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.
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 Queso Fundido
- 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.
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.
Tools Needed to Make Homemade Queso Dip
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!😊
Natalie says
Yum, now I can't wait to make this. Looks delicious!
Stine Mari says
So 'spicy' with that tequila edition, I absolutely love it!
Emily says
So glad you liked it!
Bernice says
OMG I couldn't stop eating this. SO GOOD!
Emily says
I feel the same way, I always have to make sure I have someone to share with!
Lindsay Howerton-Hastings says
YUM! This was gobbled up in an instant and immediately requested to be made again. Fabulous recipe!
Emily says
That's awesome, Lindsay. Thanks for the review!
amanda says
This queso is sooo good, love the flavor and so easy to make!
Emily says
Thanks for trying it!
Vicky says
What a great appetizer or snack. I would probably serve this with homemade tortilla chips. This would be perfect to serve on Cinco de Mayo.
Emily says
Yes, I totally agree, this would be perfect for Cinco de Mayo!
Audrey says
One of my favorites I can now make at home with your recipe!! YUM
Tayler Ross says
This is the best queso I've ever had! So full of delicious flavor and we will definitely be making it again soon!
Emily says
Thanks, Tayler.😊
Beth says
I mean... booze AND cheese? I can't think of anything better. Going to be adding this one to my Taco Tuesdays.
Emily says
LOL, yes! Taco Tuesdays will never be the same!
Kim says
We are huge queso lovers and this was fantastic! Never thought to add tequila before, it was such a fun and delicious flavor!
Emily says
I'm glad you liked the twist on flavors!
Dana Sandonato says
I don't even want to know the calories I consumed with this one, I swear I could have eaten it with a spoon. SO GOOD.
Emily says
As long as it's in moderation, you're good. This is why I always make sure to make this for a group. 😆
Sunrita says
Perfect afterschool snack for the kiddy’s
Kayla DiMaggio says
This queso was so delicious and easy to make! Perfect appetizer for our family BBQ!
Emily says
Thanks for the review, Kayla! I'm glad it was a hit at your BBQ.