Easy Chorizo Cheese Dip – Girl Carnivore

Nothing tops a creamy scoopable chorizo cheese dip! It’s loaded with spicy chorizo and onions. Makes a party must-have and easy go-to and always gets people coming back asking for the recipe. Their minds are blown when I tell them how easy it really is! 

This is one of those cheese dips that I have been tweaking my whole entire life. Ok, at least since I can remember being old enough to steal some Velveeta and push a chair up to the microwave so I could use it. I would spoon leftover ground beef into a bowl and stir in the melted cheese. For a 5-year-old, it was pretty magic. 

The Perfect Cheese Dip

Now, I make this dip with spicy chorizo and do it over a campfire or in my oven when I have friends over for the game, or sometimes I’m feeling lazy and make this Traeger Smoked Queso with Chorizo, which is almost as good (but there’s no clean up).

This one has a few more steps from that easy first iteration, but it still stands as one of those magical comfort dishes where you will dig down to the very last crumb of a chip to scrape up the last bites. 

Perfect for when you have a bunch of friends over, this recipe makes a full skillet of cheese dip, just like a classic Rotel Sausage Dip. Even on my best day, I lack self-control so dividing it up with my friends takes some of the pressure (or maybe that’s portions) off my plate. 

A short list of what you need for chorizo cheese dip

A few pantry staples and a little extra spice is all you need. Seriously, 6 ingredients! Woot.

This is an upgrade on the classic queso dip. All you need is ground chorizo, onions, and garlic to really level things up. 

A good oven-safe skillet is a huge bonus for this recipe, too – one, for making from cooktop to baking – and two, for serving because it will stay warm while people nibble at the dip. 

Where I really jazz this dish up is in the toppings. A few pops of bright toppings really make this dish look like so much more than just another game day appetizer. Plus, they bring a wonderful crisp crunch to every bite! So yeah, ‘just dip’ totally becomes ‘what’s your secret recipe’ in a matter of seconds with a little impromptu food styling.
Now, if you aren’t into all that, dumping some fresh salsa and a few sprigs of cilantro on top also counts. We all gotta know our comfort zone. 

But how easy is it to make?

No really, that easy.

This is a one-skillet dish with minimal cleanup and a few easy steps. All you have to do is brown the chorizo then set it aside while you caramelize the onions in the leftover pan drippings. That means we cook them low and slow in the drippings until they have gone past soft, stirring occasionally. We are using the chorizo drippings instead of butter to really get that full-on sausage flavor throughout the recipe. 

Once they are done, toss everything back into the same pan and finish off in the oven. The Velveeta works its magic and melts to create the perfect dippable blend.  

Where to find ground chorizo? 

Ground chorizo is something you won’t find at every market, though I have seen a few major brands now starting to incorporate it into their standard lines. It is a regional thing and can be hard to source. 

First place to check is in the refrigerator section where they keep Mexican cheese, crema, and other things. Sometimes, you can find chorizo here. 

Otherwise, check the sausage department. Now, even if you can’t find it ground alone in packaging, you could buy preformed uncooked links and remove the chorizo from the links by slicing the casing off. 

Types Of Chorizo

Chorizo is spiced meat, either beef or pork, and there is even a veggie style chorizo. Spanish chorizo is a bit different than Mexican style chorizo in terms of ingredients, but there are plenty of regional variations between the two as well.

The red color is due to paprika or achiote, or a combination of both. Chili powder gives it the spicy side. A bit of pork fat is used to bind it all together when it is ground.

Most often, you find pork chorizo in supermarkets, but some carnicerias have beef chorizo too.

Can you make this is a slow cooker? 

Heck yes. Chorizo cheese dip is perfect for a slow cooker. Actually, if you know you are going to be hosting with friends coming and going all day, this is great in a slow cooker over low or keep warm, as it keeps the cheese melty all day long. 

Looking for more game day eats? Try some of my favorite recipes

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