Crafty Cook Makes Cheese Dip Inspired By Texas Roadhouse's Rattlesnake Bites

If you love an appetizer with a kick of spice, there's a good chance Rattlesnake Bites are first on your list when you eat at Texas Roadhouse (they're also our favorite Texas Roadhouse appetizer). The appetizer doesn't actually contain any rattlesnake meat; rather, the moniker comes from the spicy "bite" you get when you enjoy these hushpuppy-sized, jalapeño- and cheese-filled delights. TikToker Breanna Stark shared how she created rattlesnake queso, a creamy, cheesy creation similar to jalapeño popper dip that packs some heat, letting anyone recreate the taste of the beloved Texas Roadhouse appetizer at home.

@marriedtobbq

Rattlesnake Queso 🐍🧀 this dip needs to be on the menu for your next tailgate 🔥 Smoked Rattlesnake Queso 🐍🧀 1lb hot breakfast sausage 8oz mozzarella 8oz pepper jack cheese 16oz queso blanco 8oz cream cheese 12oz diced jalapeños + juice 1/2 cup milk 1 tbsp steak seasoning 1. Preheat the smoker to 275°F. 2. Brown the breakfast sausage in a skillet, then transfer it to a baking dish or aluminum pan. 3. Chop the mozzarella, pepper jack & queso blanco into cubes and place them on top of the sausage. 4. Add the whole jar of diced jalapeños, including the juice. 5. Place the block of cream cheese on top. 6. Pour the milk on top. 7. Season the whole pan with steak seasoning. 8. Place the pan on the grates of your smoker & let it smoke for 45 minutes, then use a spoon to give it a good mix. 9. Let it smoke for 30 minutes more, or until it's fully melted. 10. Serve immediately alongside tortilla chips for dipping. #bbqtiktok #texas #gamedayfood #gamedayrecipes #steaktiktok

♬ original sound – Breanna Stark

You don't need much to create rattlesnake queso in your kitchen. Just brown a pound of sausage (she uses hot sausage, but you can use whatever variety you prefer), add a ton of cheese, including cream cheese, mozzarella, pepper Jack, and some queso blanco, and finish it off with some milk and seasoning. You can put the dip in an aluminum pan and melt it together on the smoker, as in the video, but it's also delicious baked in the oven or heated in a slow cooker.

There are plenty of ways you can customize rattlesnake queso. If the dip is a little too spicy, cut down on the jalapeño peppers or leave them out of the mix completely. If you still want the texture and color the peppers add, sub diced, cooked green peppers for jalapeños. You can also tone down the heat by using mild sausage instead of spicy, or omit the sausage completely and use ground beef instead.

If you want to ramp up the flavors in your dip, you have plenty of options. For a smoky hit, add chopped grilled poblano peppers. You can also crack open a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and add one or two to the mix (don't forget to add some of the sauce). Want to add a little kick of sweetness? Using sweet sausage instead of mild or hot versions helps, or you can also mix in some corn.

When it comes to dippers, you can stick with chips, but that's not the only way to go. Try pouring the dip over grilled chicken, using it as a topping for tacos, or spooning it into halved jalapeño peppers — toss them under the broiler for a few minutes for a spicy, tasty treat. If you want to bring things full circle, order some Rattlesnake Bites from Texas Roadhouse and dunk them in your homemade queso (you can thank us later).