If you are a cheese lover like us, then this recipe is an absolute knockout. We’re gearing up for the big game day weekend and nothing screams super bowl snack like queso fundido. This cheesy appetizer is guaranteed to be a winner no matter which side you’re rooting for.

What is queso fundido

Queso fundido directly translates from Spanish to “melted cheese” which is already enough to get your mouth watering. This traditional Mexican cheese dip is really just a combination of queso, otherwise known as cheese, and topped with your favourite meat of choice. For our recipe we wanted to keep things traditional and made our queso fundido with chorizo sausage. Chorizo sausage is a Spanish pork meat that renders really well so you get those crispy meat bits and so much flavour! 

How to make queso fundido

The first step in making queso fundido is to cook your chorizo. You’ll want to cook it until it starts to render and you get some burnt bits sticking to the bottom of your skillet. Most Mexican chorizos have enough fat but we also recommend adding a little oil to the pan beforehand. Cooking your meat with the onions helps bring out all the flavours even more. 

Queso fundido is normally made with Mexican cheeses such as asadero, manchego or chihuahua, but these are a little harder to find at your local grocery store. We opted for a more common store bought cheese like cheddar cheese and monterey jack that still gives a strong taste. 

For us, this queso fundido wouldn’t be the same without some heat. We add in our jalapeño hot sauce right into the cheese mixture once it’s been melted down. Our jalapeño hot sauce is made with lightly smoked jalapeño peppers and real Canadian maple syrup that add just the right amount of sweet and smoky flavour. 

How to eat queso fundido

There is no wrong way to eat queso fundido, we serve it in a classic baking dish with a side of tortilla chips. Top your queso fundido with your favourite additions like sliced jalapeños and chili peppers, more chorizo sausage, sour cream and a squeeze of lime juice. 

You could always make a quick side of guacamole and a fresh salsa to pair with your queso to enhance those Mexican flavours. You can also store your cheese dip in the refrigerator and heat it up before serving if you are making it ahead of time.

PREP: 10min | TOTAL TIME: 20min | SERVINGS: 2-4

Ingredients

• 2 cups orange cheddar cheese, grated
• 2 cups monterey jack or jalapeño havarti, grated
• 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup Spanish chorizo sausage, casing removed
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup beer
• 1 bunch cilantro
• 3 tbsp sour cream
• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 cup Smoke Show Jalapeño Hot Sauce

Steps

1. In a large bowl, mix together the grated cheddar cheese, monterey jack and the flour.
2. Heat a pan on medium heat and begin cooking the chorizo until it begins to render. Add in the onion and continue cooking for about 5 minutes until they become translucent. Transfer the chorizo and onions to a bowl and set aside. 
3. In the same pan, add the beer, stirring and scraping up the browned bits for about 2 minutes. Begin to add the cheese mixture in small portions at a time, whisking constantly until everything is well blended and melted.
4. Stir in half of the chorizo mixture and the Smoke Show jalapeño hot sauce.
5. Garnish with the rest of chorizo, sour cream, cilantro, paprika and sliced jalapeño peppers.
6. Serve while hot and melty with a basket of tortilla chips on the side.