This Whole30 Chili Con Queso Dip is an easy appetizer or fast dinner. It’s perfect for football games, parties, or just a 30-minute fun dinner on a busy weeknight!
One of my boys is all about the nacho cheese but we eat dairy-free as a family. He was so excited for this recipe and insisted it make an appearance when we watch the Super Bowl next week.
Why We Love This Whole30 Chili Con Queso Dip
First, because not only is it Whole30, it’s Paleo, Keto, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, and egg-free, with vegan and Plant-based Whole30 options! Love how allergen-friendly this dip is.
Second, my Whole30 Chili Con Queso Dip is SO easy! It’s ready in under 30 minutes with minimal prep involved. No complicated cheese sauce to soak or blend, just ingredients simmered in a pan to creamy deliciousness.
Also, it’s budget-friendly! I was able to find all the ingredients at my local Walmart. Though nutritional yeast might be new to you, they sell it not only at Trader Joe’s and natural food stores, Walmart and Target both carry it now too!
Finally, because it is such a fun football or party appetizer! It’s awesome when you have an appetizer that works for your dietary needs but also can be enjoyed by all who are there. Plus, it also can make just a nourishing, fast, kid-friendly weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- Ground beef – We love this dip with ground beef. This post was created with gifted US Wellness Ground Beef. You could also use other ground meats that work for you. Or, need a vegan option? You can either use vegan ground “beef” crumbles, like these Whole30 Approved ones from Abbot’s Butcher that I can find at Target. OR, just saute the onions and garlic in 2 teaspoons oil, and then add in 2 cans of rinsed black beans with the sauce.
- Onion – Half of a large white or yellow onion, finely diced. Or a whole small onion.
- Garlic – I prefer to by my garlic pre-minced, like this one from Walmart, but you can use garlic cloves, minced as well!
- Rotel Canned Tomatoes – You can find these at most grocery stores, like here at Walmart, but they are basically canned petite diced tomatoes with green chilies in them. We used the “original” Rotel tomatoes which are medium heat and loved it, but you can also grab the mild version or the hot version.
- Canned Coconut Milk – Make sure you grab canned, full-fat, unsweetened for this recipe! I love canned coconut milk because it is creamier and thicker than most dairy-free milks. I prefer the Thai Kitchen Brand here for smooth consistency and reusable cap. You can substitute another dairy-free milk, but add an additional 2 teaspoons of starch or flour to make the result thick enough when using a thinner milk.
- Nutritional Yeast – Nutritional Yeast is not the same as baker’s yeast. Though it’s derived from baker’s yeast, it’s been deactivated and cannot make things rise. Instead, it’s a commonly used for a cheesy dairy-free flavor. Don’t leave it out of this sauce – it’s essential to make it have that cheesy flavor! I get mine at Trader Joe’s (best flavor and cheapest), but you can also find it at Walmart.
- Chili powder – I buy my spices in bulk at Winco or Sam’s Club. Can use additional chili powder if you want more of a kick!
- Paprika – I buy my spices in bulk at Winco or Sam’s Club.
- Salt – Basic table salt works here!
- Chips, to serve – If you are on a Whole30, no store-bought chips (even with compatible ingredients) are allowed. I recommend making Tostones or Homemade Plantain Chips for a delicious Whole30 compatible option. If not on a Whole30, we love Siete Tortilla Chips for a Paleo, grain-free option. Trader Joe’s also sells pre-made tostones which are delicious. Or, use your favorite tortilla chips of choice!
Instructions
- In a large saute pan over medium heat, cook ground beef, onions, and minced garlic until beef is cooked through and onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
- While ground beef is cooking, in a medium mixing bowl whisk together the coconut milk, starch or flour, nutritional yeast, and all the seasonings.
- Once beef is cooked, add canned tomatoes and mixed sauce into the pan. Simmer, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes – until sauce has thickened and flavors have combined.
- Serve queso dip with your favorite chip of choice.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.
Whole30 Chili Con Queso Dip
A dairy-free version of an appetizer classic. Perfect for the big game, a party, or just a fast + fun dinner!
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef see notes for Vegan option!
- 1/2 medium yellow onion or white onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons fresh minced garlic or 2-3 cloves finely minced
- 20 ounces Rotel Tomatoes with diced green chilies
- 3 cups canned full-fat unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour can also use potato or arrowroot starch; tapioca preferred for the best cheese-like consistency
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- In a large saute pan over medium heat, cook ground beef, onions, and minced garlic until beef is cooked through and onions are translucent, about 10 minutes.
- While ground beef is cooking, in a medium mixing bowl whisk together the coconut milk, starch or flour, nutritional yeast, and all the seasonings.
- Once beef is cooked, add canned tomatoes and mixed sauce into the pan. Bring to a boil then simmer, stirring regularly, for 10-12 minutes - until sauce has thickened and flavors have combined.
- Serve queso dip with your favorite chip of choice. If you are on a Whole30, see notes for links to tostones or homemade plantain chip recipes.
- Store leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week or the freezer for up to 3 months.
Video
Notes
VEGAN OPTION: You can either use vegan ground "beef" crumbles, like these Whole30 Approved ones from Abbot's Butcher. OR, just saute the onions and garlic in 2 teaspoons oil, and then add in 2 cans of rinsed black beans with the sauce.
On a Whole30? You can make your own Tostones or Homemade Plantain Chips.
See the Ingredients section of the blog post above for possible substitutions, details on the tostones I use to keep this Whole30, and links to favorite brands/products.
Note: Nutrition facts do not include the tostones or chips of choice.
Nutrition
Calories: 681kcalCarbohydrates: 16gProtein: 26gFat: 59gSaturated Fat: 41gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 81mgSodium: 698mgPotassium: 851mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 421IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 9mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Chefs kiss! 10 out of 10 YUM! I just made it and loved it.
I’m so happy it turned out great and that you enjoyed it! Love that it got a 10/10 in your book. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review!
Just made this with chorizo. I didn’t put in chili powder or paprika. It was delicious! This will be my go to dip!
So glad to hear it! Using chorizo sounds like an awesome twist, and skipping the chili and paprika clearly didn’t hold back the flavor (and probably a good idea when using a seasoned meat already like chorizo). Love that it’s earned a permanent spot as your go-to dip — thanks so much for sharing your feedback!
Thank you so much for this recipe. Our daughter (26) used to love cheese dip. She is now dairy free (allergy). I made this for a fellowship and she loved it. It is one recipe that I was afraid to make for her, but she loved it. Normally a dairy free cheese dish has a non cheese flavor, but this one has so much flavor, you don’t miss it. Thank you again for the recipe.
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m so happy to hear your daughter loved it — that’s awesome. It’s such a win when a dairy-free version still hits all those cheesy notes! I’m so glad this one brought some joy (and flavor!) back to her plate.
Wow! This was SO good and felt so comforting and like party food and yet it was healthy for us. We LOVED making the tostones with it….SO worth the effort because it’s THAT good! It was a hit with our whole fam! I love that I can make this for get-togethers now too!
YESSSS! Thrilled this one was a big hit. You are so right – perfect to take to any party and I hands-down agree that the tostones are worth the work. Thank you for the review!
I made this for Super Bowl for my husband & I – DELICIOUS!!! Tastes so cheesy! My husband is vegetarian & I have a vegan daughter, so I put black beans instead of ground beef.
I’m so happy this one was a “cheesy” delicious win for everyone in your household! Glad to hear the black beans worked well for you instead of the beef to meet those vegan needs. Thank you!
I made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! We are currently doing Whole30 so served it over baked potatoes. My teenage daughter said, “ It’s so good, I loved it. It tastes like eating comfort food.” Will definitely make again!
I made this for dinner last night and it was a hit! We are currently doing Whole30 so served it over baked potatoes. My teenage daughter said, “ It’s so good, I loved it. It tastes like eating comfort food.” Will definitely make again!
YESS! I love a teenager win, so great! How fantastic it was a hit with your family and one you want to make again. Thank you for the review!
This is SO YUMMY! I made it for a Super Bowl appetizer and someone else brought another Queso dip, but everyone was eating this one! You would never know it was dairy free.
WAHOO that this recipe was a hit with everyone and that no one missed the cheese with this recipe! Thank you for the review!
Hi! So excited to try this recipe for Super Bowl this weekend. Wondering if I could exclude the ground beef all together as the ground beef will be part of our nacho bar spread already.
Will excluding the ground beef change the consistency or flavor of the queso?
Great question, and I love that you want this as a part of your Super Bowl spread! I haven’t specifically tried it, but I believe the queso would still be delicious without the ground beef. Let me know if you try it!
Absolutely amazing! Easy recipe and so perfect with plantains for the Super Bowl.
WAHOO! I’m so happy to hear this one was a Super Bowl hit that came out great and was easy to make. Thank you for the review!