Slow Cooker Taco Dip

This 7-ingredient Slow Cooker Taco Dip is simple to assemble and the ultimate appetizer for any party. Use the ground meat of your choice and add salsa, chiles and seasonings for a bite full of great flavor.

When it comes to entertaining a large crowd, this Slow Cooker Taco Dip is always on the menu. It's the best appetizer that everyone will love. Layers of cheese, meat, chilies and spices bring a big bite of flavor every time.

Better yet, this dip is just 7 ingredients so anyone can make it successfully. The prep time is also just 10 minutes too, so instead of spending the whole party inside cooking, you can hang out with your family and friends.

We love to add this to a spread of BBQ Chicken Sliders and Chick Fil-A Chicken Minis. If you want to try more slow cooker recipes, be sure to make our Slow Cooker Barbecue Beef and Crock Pot Carnitas.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

• 7-Ingredient Dip. This taco dip has just a handful of ingredients making it easy to assemble for any party or gathering.
• Let the slow cooker do the work for you. Besides browning the beef, the slow cooker does all of the cooking so you can sit back and relax with family and friends.
• An appetizer everyone loves! We mean it when we say that everyone will be asking for the recipe for this crockpot taco dip.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed and Full Recipe in the Recipe Card Below.

• Ground beef or ground turkey or chicken: The protein for the taco dip, there are many options to choose from. You can also opt to use ground sausage.
• Cream cheese: Adds the creaminess to the dip.
• Velveeta or American cheese cubed: Gives that classic taco dip flavor and makes it super creamy.
• Salsa: Use the spice level of your choosing.
• Rotel (diced tomatoes and green chilies): This adds nice fresh chili flavor.
• Taco seasoning: The seasoning that helps to flavor the dip.
• Milk or Half and Half: Creates a creamy and smooth texture and balances the richness of the dip.
• Dippers: tortilla chips, corn chip scoops, raw vegetables are all great choices.

Tools You'll Need

• 2 Quart Crock Pot
• Large Skillet 
• Meat Chopper

How to Make Slow Cooker Taco Dip

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, add ground beef. Crumble and cook until no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes.

2. Pour the cooked beef into a colander and drain excess grease. Blot with paper towels if needed.
3. To a 2 quart or larger crockpot, add half of the Velveeta or American cheese, half of the salsa and Rotel, half of the beef, and half of the taco seasoning. Repeat these layers. 

4. Cover and cook on low heat. Stir every 20-30 minutes, until melted and smooth. The time for it to become smooth will depend on the crockpot brand and size. It should be smooth in approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
5. Whisk in ¾ cup milk or half and half. Add more to desired texture. Set the heat to warm.

6. Serve with individual small bowls as well as tortilla chips, corn chip scoops, or raw vegetables for dipping! 

Expert Tips

• Brown the meat in advance. This is the one extra step you need to take before adding everything into the slow cooker. It ensures the meat is cooked through and also gives you the opportunity to drain off any excess fat.
• Use Room Temperature Ingredients: If possible, let the cream cheese come to room temperature before cubing, as this helps it melt more smoothly in the slow cooker.
• Layer the ingredients correctly. This ensures that it melts together evenly and that you end up getting each ingredients flavor in each bite.
• Thin the dip with milk or half and half. Once the dip has fully come together, it'll be thick. Stir in milk or half and half to your preferred consistency.
• Add some spice! You can add cayenne pepper or serve with hot sauce if you like it spicy. Also, opt for spicy salsa and spicy rotel if you're opting for a hot and spicy dip.
• Test Seasoning. Taste and adjust the taco seasoning after the dip has melted; you can add more for an extra kick if desired. Taco seasoning from a packet or jar works great, but if you prefer a homemade version, simply mix together these ingredients and adjust to your preference: 1 tbsp chili powder, ½ tbsp ground cumin, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes, ½ tsp oregano, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper. 
• Ground Meat. Swap ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even crumbled sausage for different flavor profiles. For a vegetarian option, consider black beans or lentils instead.

Storage

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the slow cooker until melted through.

We don't recommend freezing this dip as it will change the texture.

You can make this dip up to an hour in advance before a party, or you can brown the beef earlier in the day and then assemble in the slow cooker! Remember, you may need to stir in more milk or half and half to get the perfect dippable texture.

FAQs

More Slow Cooker Recipes to Try

• Easy Slow Cooker Pork Roast
• Crockpot Marry Me Chicken
• Crockpot Sausage Tortellini Soup
• Slow Cooker Hamburger Helper