Need a great appetizer for game day parties, movie nights and family gatherings? Look no further than our mouthwatering Queso Fundido, a deliciously cheesy dip that's packed with flavor and perfect for any occasion. In this easy recipe, we'll show you how to make the best queso dip you have ever had using a slow cooker or stovetop method.
There are a LOT of Tex-Mex restaurants in Austin, TX. How do you know when you are in a really good Tex-Mex restaurant? Well, if the salsa is fresh and lively and not out of a can and the queso is hot and made with real cheese, chances are the rest of the meal will be pretty darn good.
This is my adaptation of a delicious queso fundido that I had at a great Tex-Mex restaurant in Austin, TX. When you are buying the ingredients to make queso fundido, spend a little more and buy good tortilla chips, it makes a difference.
This was inspired by my other recipe for Brisket Queso and Chorizo Breakfast Tacos.
Ingredients
- Chorizo peeled
- White onion
- Garlic cloves
- Jalapeño peppers
- Water
- Heavy cream
- White American cheese
- Fresh cilantro
- Lime juice
- Tortilla chips
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
There are a lot of choices for chorizo. I have seen links, chubs and butcher-prepared shrink wrap packages. Chorizo also comes hot, medium and mild. For this dish, it doesn't matter what you buy. Just remember to remove the casing if you buy chorizo links.
If you feel adventurous, try making chorizo from scratch, it's really not that hard. Try my recipe for Homemade Texas Red Chorizo.
Start by browning the chorizo. Heat the peeled chorizo in one tablespoon of canola oil, over medium-high heat, until browned. It can be hard to tell when chorizo is cooked because it doesn't change color like ground beef does. Cook for 8 minutes and it will be done. Remove the chorizo from the pan and set aside. Blot the skillet with paper towels to remove excess grease.
Good queso starts with with onion, garlic and a bit of jalapeño pepper. Add the olive oil and onion to pan used to brown the chorizo and cook for 3 minutes until the onion softens. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add ½ cup of water and scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
Queso fundido is made with real cheese and a lot of it. Look for white American cheese at the deli counter in your local market. Buy a pound and have them slice it nice and thick.
Add ¼ cup of the heavy cream to the sauteéd vegetables and simmer for one minute. Then add the cheese and stir every 30 seconds. Once the cheese has melted, add the remaining cream and stir until combined.
Finally, stir in the chorizo and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Then add the lime juice and stir.
Spoon the finished queso fundido into a serving bowl, top with cilantro and serve with warm tortilla chips.
Variations
Creative additions to queso fundido include ingredients like mushrooms, jalapeños, bell peppers and grilled shrimp.
Queso can be also be made with yellow American cheese, but the color will be different. The chorizo adds a lot of color so white American creates a more visually appealing dish.
Some queso recipes use cream cheese, pepper jack cheese, Monterey jack cheese or Velveeta cheese as the main cheese ingredient. Having tried them all, it's my opinion that good old white American cheese works the best. The creamy consistency is perfect, so why mess with it.
Equipment
This queso was made on a stove top using a cast iron skillet. It could also have been made in crock pot or slow cooker. Simply cook the chorizo and vegetables on a range top in a large skillet, as done in this recipe, then finish it in the slow cooker on low heat.
Storage
Store leftover queso fundido in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Wrap Up
This cheese dip is the perfect party food and a sure crowd-pleaser. It's versatile, easy to make, and offers a delicious fusion of Tex-Mex flavors. So whether you're gearing up for the super bowl, planning a movie night, or hosting a family gathering, this meaty queso dip is the ultimate choice for an easy party appetizer. Enjoy!
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe.
📖 Recipe
Chorizo Queso Fundido Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb chorizo peeled (if in a casing), cooked and chopped
- 1 cup white onion diced
- 1 glove garlic diced
- 1 jalapeno pepper
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup heavy cream divided
- 16 oz white American cheese cubed or grated
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- 1 lime juiced
- 3 cups tortilla chips
Instructions
- Heat the peeled chorizo in 1 tablespoon of canola oil until browned. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In a medium sauce pan, add the olive oil and onion. Cook for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Be careful and do not let the garlic burn. Add ½ cup of water and scrape up all the brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
- Add ¼ cup of the heavy cream and simmer for one minute. Add the cheese and stir every 30 seconds.
- Once the cheese has melted, add the remaining cream and stir until combined. Stir in the chorizo and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Add the lime juice and stir.
- Place in a serving bowl and top with cilantro and serve with chips.
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