party dip, appetizer, smoky dip, taco dip, game day dip, easy dip, gluten free dip