You can make this restaurant-style Tequila Queso Fundido at home for a decadent and indulgent cheese dip with a hint of tequila. This queso dip pairs perfectly with fresh tortilla chips and a margarita!
You guys know by now that Mexican food is one of my favorite food categories to make and eat. This Tequila Queso Fundido is high on the list of things that I love to eat and now you can make this restaurant-style cheese dip at home too!
This recipe is small-batch meant for 3-4 people but it can easily be doubled for a larger party.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- What is Tequila Queso Fundido?
- How to Make Tequila Cheese Dip
- How to Make Homemade Fried Tortilla Chips
- How To Make Baked Tortilla Chips In The Oven
- Tips for Keeping Your Queso Dip Warm
- How to Make Homemade Chili Powder
- Recipe FAQs
- Tequila Queso Fundido
- Did You Make This Queso Fundido with Tequila?
Why You'll Love This Recipe
You are going to love this recipe because it's full of flavor, fun to eat, and so easy to make. You will also love all of the compliments you'll get for making this creamy, cheesy dip
Who doesn't love melted cheese? And this recipe brings together classic Mexican flavors in one indulgent dip!
What is Tequila Queso Fundido?
Queso fundido translates to molten or melted cheese and is one of the best appetizers you can order or make! Queso fundido is similar to fondue and is often served with chorizo. My version of queso fundido was inspired by a recipe I found in Real Simple magazine years ago.
How to Make Tequila Cheese Dip
Cut the garlic in half and rub it along the inside of the saucepan and serving dish. Discard any leftover garlic.
Grate the cheese and add it to a medium mixing bowl. Add the cornstarch, chile powder, and cumin, stir to coat the cheese, and set it aside.
Pour the tequila into the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer. Add the cheese mixture, a little at a time, and stir continuously while the cheese melts.
Continue adding more cheese and stirring while the mixture comes together and becomes nice and smooth. Stir in the salt and pepper.
Quickly transfer the queso to the serving bowl, garnish, and enjoy immediately. If the cheese becomes too thick and cool, you can reheat it in the microwave (in a microwave-safe bowl) at 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
How to Make Homemade Fried Tortilla Chips
I firmly believe homemade tortilla chips are one of the best things on earth. Fresh corn tortillas hot out of the oil sprinkled with salt and a little chile powder are hard to resist.
Cut round tortillas into quarters and fill a deep pan or cast iron pan with oil (vegetable or canola) about 1" high over medium-high heat. Heat the oil for a few minutes.
You can test the oil with a small piece of corn tortilla. When the piece bubbles, the oil is ready to go. Add about 8-10 sliced tortillas to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Flip and cook on the other side.
Once the tortillas are light brown they are ready to be pulled out of the oil. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle them with salt and chile powder if desired.
How To Make Baked Tortilla Chips In The Oven
Cut round tortillas into quarters and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Place the corn tortilla slices on the rack of your oven (you can also place a cooling rack down first so the chips don’t fall through).
Bake for 4 minutes, flip the chips, and bake for another 3-4 minutes. Salt the chips if desired as soon as they come out. You can also spray with a little oil or water before sprinkling on the salt so that it sticks.
Tips for Keeping Your Queso Dip Warm
Since Queso Fundido is similar to fondue, it's best when served in a warm dish or even a fondue pot. I served mine in a cast iron dish that was preheated in the oven. You can also make and serve the cheese right in a cast iron pan.
If you don't have either option available and your cheese starts to harden, place it in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's nice and smooth again. Please do not put cast iron in the microwave 😬, use a microwave-safe bowl.
How to Make Homemade Chili Powder
You can make your own chili powder using dried peppers for additional flavor. This is optional but highly recommended for extra flavor. Take dried chili peppers and grind them in a nut/coffee grinder until they are in powder form. This chili powder also makes a delicious garnish to sprinkle on top.
Recipe FAQs
Monterey Jack cheese melts well and is mild enough for the other flavors in this dip to come through. However, you can experiment with pepper jack cheese for an extra kick, or more traditional Mexican cheeses like Chihuahua or Oaxaca that wills till result in a good melty texture.
Use a good quality blanco or reposado tequila for the best flavor. Avoid using overly aged tequilas that might overpower the dish.
While tequila is the classic choice, you can experiment with mezcal or beer for a different twist on the recipe.
If you want this cheesy dip to be spicy, consider adding some finely diced jalapeños or habaneros. For less heat but more chile flavor, add poblanos or a milder pepper.
Pre-shredded cheese usually contains additives that might affect the texture of this dish. Shred cheese from the block for the best results.
Tequila Queso Fundido
Equipment
- 1 serving dish or fondue pot
Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 cups Monterey jack cheese, grated (½ pound)
- ½ tablespoon cornstarch
- ½ teaspoon chile powder (homemade or store-bought, see notes)
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ cup tequila, I used a silver tequila
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- fresh cilantro for garnish (optional)
- tortilla chips for dipping (homemade or store-bought, see notes)
Instructions
- Cut the garlic in half and rub it along the inside of the saucepan and serving dish. Discard any leftover garlic.
- Grate the cheese and add it to a medium mixing bowl. Add the cornstarch, chile powder, and cumin and stir to coat the cheese. Set aside.
- Pour the tequila into the saucepan over medium heat and bring it to a simmer.
- Add the cheese mixture, a little at a time, and stir continuously while the cheese melts. Continue adding more cheese and stirring while the mixture comes together and becomes nice and smooth. Stir in the salt and pepper.
- Quickly transfer the queso to the serving bowl, garnish and enjoy immediately. If the cheese becomes too thick and cool, you can reheat it in the microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
Notes
How to Make Homemade Chili Powder
You can make your own chili powder using dried peppers for additional flavor. This is optional but highly recommended for extra flavor. Take dried chili peppers and grind them in a nut/coffee grinder until they are in powder form. This chili powder also makes a delicious garnish to sprinkle on top.How to Make Homemade Fried Tortilla Chips
Cut round tortillas into quarters and fill a deep pan or cast iron pan with oil (vegetable or canola) about 1" high over medium-high heat. Heat the oil for a few minutes. You can test the oil with a small piece of corn tortilla. When the piece bubbles, the oil is ready to go. Add about 8-10 sliced tortillas to the pan and cook for 1 minute. Flip and cook on the other side. Once the tortillas are light brown they are ready to be pulled out of the oil. Place them on a paper towel-lined plate and immediately sprinkle with salt and chile powder if desired.Make Baked Tortilla Chips in the Oven
Cut round tortillas into quarters and preheat the oven to 375ºF. Place the corn tortilla slices on the rack of your oven (you can also place a cooling rack down first so the chips don’t fall through). Bake for 4 minutes, flip the chips and bake for another 3-4 minutes. Salt the chips if desired as soon as they come out. You can also spray with a little oil or water before sprinkling on the salt so that it sticks.Tips for Keeping your Queso Warm
Since Queso Fundido is similar to fondue, it's best when served in a warm dish or in a fondue pot. I served mine in a cast iron dish that had been preheated or a regular fondue pot would work as well! If you don't have either option available and your cheese starts to harden, place it in the microwave at 30-second intervals until it's nice and smooth again. Please do not put cast iron in the microwave 😬, use a microwave-safe bowl. This recipe is small-batch meant for 3-4 people but it can easily be doubled for a larger party.Nutrition
Any nutrition calculations are only estimates using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Did You Make This Queso Fundido with Tequila?
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Kristina says
Delicious over nachos.
Lilly says
This looks delish! Can't wait to try it!
Emily says
Thanks, Lilly!
Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says
I love proper queso and haven't made one in ages! I need to change that!
Emily says
Yes, you do!😊