Melted Cheese with Chorizo: Creamy Mexican Queso Fundido Recipe

Take a trip to cheese town with this irresistible Queso Fundido con Chorizo. This spicy, savory skillet dip combines melty cheese and flavorful chorizo for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Adding beer to recipes isn’t just a gimmick — it contributes real depth and a subtle complexity that works beautifully in dishes like queso fundido. One bite and you’ll understand why this version is a keeper.

I first tasted this dip during a Le Cordon Bleu weekend in Las Vegas. The chef joked around while calling it “fun-dee-dee-oh,” but the dip itself was serious — smokey, spicy, and wonderfully aromatic. I’ve been eager to recreate it ever since, and this recipe is my favorite take on that memory.

What is queso fundido con chorizo?

Queso fundido con chorizo literally means “melted cheese with chorizo.” It’s a skillet dip featuring spicy Mexican pork sausage, served bubbling hot and scooped up with tortillas or chips. Unlike microwave or slow-cooker queso, fundido is prepared and finished in a skillet, often under a broiler so the top gets lightly browned.

What is fundido cheese?

Queso fundido is the Mexican cousin of Tex‑Mex queso. Typically cooked in a skillet, it often includes grilled peppers or other ingredients folded in, giving it more texture and a deeper flavor than a plain cheese dip.

Ingredients for queso fundido with chorizo

• 1/2 pound pork chorizo (removed from casings if needed)
• 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 ounces lager-style beer (Mexican lager recommended)
• 5 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
• 8 ounces shredded mozzarella
• Tortilla chips, for serving

This recipe is simple and relies on good ingredients: take care to use quality chorizo and a clean, crisp lager such as Negra Modelo or another Mexican lager. If you prefer more heat, add a chopped jalapeño when cooking the onion and garlic, though many find the chorizo provides enough spice on its own.

How to make queso fundido con chorizo

1. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium‑high. Add the chorizo and break it up as it cooks. Cook until the meat is cooked through and starting to crisp, about 10 minutes. Transfer the chorizo to a bowl and leave any rendered fat in the skillet.
2. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. If the pan is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of neutral oil. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft and the garlic is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
3. Preheat your oven broiler on HIGH.
4. Pour the beer into the skillet with the onions and garlic, stir to combine, and reduce heat to medium. Cook until the beer has mostly evaporated, 5–10 minutes; the beer’s flavor will remain while the alcohol cooks off.
5. Return the chorizo to the skillet and add the crumbled queso fresco and shredded mozzarella. Stir to combine.
6. Place the skillet under the broiler for 2–3 minutes, until the cheese is bubbling and lightly browned on top.
7. Carefully remove the skillet from the oven and serve immediately with tortilla chips. Garnish with chopped parsley, cilantro, or green onion if desired.

This dip is perfect for tailgates and backyard gatherings. You can make it on a grill using a cast-iron skillet: move the skillet to indirect heat to reduce the beer, then cover the grill to melt the cheese. The top won’t get the same broiler crisp, but the flavor will be just as delicious.

How do you eat queso fundido?

Serve queso fundido straight from the skillet while it’s hot and bubbly. Transfer to a serving bowl only when safety or convenience calls for it (for example, if there are small children around). Tortilla chips are classic for dipping, but spooning the mixture onto warm flour tortillas also makes for a great bite.

If you enjoy cooking with beer, this recipe fits right in. It pairs well with other beer-forward dishes and makes a fantastic party starter.

Try some other Mexican favorites:

• Slow Cooker Pork Tinga
• Easy Seasoned Chicken Tacos
• The Best Margarita Recipe
• Cuervo & Tecate Slow Cooker Carnitas
• Bacon & Caramelized Onion Queso Fundido