The Best Cheeses To Make The Star Of Your Queso Fundido Tacos
Melted cheese, soft tortillas, and a medley of mouth-watering toppings like Mexican chorizo and poblano peppers — queso fundido tacos hit all the flavor notes that make our taste buds sing. For fans of cheesy goodness, it's a must-try. However, there's a secret to taking this dish to the next level, and it all comes down to choosing the right cheese.
And no, we don't mean adding Velveeta or store-bought nacho cheese dip to any old taco recipe. We're talking about making these tasty tacos specifically using queso fundido, which creates a more satisfying, stretchy, and cheesy experience than the more liquidy chile con queso that is favored and savored in Texas. From earthy, buttery Oaxaca cheese to the tangy cheddar-like sharpness of Chihuahua cheese, it's not all that hard to find new ways of incorporating different varieties into the mix to create unique, unforgettable queso fundido tacos that are sure to impress.
Why Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses are the best for queso fundido tacos
When it comes to queso fundido, Oaxaca and Chihuahua cheeses reign supreme, delivering a mild yet inviting flavor profile coupled with an impressively pliant pull. And that's really what you're looking for when making queso fundido tacos: cheese that is not only full of flavor but also rich, creamy, and extra stretchable.
Aside from the stretch factor, these two types of cheeses are prized for their smoothness. Great on their own, they also work well together without overpowering the other ingredients in the dish. Oaxaca cheese has a springy texture similar to low-moisture mozzarella. It also melts easily, making it great for stuffing into tacos or enchiladas. Chihuahua cheese, meanwhile, is comparable to mild cheddar. So, if you can't find the real deal at your local grocery store or Mexican market, at least you have options.
Many recipes also call for queso quesadilla to provide an extra dose of creaminess and flavor. As its name might suggest, this melty marvel often stars in quesadillas thanks to its richness. If queso quesadilla proves hard to find, then Monterey Jack can easily step in and get the job done.
Another favorite is queso asadero, which chef Pati Jinich combines with caramelized onions, diced tomatoes, and a handful of other ingredients to make her queso fundido. She notes that flour tortillas are the most popular accompaniment, but corn tortillas are fine to use, too.
Why not classic queso?
Why can't you just spoon some queso dip onto your tortillas and call it a day? We suppose you could. They would be very cheesy tacos, indeed. However, with queso fundido, you're looking for a denser consistency that comes from using fresh Mexican cheese.
It's important to remember that queso fundido differs from classic queso. Queso is a smooth cheese sauce that is usually poured over dishes or used as a dip for chips, tortillas, and other tasty food items. By contrast, queso fundido is made by melting Chihuahua, Oaxaca, asadero, Mennonite, or manchego cheeses with various complementary toppings. The freshly melted cheese develops a stringy texture that is perfect for spreading over a warm tortilla.
The cheese in queso fundido is also typically served piping hot and straight out of the skillet or cazuela, which keeps it bubbling and gooey for longer. The sizzling presentation, which adds to the visual appeal of this tantalizing dish, isn't something you can achieve with classic queso. In short, Oaxaca and Chihuaua cheeses are perfect because they have the right mix of mild flavor and bubbly stretchiness. Velveeta could never.