A quick and easy hamburger dip that everyone will seriously love. It’s really cheesy but doesn’t use any processed cheese so it has a real rich cheddar flavor.
I often take my Beer Cheese Dip to potlucks with me. And then people started requesting it specifically. Suddenly, any potluck or party I went to, people wanted me to bring my famous dip with me. Sometimes there is too much of a good thing, so I decided I needed to change things up to rescue myself from dip boredom.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Video: Making Easy Hamburger Dip
Cheesy Hamburger Dip
Change it up I did! I made a Cheesy Hamburger Dip. It’s so good. It has lots of ground beef plus salsa for an extra ton of flavor without a ton of effort. You can use a homemade salsa or one from the store. Spicy or mild, you pick to make this dip perfect for you.
The great thing about this hamburger dip is that it uses the same basic idea as that infamous beer cheese dip recipe. The base is an easy flour and milk mixture. Then you add real cheese, no processed cheese for this dip. This one instead uses real shredded cheddar. It’s still creamy like the other versions but it has that real cheddar flavor instead of that processed taste.
Make It In Advance
Want to prepare this dip ahead of your party or gameday? No problem!
Make the dip using the directions below, then let it cool down and put in the fridge. When you’re ready to enjoy it, reheat in the microwave for 45 seconds at a time, stirring after each heat, until heated through. Or reheat on the stove over medium heat, stirring frequently.
More Delicious Dip Recipes
If you love this easy hamburger dip, you might enjoy some of these other crowd favorite dips.
- Classic Taco Dip
- Nacho Dip Recipe
- 3-Ingredient Sausage Dip
- Jalapeno Popper Dip
- Crab Cake Dip Recipe
- White Bean Dip
Podcast Episode: Making Hamburger Dip
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this dip, along with some other great tips, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print
Easy Hamburger Dip with Real Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
DESCRIPTION
A quick and easy hamburger dip that everyone will seriously love. It’s really cheesy but doesn’t use any processed cheese so it has a real rich cheddar flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 3 Tbsp. flour
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup salsa
- 3 cups (about 3/4 of a pound) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the ground beef, salt, and garlic powder.
- Cook stirring occasionally until cooked through, 7-8 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Stir in the flour really well. Slowly stir in the milk, then stir in the salsa.
- Put the saucepan over medium heat, stirring often until bubbling. Remove from heat.
- Add the cheddar 1 cup at a time, stirring well after each addition until it’s melted in.
- Serve immediately. Or cover and refrigerate and reheat when you’re ready.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
This post originally appeared in January 2016. It was revised and republished in May 2023.
My review/comment: I was on the hunt for different and easy to make dips and saved this recipe about a month ago and kept thinking of it and finally got around to making it today as an easy lunch. I knew it would be easy and a quick lunch.
I used vegetable oil because I have no olive oil. I did not measure the oil and I used garlic salt as the 1lb of hamburger cooked without measuring and I used an extra table spoon of flour because I like my dips on the thicker side, used a cup of milk and a mild cup of jar salsa and 2 cups worth of cheese was absolutely plenty, I do think a 3rd cup of cheese would be overboard.
This was an easy lunch and I recommend it for parties or a quick lunch or dinner on your table that your kids will totally have fun with and enjoy. My 8 year daughter loved it. Served with tortilla chips and sour cream.
No need to drain anything as was asked above because you need some oil for the flour part.
I absolutely loved this cheesy hamburger dip. It will be great for just a quick snack at home as well if you’re in the mood for a hassle free snack. Super easy to make.
Amazingly good! This from someone who likes quick and hassle free recipes.
Kind of reminded me more of sort of a hamburger gravy which I love, but made slightly different.
Thank you so much. We will enjoy this one now and then.
Thank you so much for your thorough review and adjustments, Gracie! Glad you enjoyed.
Could you replace the salsa with a can of Rotel?
You could in a pinch, Cassandra! We discuss the difference between salsa and Rotel over here – https://thecookful.com/is-rotel-salsa/
I was at a party just today and the hostess made a hamburger cheese dip. I know that she used velvetta cheese so I bet this recipe is better.
Give it a try and compare, Sarah!
I have a party to go to tonight, I’m taking this. Can’t wait to hear how everyone like it!
Awesome, Deborah! I hope it was a hit!
This sounds so delicious! I think my family would be thrilled for this to be on the table.
Thanks, Mary!
Cant wait to make this.
Enjoy, Francine!
The big game is coming up soon, maybe something to try!
Enjoy, Saundra!
I’ve never heard of hamburger dip, this sounds like a big bowl full of delicious! Do you serve it with just bread, or like, chips and crackers?
However you’d like, Angelica! Bread works great, but if you prefer tortilla chips, go for it! Crackers might have a harder time scooping up the ground beef on this one.
i’ve been looking for a cheese dip and I’ve found it with this recipe. Folks just go nuts for it.
Yay! Enjoy, Jaye!
One of my all-time favorite dips.
Thanks, Cheryl!
Ohh I had this when I was young and forgot all about it, I love this stuff
It’s fun to rediscover foods, isn’t it, Jennifer?
This looks incredible. I think zi am going to try it for our family Christmas dinner.
Enjoy, Michael!
Interesting recipe, sounds like a good idea. Starting with olive oil though.. hm
This dip looks so good! Im always in charge of bringing the dip for get togethers,Im doing this recipe!
Awesome, Debbie! We’ve got lots of great dip recipes if you need to switch it up!
This will make for an easy dip to make when we have friends over.
Let us know how everyone likes it, Sandy!
Quick, easy, and so delicious! I’ll be trying this one!
Let us know how you like it, Sharon!
I just made this recipe for tonight’s (Christmas Eve) Appetizer Night. Outstanding!
Anne, That’s wonderful to hear. Thanks for letting me know. Merry Christmas!
Hamburger Dip looks like it would taste awesome!?
Looks amazing. Dumb question though, do you drain the ground beef after cooking? I can see it going both ways, and just wanna make sure.
Actually, either way works. You’re using lean ground beef so there shouldn’t be much to drain. But if there is some liquid, do drain it off.
I’m making this right now for a potluck at work tomorrow. Have you ever made this ahead of time and reheated it in a crockpot? I thought if I plugged it in when I get to work, it will be hot enough for lunch time.
Melissa, Yes, I have done that. It works well. Just make sure you’re using the warm setting. If your slow cooker only has high and low, then use low but it won’t take very long to heat up. Check it regularly and give it a stir now and then. I hope it’s a success for your potluck!