Many recipes include chorizo in the ingredients, but what exactly is it? What is chorizo made of and how do you use it? Here’s your definitive guide to what it is, how it’s made, and how to use it in delicious Mexican dishes!
What is chorizo?
Chorizo is a highly seasoned pork sausage that is very popular in both Mexican and Spanish cooking. It’s a staple in many of the Mexican dishes that are on Isabel Eats!
While I mainly use Mexican chorizo in my recipes, it’s good to know that chorizo comes in two forms:
- fully cooked or semi-cured: the Spanish version
- raw and fresh: the Mexican version
What is Mexican chorizo made of?
Mexican chorizo is a very fatty and highly seasoned sausage typically made from ground pork. However, it can also be made from ground beef, chicken, venison or turkey. In some stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole foods, I’ve also seen vegetarian and vegan versions made from tofu and/or soy!
(If you can’t find chorizo near you, take a look at my homemade chorizo recipe. It’s super easy to make and just as good as store-bought!)
The most popular type of Mexican chorizo has a distinct red tint due to the spices and seasonings that are used to make it. Typically, the seasoning in chorizo includes some or all of the following:
- Chile peppers – guajillo or ancho chiles are the most common
- Coriander
- Cloves
- Cinnamon
- Garlic
- Cumin
- Paprika
- Vinegar
There is also a green variety. As you may suspect, it contains green tomatillos and cilantro.
What’s the difference between Spanish and Mexican chorizo?
Spanish and Mexican chorizo are two very different things and are not interchangeable in recipes.
Mexican chorizo is fresh and uncooked.
You can find it loose like any other ground meat or in a casing like a regular sausage. However, the casing is not edible and must be removed before cooking.
Mexican chorizo can be cooked on its own or with other ingredients like peppers, onions, rice and more.
Spanish chorizo is dried and cured.
You’ll find it in the grocery store with other meats prepared this way like pepperoni and salami. The casing is edible and you don’t need to cook it to enjoy it. As a result, it can also be added to soups and stews. It’s also very popular on tapas platters.
Spanish chorizo comes in smoked and unsmoked varieties that range from mild to very spicy. It always contains smoked paprika which gives it a distinctive color and flavor.
How to cook with Mexican chorizo
To cook with Mexican chorizo, you must first remove it from the casing. As a result, it will crumble as it cooks and will look a lot like ground beef when fully cooked.
It’s a great alternative to other ground meats and is also delicious when mixed into things like homemade meatballs since it can add a lot of flavor and fat.
While one of the most popular ways to cook with it is to make Chorizo and eggs, there are many other uses as well! Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Tacos – I especially love chorizo in my breakfast tacos
- Mexican Chorizo Chili
- In soups, like white bean, or potato
- Omelettes
- Topping for nachos
- Filling for stuffed peppers or mushrooms
- Burritos, especially made from papas con chorizo
- Pizza topping
Are any nitrites used in Spanish chorizo, or Mexican ?
Hi Paul! I don’t believe so but always double check the food label to be sure.
Do you have a recipe for Soy Chorizo?
Hi Stephanie! Right now we don’t, but there are lots of other great food blogs that may have that exact recipe for you.
I was told chorizo is cows intestines. I’ve always liked it but now I hope I’m wrong. Anyone got the truth?
Good Chorizo is ground pork. Cheap Chorizo has Pork Salivary Glands, Lymph Nodes and Fat (Cheeks), Pork, Paprika, Soy Flour, Vinegar, Salt, Spices, Red Pepper, Garlic, Sodium Nitrite. Buy the good stuff.
I purchased the beef version of the product pictures above cooked it this moning. it did not make crumbles..it’s runny! thats not normal, right?
Hi Katie! Some brands of chorizo give this type of consistency and that’s totally normal. If you prefer a more crumbly/sausage type of consistency we have a recipe for chorizo on the blog!
It’s really hard to find real chorizo 😞 when i live in Mexico,was not fad or Running.plus ibeen if you go to a Mexican store here in USA , they make their own and u will know that they put Ham or whatever they have really sucks that🙄😒
I just tried to pan fry some chorizo. It turned to mush and never looked like anything resembling sausage. What did I do wrong?
Hi Jason! Some brands of chorizo are more runny/mushy than others, so you may not have done anything wrong! It sounds weird, but that’s just the consistency some brands have. We have a recipe for chorizo on our site that has the crumbly/sausage consistency you’re wanting if you wanted to check that out!
what are the ingredients on the label? Can you use plant base meat and get the same results?
Hello! The ingredients vary based on the brand, but in general Chorizo is made out of ground pork and various seasonings. We haven’t tried using plant based meat, but there are lots of other great food blogs that may have the recipe you’re looking for.
Hi there,
I’ve been trying to replicate the chorizo from my local restaurant. When they make theirs, it is always very greasy with a red oily liquid that soaks the tortillas and I love it! I can’t seem to get the same result when I make it though. Do you think this is rendered fat? I’m using pork for my chorizo, maybe they’re using fatty beef? Do you normally cook chorizo hot and fast or low and slow? Thanks!
Hi Ben! I do think that’s what it is! You can try ground pork or beef that has more fat and see how that works! We would suggest cooking on medium-high heat. Let us know how it turns out!
Can chorizo be substituted for kielbasa in a rice dish? Which chorizo should I use?
Hi Jan! I think it can! You can use either pork or beef chorizo, but I personally like to use pork.
I do the filling for your breakfast too but for on the run I do burrito.
I’m in Queensland Australia.. what variety do we have here?
Hi! I’m not sure what’s available in your area but here’s a chorizo recipe that you might like: https://www.isabeleats.com/chorizo-recipe/
I found an unopened tube of Mexican chorizo in my meat drawer. It’s been thawed almost a month. Is it still ok to eat?
I would check the expiration date to make sure it’s safe to consume.
I love chorizo, but those tubes of el mexicano pictured above should be a no go for anyone trying chorizo for the first time (or any time for that matter). It will put you off because it’s not quality product. It’s made with pork salivary glands, lymph nodes, and fat. Pork is the 5th or 6th ingredient. It’s a cheap grab for cash, at only $1.70, it’s clearly a cut corner product. I made the mistake once, but knowing what real chorizo was, luckily I wasn’t fooled.
Yes sir..you got that right! I can do without the salivary glands and some of the other garbage in this ptoduct..I also have a close friend that makes his own premium Choriso and is 10 times better than the brands above. Very very cheap cuts of meat in those pictured above!
Been eating this since I was 12 years old. Mexican chorizo from our local Carneciera here in Los Angeles, or now from another Carneciera here in Conyers Georgia. Tasty stuff!!
George Boy Now I’m from Georgia but lived and grew up mostly in Fort Myers,Florida and lived around Mexicans they thought me alot about Mexican Food Chorizo,Manado,Rice & Beans I ate better when I lived around them.
Even the your kids can cook Chorizo for Breakfast it’s really good kinda like traditional I Quess but I’m not Mexican just a White Boy who knew he was eating good. I miss you and your Family Chuck Periz .