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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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