Queso Fundido with Chorizo
A classic Mexican appetizer featuring gooey, melted cheese and spicy chorizo, all served bubbling hot from the skillet. Perfect for dipping with tortilla chips or warm tortillas, this dish is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser and comes together in under 25 minutes.
For 6 servings
5 steps. 13 minutes total.
- 1
Preheat your oven's broiler to high
- a.Prepare all your ingredients by shredding the cheeses and finely chopping the onion, jalapeño, and garlic.
- 2
Heat a 10-inch oven-safe skillet (cast iron is ideal) over medium-high heat
- a.Add the chorizo and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. If there is excessive grease, carefully drain most of it, leaving about 1 tablespoon in the skillet. Add the chopped onion and jalapeño to the skillet. Sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 3
Reduce the heat to low
- a.Sprinkle both shredded cheeses evenly over the chorizo mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Let the cheese melt gently without stirring, until it becomes gooey and starts to bubble, about 5-6 minutes.
- 4
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven
- a.Broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese is bubbly and has golden brown spots on top.
- 5
Step 5
- a.Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve immediately in the hot skillet with warm tortillas or tortilla chips for dipping.
What to keep in mind.
5 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1For the best, smoothest melt, shred your own cheese from a block. Pre-shredded cheeses contain anti-caking agents that can make the dip grainy.
- 2Use a cast-iron skillet. It retains heat beautifully, keeping the queso fundido warm and bubbly at the table.
- 3Serve immediately! This dish is best enjoyed straight from the oven while the cheese is hot and molten.
- 4Don't over-stir the cheese once it's added. Let it melt into a gooey layer on top of the chorizo.
- 5Feel free to add other ingredients like sautéed mushrooms or poblano peppers for extra flavor and texture.
Adapt it for your goals.
Vegetarian
Replace the chorizo with 8 ounces of soyrizo or a mix of sautéed mushrooms and diced poblano peppers.
kid friendlyKid friendly
Omit the jalapeño pepper and use a mild chorizo to keep the heat level down.
gluten freeGluten free
The dip itself is naturally gluten-free. Ensure you serve it with corn tortillas or certified gluten-free tortilla chips.
quickQuick
To save time, use a high-quality pre-shredded Mexican cheese blend, but be aware it may not melt as smoothly as block cheese.