1. Cook the Ground Beef: The Foundation of Flavor

1. Heat Skillet: Place a large skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Add Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the hot skillet.
3. Brown the Beef: Cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or heat-resistant spatula as it cooks. Continue to cook until the beef is fully browned and no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Drain Grease: Once the beef is browned, carefully drain off any excess grease from the skillet.

2. Season the Beef: Adding Layers of Flavor

1. Add Seasonings: Sprinkle the cooked ground beef with ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, ¼ teaspoon of black pepper, and ⅛ teaspoon of red pepper flakes (or more, to taste).
2. Stir to Combine: Stir well to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the beef.

3. Incorporate the Beer: A Unique Flavor Dimension

1. Pour in Beer: Pour ¾ cup of beer (IPA or your preferred type) into the skillet with the seasoned ground beef.
2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 4-5 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce slightly and the flavors to meld.

4. Melt the Cheeses: Creating a Creamy, Cheesy Base

1. Reduce Heat: Reduce the heat to medium-low.
2. Add Cheeses: Add the shredded Pepper Jack cheese and the cubed Velveeta cheese to the skillet.
3. Stir Until Melted: Stir the cheeses into the beef mixture occasionally until they are completely melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.

5. Add Remaining Ingredients: Completing the Queso

1. Incorporate Beans, Onion, Jalapeno, and Tomatoes: Add the drained and rinsed black beans, finely diced red onion, finely diced jalapeno, and drained diced tomatoes with green chiles to the skillet.
2. Stir to Combine: Stir everything together until well combined.

6. Heat Through: Final Simmer for Flavor Fusion

1. Cook: Continue to cook the queso over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes, or until all the ingredients are heated through and well combined.

7. Garnish and Serve: The Finishing Touches

1. Garnish: Garnish the Cowboy Queso with freshly diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, and a few lime wedges for squeezing over the top.
2. Serve Immediately: Serve the queso immediately while it’s hot and the cheese is melted and gooey.
3. Serve with Chips: Offer a generous bowl of tortilla chips alongside for dipping.