This Queso Fundido recipe is the ultimate cheese dip with loads of gooey cheese, spicy chorizo and roasted poblanos, topped with a quick homemade salsa. Don't forget the chips! Best eaten hot, right away.
Queso Fundido
This queso fundido recipe is the ultimate game day appetizer! Whether it's Superbowl Sunday or just Friday night with friends, this queso dip will disappear with a quickness.
The name "Queso Fundido" translates to melted cheese, and that is literally what you're going to get with this recipe. It doesn't get any more unpretentious.
What you have is a mixture of cheeses melted over a pan of cooked chorizo, onions, roasted poblano peppers and garlic, then topped with a quickly made salsa and diced avocado.
Queso Fundido Ingredients
For the salsa topping:
- Tomato
- Jalapeño
- Cilantro
- Lime
- Salt
For the queso fundidio:
- Mexican Chorizo - Try my homemade Mexican chorizo. So good! Or use your favorite brand.
- Onion
- Garlic
- Roasted Poblano Peppers - See how to roast poblano peppers for further directions.
- Mexican Cheeses - You can use chihuahua cheeses.
- Salt and Pepper
How to Make Queso Fundido
Make the salsa topping. Start by making the salsa for the topping. Simply dice the tomato and jalapeno and toss it in a small bowl with a bit of chopped cilantro and lime juice. And maybe a splash of salt.
Cook the chorizo and onion. Next, heat your pan to medium high heat. A 10-inch pan is needed here, unless you're making a larger batch. I used a cast iron skillet. Worked perfectly. Add the onions and Mexican chorizo and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until the chorizo is cooked through and the onion is softened up.
Garlic and roasted poblano peppers. Add the garlic and roasted poblanos. Stir and heat for about a minute, stirring.
Swirl in the cheeses. Next, add the cheese in batches, stirring as you go. The cheeses will melt quickly into the pan and become delicious, ooey gooey queso fundido with delicious onions and peppers.
PRO TIP: It's going to start melting right away. Give it a little swirl. Let it melt nicely through. This is why you need a nice selection of melty cheeses. Think Asadero, Chihuahua, Monterrey Jack, even cheddar works nicely here. I like to use a blend. If there is too much oil on top for your preference, dab it with a paper towel to soak it up.
Top with salsa: When the cheeses are nicely melted, top the batch with your homemade salsa and serve it up. Serve it nice and hot with crispy tortilla chips.
Recipe Tips & Notes
- Squeeze of lime. I like to squeeze a bit of lime juice over the top first. THEN serve it. So here you go, YES, NOW you can eat it. Please! I hope you enjoy it! Just serve this up along with a bag of corn tortilla chips and watch it disappear.
- Serving queso fundido. I love to serve mine simply with tortilla chips as a party dip, but try serving them with flour tortillas for a super cheese taco! So good!
- Serve immediately. This cheese dip recipe is best when served immediately. It doesn't travel well, so don't plan on bringing it to a party unless you are going to make it there. I WAS able to make it at my house and bring it to a party right next door. It did survive the trip and lasted about 20 minutes on the table, but after a while, the cheeses cool down and congeal, so it won't be so perfectly melty anymore.
- Keep it warm. If you're unable to serve it right away, you can keep it warm at 250 degrees F in a large oven a bit until ready to serve. Just be sure to preheat the oven to get it in their quickly.
- Extra toppings. You can easily add in other toppings. Some of my other favorites are chopped avocado, diced green onion, fresh chopped cilantro and sour cream or crema.
Can I reheat queso fundido?
Yes, but it gets slightly rubbery, so it’s best to eat it right away. You can try by adding it back to the stovetop, but again, it just won't be the same. So enjoy quickly! I hope you like it.
Check Out Some of My Other Popular Spicy Dip Recipes
If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you'll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don't forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I'll be sure to share! Thanks! -- Mike H.
Queso Fundido Recipe
Ingredients
SALSA TOPPING
- 1 small tomato chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 1 lime
- Salt to taste
FOR THE QUESO FUNDIDO
- 6 ounces Mexican chorizo
- 1 small white onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic chopped
- 1 large poblano pepper roasted and diced (roasting instructions below)
- 10 ounces Mexican cheese blend – Use any melty cheeses like Asadero Chihuahua, even cheddar or Moterrey Jack work great
- Salt and pepper to taste
FOR SERVING
- Tortilla chips, extra lime
Instructions
- Make a quick salsa for topping by combining tomato, jalapeno, juice from half a lime and salt to taste to a bowl. Mix well and set aside.
- Heat a 10-inch pan (I used a cast iron pan) to medium heat and add chorizo and onion. Cook about 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Add garlic and chopped roasted poblano peppers. Cook another minute.
- Stir in the cheese a bit at a time until melted. It will melt fairly quickly.
- Remove from heat and top quickly with salsa and a few squeezes from the remaining half a lime.
- Serve!
How to Roast Poblano Peppers
- Set oven to broil. Lightly oil the poblano peppers and broil them about 10 minutes, then flip and broil another 10 minutes, or until the skins blacken and bubble up. Alternatively, you can roast them directly over an open flame, rotating often, until the skins char and flake.
- Remove from heat and cover with paper towels to let the skins loosen. Peel the skins and discard them.
- Slice the poblano peppers open down the middle and scoop out the insides. Chop and use as needed.
Video
Nutrition Information
Kevin says
Easy and delicious. A big hit with the folks at a small gathering. We had a diverse group, some could not have handled a hot spice but this one, they ate like starving coyotes.
Bring to any gathering with some avocado to put on top and lots of chips.
Oh, it was great in a burrito for breakfast today.
Mike Hultquist says
Awesome to hear, Kevin! Nice! Glad it was enjoyed!
Robert says
Can you put this in a small crockpot to keep warm after you make it?
Mike H. says
Yes, absolutely! =)
Maria says
Hi, I was wondering what you can substitute for the chorizo to make it vegetarian?
Mike Hultquist says
Maria, skip the chorizo altogether and it's great, though you can use veg, like corn or others.
Jérémie says
So good! mexican chorizo, fresh salsa, tons of cheese? A Killer!! Thanks a lot Mike!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Jérémie. I know, sooooo good, right? Tasty!
Tom says
Made this yesterday...YUMMO!!!!!!
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Oh, yeah!! Thanks, Tom! I agree, YUMMO!
col says
after all this time i didn't notice you have a youtube channel. you have a new subscribey person.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Col! I hope you like the channel and videos.
Edward U. says
Brought this to a bash and it was the hit of the night! Who doesn't like cheese? Sending more people your way. Queso Fundido is the best.
Michael Hultquist - Chili Pepper Madness says
Thanks, Edward!