Queso flameado

What is Queso flameado?

Queso flameado is a dish where cheese is melted until bubbling and combined with a spicy chorizo sausage sauce. The sauce often includes tomato, onion, chile, and spices. It is usually served in a shallow, heat-proof dish, either ceramic or metal, and brought to the table still sizzling. Sometimes, liquor is poured over the cheese and set alight for a dramatic finish. Diners scoop the hot mixture onto soft tortillas, making each serving rich, savory, and slightly smoky if flambéed.

Where does Queso flameado come from?

This dish is said to have started in the border region between northern Mexico and the southwestern United States, where it was made over campfires. It is especially common in northern Mexican restaurants and has become a native dish in El Paso, Texas. While it is almost unique in Mexican cuisine, it has been widely adapted in the United States, particularly in Tex-Mex cooking.

How is Queso flameado made?

To make queso flameado, cheese and chorizo sauce are cooked separately. The cheese, often Oaxaca or Chihuahua cheese, is melted in a baking dish. The chorizo is cooked with tomato, onion, chile, and spices until it forms a loose sauce. Just before serving, the sauce is spooned over the melted cheese. Sometimes, high-proof liquor is poured on and ignited at the table. If not flambéed, the dish may be quickly broiled. It is served hot, ready to be scooped onto tortillas.

How and when is Queso flameado eaten?

Queso flameado is served as an appetizer or party dish, especially at gatherings and cookouts. It arrives at the table bubbling hot, and diners use small, soft tortillas—corn or wheat—to scoop up portions. The dish is meant to be eaten immediately while the cheese is still stretchy and the sauce is hot. It is a popular choice in restaurants, especially in northern Mexico and Tex-Mex establishments.

Kinds of Queso flameado

Different melting cheeses can be used, such as mozzarella or farmer's cheese, though stringy cheeses are preferred by many. If fresh chorizo is not available, dry chorizo or other sausages may be substituted. Some versions add roasted chiles or sautéed mushrooms. For the flambé, rum, brandy, or tequila are common choices. In some places, like Puerto Vallarta, flour tortillas are served with queso flameado, while corn tortillas are more common elsewhere.

What Queso flameado means

Queso flameado is a festive dish, often enjoyed at parties and restaurants. Its dramatic presentation, especially when flambéed at the table, makes it a favorite for gatherings. In the United States, it is sometimes confused with chili con queso, but queso flameado is distinct for its use of whole melted cheese and chorizo. The dish reflects the shared food culture of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Questions people ask about Queso flameado

Good reading and sources

• Queso flameado on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data