Queso Fundido with Chorizo is a warm, cheesy Mexican appetizer made with melted cheese, savory Mexican chorizo, and roasted poblano peppers. It’s easy to prepare under the broiler and perfect for parties, game days, or casual get-togethers.
I love serving this straight from the skillet with tortilla chips. It’s an easy appetizer that everyone wants to dig into!
If you love Mexican appetizers, also try Chorizo Cheese Dip.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️
- Easy to make. This cheesy appetizer comes together with just a few ingredients and a quick trip under the broiler.
- Full of flavor. Mexican chorizo adds a savory, slightly spicy flavor, while roasted poblano peppers bring a delicious smoky taste.
- Perfect for sharing. Serve it straight from the skillet with tortilla chips for an easy party appetizer.
- Great for leftovers. Have extra chorizo from breakfast? Put it to good use in this melted cheese dip!
-Maggie
👩🏼🍳 Instructions
Roasting Poblano Peppers
- Heat the broiler.
- Place the poblano peppers on a lined sheet pan.
- Put them under the broiler for 7 minutes. Turn and continue cooking for an additional 7 minutes, or until their skins are charred.
- Place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- After 5 minutes, using a spoon or a knife, remove the charred skin.
- Cut off the stems and slice lengthwise, opening the pepper.
- Remove the seeds and veins. Slice lengthwise to create strips.
- Then dice into cubes.
- Set aside until ready to use.
- Cook the chorizo in an oven-safe skillet.
- Remove the cooked chorizo.
- Drain excess fat. (This step is very important, or your dish will turn out greasy).
- Add all the Monterey Jack cheese to the skillet.
- Place under the broiler on high for 3 minutes, check after 2 minutes as broilers vary.
- Top with cooked chorizo and diced poblano pepper.
- Place under the broiler on high for 5 more minutes.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips, bread, or water crackers.
Important! Broilers vary and the cheese should be fully melted and bubbling. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
This is the same type of chorizo that I use to make Chorizo con Huevos or Chorizo con Papas. If you have leftover chorizo from breakfast, it will make this next step easier.
Note: Be sure to really drain the chorizo, or your Queso Fundido with Chorizo will be very greasy.
🙋🏻♀️ Frequently Asked Questions
Queso fundido is a Mexican appetizer made with melted cheese, often combined with chorizo, mushrooms, peppers, or other ingredients. It’s typically served hot with tortillas or tortilla chips.
Queso fundido and queso flameado are similar Mexican melted cheese appetizers, and the names are sometimes used interchangeably. Queso flameado is often associated with a preparation that uses alcohol and is flambéed before serving, while queso fundido is commonly melted in a skillet or baking dish.
Use a good melting cheese, such as Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, Chihuahua, or a Mexican melting cheese blend. These cheeses melt smoothly and create the gooey texture that makes queso fundido so delicious.
Yes! You can leave out the chorizo for a simple melted cheese appetizer or add sautéed mushrooms, roasted poblano peppers, or cooked onions instead.
Cook the chorizo separately and drain off the excess fat before adding it to the cheese. Serve the queso fundido immediately while it’s hot and melted.
You can roast and dice the poblano peppers and cook the chorizo ahead of time. For the best texture, melt the cheese just before serving.
🍴 More Mexican Appetizers
- Frijoles Puercos
- Potato and Cheese Taquitos
- Carne Asada Fries
- Salsa Borracha
- Elote en Vaso
- Hatch Chile Cheese Dip
This Queso Fundido with Chorizo is one of my favorite appetizers for easy entertaining. Serve it hot from the skillet with tortilla chips, and watch everyone gather around for a bite. It’s simple, cheesy, and always a hit!
Queso Fundido with Chorizo
Equipment
- Oven-Safe Skillet (e.g. cast iron skillet)
Ingredients
- ½ 10-ounce package chorizo
- 8 cups shredded cheese Monterey Jack (or Mexican melting cheese blend)
- 1 poblano pepper roasted and diced
Instructions
How to Roast Poblano Peppers
- Place the poblano peppers on a lined sheet pan.
- Put the poblanos under the broiler for 7 minutes.
- Turn and continue cooking for another 7 minutes, or until the skins are charred on all sides.
- Remove from the sheet pan and place them in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap.
- After 5 minutes, using a spoon or a knife, remove the charred skin.
- Cut off the stems and slice lengthwise, opening the pepper.
- Remove the seeds and veins. Slice lengthwise to create strips.
- Then dice into cubes.
- Set aside until ready to use.
To Make the Queso Fundido:
- Cook the chorizo in an oven-safe skillet.
- Remove the cooked chorizo.
- Drain excess fat. (This step is very important, or your dish will turn out greasy).
- Add all the Monterey Jack cheese to the skillet.
- Place under the broiler on high for 3 minutes.
- Important! Broilers vary and the cheese should be fully melted and bubbling. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning.
- Top with cooked chorizo and diced poblano pepper.
- Place under the broiler on high for 5 more minutes.
- Serve immediately with tortilla chips.
In the QandA you mention using Monterrey Jack cheese or Oaxaca. I lived in Mexico City for 2 years in the 70’s and I LOVED having queso fundido. The flavor was VERY unique and I had no idea WHERE that flavor came from. But there, they couldn’t have used Monterrey Jack.
Can you do a little research and find out if it’s possible that some other Mexican cheese(s) are used – other than Oaxaca – by restaurants to achieve that incredible flavor??
It could’ve been Queso Chihuahua which in Durango, we call it Queso Menonita. Unfortunately, you can’t find it in the US. It’s a little sharper and denser than Oaxaca. Or Queso Asadero, you can find it here, but it’s milder in taste. It’s smooth. Hope this helps!
I would also suggest mentioning to garnish with some fresh cilantro (as shown in your picture) as a serving suggestion for follks that like that flavor. Add’s some freshness.
That’s a great idea! Cilantro adds freshness to the queso fundido, as you said. I’ll have to add that in the notes. Thank you!
What kind of cheese do you use for this recipe?
I like Monterey Jack. Mozzarella works too. Use any cheese that melts well.
Yum I love queso but never made it myself! Def inspired to now. Thanks so much for sharing :)!
Queso Fundido with chorizo sounds like a real fun recipe! I can never say no to cheese..all that gooey,melty goodness, who can? The perfect snack for entertaining!
You can never go wrong with a pan full of queso! This has to be one of my favorite snacks ever, and the chorizo too ?! This is heaven.
I don’t need a whole lot of convincing to eat queso, but you absolutely sold me with piling the cheese on! This looks so good, and I love a good spicy chorizo. I’ll definitely have to make this soon
This dip looks fantastic! I bet it’s also great without chorizo for vegetarians like me. I can’t wait to try it for my next dinner party!
This looks delicious! Can’t wait to throw a simple wine gathering to make this as side food. I always go for guacamole but it would be good to try a different dip for my nachos from time to time.
My husband loves queso fundido but we have never made it ourselves. I’m excited to make this classic mexican restaurant appetizer for him at home. He will be so impressed!
Oooh I would devour this whole thing! Looks so good…I could never pass up a cheesy dip!
Drooling over here!! This queso and chorizo dip looks so delicious I can’t even stand it. All that meaty cheesy goodness has me adding to my grocery list. Can’t wait to try it!
I love the idea of a ‘mountain of cheese’ jajaja. Truly amazing what three ingredients can do! Easy recipes for entertaining are alwasy sooo welcomed!
Sometimes I make appetizers only, and they are more than enough for dinner. Can’t wait to try your Queso Fundido and, by the way, – great choice of wine!
Chorizo, poblano, cheese, and wine, all at the same time. Be still my beating heart. I nearly licked the screen. This looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it.
I love queso fundido especially with chorizo! Your dip looks absolutely delicious and easy to make! I can’t wait to try it!
What kind of shredded cheese do you use?
I use Monterey Jack for the Queso Fundido, but you can use whatever melting cheese you like. Mozzarella or Queso Oaxaca would work too.
Thank you for the recipe! We loved it.
You’re welcome!