Chorizo Queso Fundido isn’t your typical cheese dip. In fact, I’m not even sure if I’d refer to it has a dip. The cheese is so rich you can’t really dip anything. More of a scoop and shovel. LOL.
It is more like a cheesy spread than anything. Queso dip, or chili con queso, typically starts by making a blond roux (butter and flour), then adding milk and lastly, blending in cheese.
Chorizo Queso Fundido is just pure, simple melted cheese. Melted cheese at its finest with a few select enhancements, like delicious Mexican chorizo.
Why You’ll Love This Chorizo Queso Fundido Recipe
Melty cheese with spicy sausage and served with warm tortilla chips- what’s not to love?
- Perfect for parties – Because this dip is all made in one skillet and ready in 20 minutes, it makes it perfect for serving to guests for any occasion.
- Totally customizable – Whether you switch up the cheeses, the veggies or what you dip into it, you can totally make this dip your own.
- Loved by all – I mean, who doesn’t love gooey, melty cheese?? And once you add in some crisp veggies and mexican chorizo it can’t be beat!
Chorizo Queso Fundido Ingredients
No need to make a special trip to a Latin grocery store, these simple ingredients can be found at most local grocery stores.
- Vegetable oil – You will use this to sauté the veggies and chorizo that will be the base of this delicious appetizer.
- Chorizo – If you’d like to know more about chorizo, check the section below. Make sure it is cooked and crumbled or chopped.
- White onion – I prefer using white onion rather than red onion. Mostly because the flavor is a little more mild.
- Bell peppers – I like to use a combination or red bell pepper and green bell pepper not only for flavor but for texture and color too.
- Fresh cilantro – Fresh cilantro is used in lots of Mexican food. It adds a little extra flavor, but we also use it as a garnish to add some color.
- Jalapeno – Jalapenos are sauteed with the rest of the veggies to add a little spice. Be sure to remove the seeds if you don’t want it to be too hot.
- Chili powder– This gets added to the veggies to give them some real Mexican flavor. For some spice you could even add some red pepper flakes too.
- Shredded cheese – I used a blend of pepper jack cheese and cheddar cheese. Other good options would be monterey jack cheese or even chihuahua cheeses or Mexican cheeses if you can find them. Pre shredded, bagged cheese is great, but typically tossed in a special blend of powders to help it not clump together in the bag. This inhibits you from getting really melty, gooey cheese.
- Lime – To finish off this authentic queso fundido, we squeeze fresh lime juice right on top of the cheese. It provides a sharper flavor and balances everything out well.
- Plum tomato – Instead of adding into the mix, I like to sprinkle them on top. Make sure they are diced with seeds and pulp removed.
- Tortilla chips – You can eat this dip the traditional way and dip a crispy tortilla chip into it, or add it to warm flour tortillas to make a queso quesadilla of sorts.
How to Make Chorizo Queso Fundido
You are going to love how easy it is to make this melted cheese recipe!
- Add oil to pan. Heat medium cast iron skillet or some other over-safe pan over high heat. When hot, add vegetable oil.
- Cook chorizo and veggies. Add chorizo, white onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeno and chili powder. Sauté until soft, approximately 2-3 minutes. Drain excess fat on a paper towel if needed.
- Prepare broiler. Heat oven broiler to high heat.
- Add cheese. Sprinkle cheese evenly over chorizo and vegetable mixture. Don’t attempt to stir it, it will get clumpy.
- Broil. Place under broiler for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted, brown and bubbly.
- Add toppings. Remove and top with the juice of one fresh lime, diced tomatoes, and additional cilantro, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips!
How to Serve Chorizo Queso Fundido
Chorizo Queso Fundido can be served with chips or flour tortillas. I like to make my own homemade corn tortilla chips (they are super easy and taste SO much better!) or buy small flour tortillas.
After being flambéed (also known as thrown under the broiler), the cheese will only stay cheesy for about 10-15 minutes, so eat fast! You can store leftovers and re-melt.
They even taste delicious on top of a grilled chicken breast marinated in Italian dressing.
Variations
We like this queso fundido con chorizo recipe exactly as written, but there are plenty of ways to make this good food to your liking.
- Beer – You can add a small amount of beer, but it will make it less cheesy and more liquidy. Not the worst thing in the world, right?
- Extra veggies – Other ways to customize your chorizo queso fundido recipe is to add chopped serrano chiles, poblano chiles, chopped onions or scallions (or green onions,) garlic, bell peppers.
- Cheese – Use a variety of ooey gooey cheeses. Some common cheeses are oaxaca cheese, monterey jack or cheddar. You can even fold in salsa.
Storage, Reheating and Freezing
Storage: You can store any leftovers in the refrigerator. Instead of an airtight container, leave the dip in the skillet and cover tightly with aluminum foil. You can’t really freeze this recipe- it will just be a brick of frozen cheese. I prefer mine to be fresh and since it is an easy recipe, that isn’t tough to do.
Reheating: You can reheat chorizo queso fundido if you have any leftovers. Simply reheat the way you heated the first time. As with any straight melted cheese, I highly recommend against using the microwave.
Freezing: You can also freeze this dip. Add to an airtight container and freeze for up to six months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chorizo sausage is a Spanish sausage that can range from a smoky to spicy flavor. It typically has a bright red hue and can also be smoked and cured.
Traditional Queso Fundido is made with grated Oaxaca, mozzarella cheese, or a combination of both. Oaxaca makes for a perfectly gooey, string cheese and won’t get gummy easily, but it can also be more challenging to find and expensive.
More Mexican Inspired Recipes
- Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
- Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas
- Mexican Lasagna Roll Ups
- Fresh Pico de Gallo
- Arepas con Queso
Chorizo Queso Fundido
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
- ½ cup chorizo ,cooked and crumbled or chopped
- 2 tablespoons white onion , diced
- 2 tablespoons green bell pepper , diced
- 2 tablespoons red bell pepper , diced
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro , chopped
- 1 jalapeno s , seeds removed finely diced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese , shredded
- 1 1/2 cup sharp cheddar , shredded
- 1 lime wedges
- 1 plum tomato , diced with seeds and pulp removed
- Tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat medium cast iron skillet or some other over-safe pan over high heat. When hot, add vegetable oil.
- Add chorizo, white onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cilantro, jalapeno and chili powder. Sauté until soft, approximately 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Heat oven broiler to high heat.
- Sprinkle cheese evenly over chorizo and vegetable mixture. Don’t attempt to stir it, it will get clumpy.
- Place under broiler for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is melted, brown and bubbly.
- Remove and top with the juice of one fresh lime, diced tomatoes, and additional cilantro, if desired. Serve with tortilla chips!
- If you tried this recipe, make sure to come back and let us know how you liked it!
There is nothing I love more than cheesy dips and this certainly fits the bill! I am saving this recipe for football season as I think this dip would be perfect for a hungry crowd.
oh I can truly see this becoming so addicting and eating this any chance I get wow!
Whether you dip, scoop or spread I know I’d love this, chorizo and cheese two of my favourite ingredients!
Queso fundido is the best! gotta put chorizo in it now, you’ve convinced me to it, lol
OMG this chorizo queso fundido may just be the most delicious thing i’ve seen all week! Can’t wait to give it a go 🙂