• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Game Day Eats logo
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Game Day Dip Recipes

    Tamale Dip

    Sep 7, 2023 · Leave a Comment

    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Chili cheese tamale dip in a bowl and tortilla chips around it.
    Closeup of a bowl of tamale dip.
    Tamale dip ingredients and the finished dip in a bowl.
    A bowl of chili cheese tamale dip and tortilla chips around it.
    Closeup of tamale dip in a white bowl.
    A bowl of chili cheese tamale dip on a platter with tortilla chips.
    Tamale dip in a white bowl with corn tortilla chips around it.

    Spice up your gatherings with Tamale Dip! Crafted with canned tamales, robust chili, creamy Velveeta cheese, spicy beans, and zesty Rotel tomatoes and chilies, this easy Crock Pot recipe will turn every game day into a fiesta.

    It's the perfect blend of comforting and zippy flavors that'll have your guests coming back for seconds...and thirds! Just dump the ingredients in the slow cooker, and let it do its magic. Perfect for potlucks and parties.

    Tamale dip and tortilla chips on a platter.

    This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Table of Contents

    • What Makes Tamale Dip the Perfect Dip for a Large Gathering? 
    • Why You Should Try This Recipe 
    • Tamale Dip Ingredients
    • Ingredient Notes
    • How to Make Crock Pot Tamale Dip
    • Alternate Cooking Methods
    • Recipe Variations 
    • What to Serve With Crock Pot Tamale Dip
    • How to Store the Leftovers 
    • How to Reheat Tamale Dip
    • More Game Day Dips
    • Tamale Dip

    What Makes Tamale Dip the Perfect Dip for a Large Gathering? 

    Are you looking to feed a crowd without breaking the bank or spending hours over a hot stove? This Velveeta Tamale Dip might be the perfect take-along for potlucks, tailgates, or other large gatherings.

    It's meaty, cheesy, and has enough spice to be interesting. And talk about simple. Tamale Dip with canned tamales is only a little more complicated than the average dump-and-heat recipe, but it is so much more delicious. Don't miss the chance to serve this dip at your next event. 

    Why You Should Try This Recipe 

    With most of the ingredients coming out of cans, you don't need to be a master chef to make this crave-worthy dip. But don't think that means this recipe is bland and boring because it definitely isn't.

    There are quite a few Tamale Dip recipes online, but you won't find another that delivers such a hearty, satisfying taste as this one. Check out the "Recipe Variation" section for several suggestions for tweaking this dip to match your preferences. 

    Tamale Dip Ingredients

    For this Tamale Dip recipe, you'll need:

    • Beef tamales, canned 
    • Jalapeno pepper
    • Cilantro
    • Velveeta cheese
    • Tomatoes
    • Red onion
    • Chili with or without beans, canned
    • Hot chili beans, canned
    • Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
    • Cumin
    • Tabasco sauce
    • Ground black pepper
    Tamale dip ingredients on a tray.

    Ingredient Notes

    Making Tamale Dip with canned tamales, like Horme Beef Tamales, is convenient, but you can certainly substitute fresh tamales if you prefer. Just make sure to remove the corn husks before using them. 

    Ranch Style Beans are a popular brand of chili beans, but you can go with your favorite.

    How to Make Crock Pot Tamale Dip

    To prepare this Tamale Dip recipe:

    1. Remove the paper wrapper from the tamales.
    2. Roughly chop tamales, jalapeno, cilantro, and Velveeta cheese. 
    3. Seed and dice the tomatoes into medium pieces. 
    4. Mince the red onion.
    5. Add all of the ingredients into the bowl of the slow cooker.
    Tamale dip ingredients in a crock pot.
    1. Cover and cook the dip on LOW until the cheese melts. Stir from time to time. 
    2. Transfer to a bowl and serve immediately. For a more casual occasion, you can keep the dip in the crock pot set to the WARM setting. 

    Alternate Cooking Methods

    Oven Baked

    1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick spray.
    2. Prep the ingredients and place them in a large mixing bowl. Stir to combine.
    3. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and cover with foil.
    4. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

    Stovetop

    1. Prep the ingredients and place them in a large saucepan or Dutch oven.
    2. Heat over low heat, stirring often, until hot throughout.
    Tamale dip in a bowl with tortilla chips beside it.

    Recipe Variations 

    There are a lot of ingredients in Velveeta Tamale Dip, but feel free to switch or eliminate some. Here are a few options for you to try:

    • Get rid of the red meat. Use canned chicken tamales and chicken chili instead of beef. 
    • Substitute the variety of the Rotel and chili beans. There are lots of types of Rotel. Try the version with chipotle peppers to add a smoky component to the dip. If you love hot and spicy food, you can't beat the Ranch Style Beans with jalapeno peppers. 
    • Not really into spicy food? Reduce the amount or leave the jalapeno peppers and Tabasco sauce out altogether. 
    • Bring more flavor to the dip with salsa. Skip the fresh tomatoes and use 12 ounces of your favorite salsa or pico de gallo. 
    • Give people what they want: Avocados! Add a layer of guacamole to the top of the dip immediately before serving.
    • Add more cheese: Sprinkle some Monterey Jack or sharp cheddar cheese on top or stir it in.

    What to Serve With Crock Pot Tamale Dip

    Start with various traditional dippers like pita, bagel, and corn chips. But there is no need to stop there. Spread this dip on toasted bread or use it as a topping for a baked potato or a bowl of white rice. It will also make the perfect burrito or taco cup filling. 

    How to Store the Leftovers 

    Throw away any extra dip that you served to be safe, but you can keep any unserved dip in the fridge. Spread the dip on a rimmed baking tray to cool quicker, then transfer it to an airtight container. It should stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to three days. 

    How to Reheat Tamale Dip

    If you have time, the best way to reheat the dip is in a slow cooker set to LOW. Stir frequently.

    For faster reheating, put the Tamale Dip in a microwave-safe bowl, cover the bowl, and heat the food at medium power for one minute. Stir the dip and continue heating it in one-minute increments until hot. 

    A bowl of tamale dip and tortilla chips on a wood platter.

    More Game Day Dips

    • Curry Dip
    • Shrimp Layer Dip
    • Mexican Corn Dip

    Find lots of easy recipes for dips right here on Game Day Eats!

    Tamale dip in a bowl and tortilla chips around it on a platter.
    Print Recipe

    Tamale Dip

    Canned tamales, chili, cheese, and more make an incredibly flavorful dip.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Cook Time1 hour hr
    Total Time1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Dip Recipes
    Servings: 10
    Calories: 236kcal

    Ingredients

    • 28 ounces beef tamales wrappers removed
    • 10 ounces canned chili with or without beans
    • 14 ounces canned hot chili beans e.g., Ranch Style Beans
    • 10 ounces canned Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies
    • 1 pound Velveeta cheese cut into chunks
    • 1 cup minced red onion
    • 2 tomatoes chopped
    • 1 jalapeño or other hot chili pepper chopped
    • ¼ cup chopped cilantro
    • 1 teaspoon cumin
    • 2 teaspoons Tabasco sauce
    • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

    Instructions

    • Combine all the ingredients in a slow cooker and mix well.
    • Heat until the cheese is melted, stirring occasionally.
    • Serve with tortilla chips.

    Notes

    To control the spice level, add a small amount of jalapeño and Tabasco sauce before heating and then add more to taste.
    This makes a LOT of dip. Make it when you are expecting a crowd!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 236kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 27mg | Sodium: 1424mg | Potassium: 572mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 1005IU | Vitamin C: 51mg | Calcium: 294mg | Iron: 2mg

    More Game Day Dip Recipes

    • Homemade green onion dip and fresh vegetables.
      Green Onion Dip
    • Hot pimento cheese dip and crackers.
      Hot Pimento Cheese Dip
    • Beef jerky dip and crackers on a platter.
      Beef Jerky Dip
    • Corn chip dip in a bowl and corn chips.
      Corn Chip Dip
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Stephanie Manley

    Hi, I'm Stephanie! I love to cook and share my recipes with all of my viewers. I want to inspire people to cook at home and make great memories of sharing meals with their friends and family

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Frosted cookie dough cookies on a marble surface.
      Cookie Dough Cookies
    • Smoked pulled pork tacos, cheese, and pico de gallo on a plate.
      Smoked Pulled Pork Tacos
    • Honey garlic chicken wings.
      Honey Garlic Chicken Wings
    • Pulled pork nachos loaded with toppings.
      Pulled Pork Nachos

    Categories

    • Air Fryer Appetizers for the Win on Game Day
    • Appetizers for Game Day
    • Game Day Beef Recipes: Delicious and Easy to Make Main Dishes
    • Game Day Crockpot Recipes
    • Game Day Dip Recipes
    • Game Day Party Perfection: Dessert Recipes to Wow Your Guests
    • Game Day Party Perfection: Main Dish Recipes for a Crowd
    • Game Day Pork Recipes
    • Game Day Seafood Recipes
    • Oven-Baked Game Day Eats
    • Party Chicken Recipes: Grilled and Smoked Wings, Skewers, and Burgers
    • Score Big with These Smoker Recipes for Game Day
    • Tailgating Grill Recipes
    • Tasty Wings for Game Day

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    General Info

    • About
    • Privacy & Disclosure
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Work With Me

    Copyright © Game Day Eats