Spicy Chorizo Queso Dip Recipe

Fiery Chorizo Queso Dip Recipe: A Zesty Party Pleaser

Melted cheese and zesty chorizo unite in a spicy chorizo queso dip that promises pure comfort and flavor.

This crowd-pleasing appetizer delivers bold Tex-Mex excitement straight to your table.

Creamy cheese blends seamlessly with crispy, spicy chorizo sausage for an irresistible combination.

Each bite bursts with rich, tangy notes that dance across your palate.

The dip comes together quickly, making it perfect for game days, parties, or spontaneous snacking moments.

Warm tortilla chips become the ideal vehicle for scooping up this molten, flavor-packed delight.

Prepare to be the hero of any gathering with this showstopping dip that will have everyone asking for the recipe.

How to Prepare Chorizo Queso Dip

  • Brown Chorizo Sausage

Heat a large skillet and cook chorizo, crumbling it until crispy and golden brown, about 5 minutes.

  • Saute Aromatics

Remove chorizo with a slotted spoon, leaving some grease. Sauté onions and jalapeños until tender and translucent.

  • Build Flavor Base

Add garlic, cumin, and smoked paprika, stirring quickly to release their aromatic oils.

  • Create Roux

Sprinkle flour into the pan and cook for one minute to develop a light golden color.

  • Pour and Simmer

Gradually whisk in milk, ensuring a smooth consistency. Add Rotel tomatoes and bring to a gentle simmer.

  • Melt Cheese

Reduce heat and incorporate shredded cheese and cream cheese, stirring until completely smooth and creamy.

  • Adjust Consistency

If needed, thin the dip with a splash of milk or cream to reach desired texture.

  • Finish and Serve

Fold cooked chorizo back into the queso. Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with fresh cilantro, extra jalapeños, and diced tomatoes.

Cooking Tips for Chorizo Queso Dip

  • Cheese Melting Magic: Use room temperature cheeses for smoother, faster melting without clumping or separating.
  • Make-Ahead Meal Prep: Prepare chorizo and cheese base up to 2 days ahead, storing separately in refrigerator and reheating gently when ready to serve.
  • Dietary Swaps: Replace regular cheese with plant-based alternatives for vegan version; use turkey chorizo for lower-fat option; substitute almond milk for dairy-free adaptation.
  • Spice Level Control: Reduce jalapeno seeds and membrane for milder version; add extra red pepper flakes or hot sauce for more intense heat; mix in different pepper varieties like poblano or anaheim for unique flavor profiles.
  • Serving Suggestions: Keep dip warm in slow cooker during parties; serve with tortilla chips, crispy bread, fresh vegetable sticks, or as a topping for nachos and baked potatoes; garnish with extra crispy chorizo bits for added texture.

Serving Chorizo Queso Dip

  • Game Night Glory: Serve this bubbling dip with crispy tortilla chips or warm, soft pretzels for the ultimate crowd-pleasing appetizer that will have everyone diving in.
  • Taco Tuesday Twist: Transform your regular taco spread by adding this creamy chorizo queso as a luxurious topping for tacos, nachos, or burritos, elevating your meal's flavor profile.
  • Tailgate Champion: Keep this dip hot in a mini crockpot during sports events or backyard gatherings, ensuring guests can scoop up the cheesy goodness throughout the party with fresh corn chips or sliced baguette.
  • Unexpected Brunch Star: Surprise weekend brunch guests by serving this queso alongside scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, or as a decadent dipping sauce for breakfast quesadillas.

Storing Chorizo Queso Dip

  • Dip Preservation Tactics: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
  • Reheating Magic: Gently warm the dip in a microwave or on stovetop, adding a splash of milk to restore creamy consistency and prevent separation.
  • Freezer-Friendly Strategy: Portion the dip into freezer-safe containers, lasting up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating carefully.
  • Temperature Control Tip: Keep the dip warm during gatherings using a mini slow cooker or chafing dish, maintaining its delectable texture and preventing rapid cooling.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

Calories: 350 kcal

Servings: 8

Ingredients for Chorizo Queso Dip

For Protein:
  • Chorizo: Adds smoky, spicy flavor and crispy texture with authentic Mexican sausage.
  • Cream Cheese: Delivers rich, velvety smoothness and helps bind the dip together.
For Vegetables and Aromatics:
  • Onion: Provides sweet, savory base flavor with subtle depth.
  • Jalapeno: Brings fresh, zesty heat and vibrant green color.
  • Garlic: Enhances overall savoriness with punchy, earthy notes.
  • Cilantro: Offers bright, fresh garnish with herbal undertones.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Adds juicy, fresh element with tangy brightness.
For Dairy and Thickeners:
  • Shredded Cheese: Melts into creamy, stretchy texture with sharp flavor.
  • Milk: Creates smooth, silky consistency and helps blend ingredients.
  • Flour: Works as natural thickener for perfect dip texture.
For Spices and Seasonings:
  • Cumin: Delivers warm, earthy undertones typical in Mexican cuisine.
  • Smoked Paprika: Contributes deep, smoky complexity and rich color.
  • Rotel Tomatoes: Introduces tangy, zesty liquid with subtle chile kick.

Tools Needed for Chorizo Queso Dip

  • Large Skillet: Essential for browning chorizo and cooking the base of the dip.
  • Slotted Spoon: Perfect for removing crispy chorizo from the pan while leaving grease behind.
  • Whisk: Crucial for smoothly incorporating milk and preventing lumps in the sauce.
  • Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions, jalapenos, and garnishes.
  • Sharp Knife: Important for precise vegetable and garnish preparation.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
  • Serving Dish or Mini Crockpot: Ideal for presenting and keeping the dip warm.
  • Measuring Cups and Spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.
Print
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Spicy Chorizo Queso Dip Recipe

Spicy Chorizo Queso Dip Recipe


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4.7 from 16 reviews

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 9 1x

Description

Savory chorizo queso dip brings Mexican street food magic to home gatherings. Melted cheese and spicy sausage create a quick, irresistible appetizer that guests will devour with tortilla chips.


Ingredients

Scale
  • ½ lb (0.23 kg) Mexican chorizo, casings removed
  • 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mix)
  • ½ cup cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup whole milk (or half-and-half)
  • 1 can (10 oz/283 g) Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
  • ½ onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • ½ tsp smoked paprika
  • 2 tbsps flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
  • ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
  • 1 tbsp butter or olive oil (if needed for sauteing)
  • Chopped cilantro
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Sliced jalapenos
  • Crumbled queso fresco or extra shredded cheese
  • Tortilla chips
  • Warm flour or corn tortillas
  • Vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers, etc.)

Instructions

  1. Chorizo Preparation: Activate a spacious skillet over medium heat and crumble chorizo, cooking until achieving a deep golden-brown crust with crispy edges, then extract using a slotted spoon while preserving minimal rendered fat.
  2. Aromatic Foundation: Sauté diced onions and sliced jalapenos in chorizo drippings, introducing minced garlic, ground cumin, and smoky paprika. Dust with flour, creating a golden roux that will serve as the dip’s thickening agent.
  3. Liquid Integration: Gradually stream milk into the vegetable mixture, whisking continuously to develop a silky, lump-free base. Incorporate diced Rotel tomatoes and allow the mixture to reach a gentle simmer.
  4. Cheese Transformation: Reduce heat and gradually fold shredded cheese and cream cheese into the mixture, stirring until achieving a luxurious, molten consistency. If the texture appears too dense, delicately thin with additional milk or heavy cream.
  5. Final Assembly: Reintroduce crispy chorizo, distributing evenly throughout the queso. Transfer to a serving vessel or warm crockpot and garnish with fresh cilantro, additional jalapeno slices, and vibrant diced tomatoes for an eye-catching presentation.

Notes

  • Choose the Right Chorizo: Select high-quality Spanish or Mexican chorizo for authentic flavor, ensuring it’s finely crumbled for even distribution in the dip.
  • Control Spice Level: Adjust jalapeno quantity and remove seeds to manage heat intensity, catering to different spice tolerances without compromising the dish’s core flavor profile.
  • Cheese Melting Technique: Add cheese gradually on low heat, stirring constantly to prevent separation and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency without graininess.
  • Make-Ahead and Storage: Prepare the dip in advance, storing in an airtight container and gently reheating with a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture when serving later.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Mexican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 9
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 2 g
  • Sodium: 600 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 8 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 15 g
  • Cholesterol: 60 mg
Jenna Hartley

Jenna Hartley

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

  • Recipe development with a focus on single-dish meals.
  • Fusion of traditional and modern Australian cuisines.
  • Food styling and photography for digital platforms.​

Education

Box Hill Institute, Melbourne

  • Degree: Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management
  • Focus: Specialized in practical food and beverage service, responsible alcohol and hygiene compliance, legal risk management, and hands‑on experience in a simulated restaurant environment.

William Angliss Institute, Melbourne

  • Program: Certificate IV in Patisserie
  • Focus: Specialized in pastry and bakery techniques, cookery and specialty food preparation, recipe planning and costing, commercial kitchen operations, sustainable and inclusive work practices, food safety and hygiene compliance, and workplace health and safety.

Jenna is the heart of Picture Perfect Meals, turning simple ingredients into beautiful, easy‑to‑make dishes. 

Growing up around family meals in Melbourne, she trained at Box Hill Institute and then perfected her pastry skills at William Angliss Institute. She loves mixing classic Australian flavors with fresh ideas to keep cooking fun and stress‑free.

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