Without a doubt, the Spanish are the kings of charcuterie. Enjoy a nice plate of cured meats, cheeses, and olives, and of course, top it off with the finest Spanish wine. You can’t have Spanish tapas without finding some specialty chorizo sausage in the mix.
A deliciously red sausage, there are thousands of varieties of chorizo found across Spain. Every region, chef, and family has their own special way of blending all sorts of spices and preserving the meat.
What is Chorizo?
By definition, sausage is a finely chopped or minced meat that is salted and then put into a casing. Some can be eaten fresh, while others are left to cure and eat later. The first mention of sausage occurred in Homer’s The Odyssey, and by now, many cultures enjoy a type of sausage.
Chorizo is arguably the most famous Spanish sausage out there and the first mentioned in the country. Known for its red hue, the sausage is heavily spiced, often smoked, and full of flavor. People enjoy chorizo in all sorts of dishes. It uses the lean or finer meats of the pig, and the fats make it a very rich food.
Most chorizo sausage is found in a horseshoe shape, but you can find it in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The flavors can vary as well, with most being spicy but some also coming as mild. While most often cured, you can enjoy it immediately by cooking it.
History of the Chorizo Sausage
Preserved meats are a very traditional way of enjoying food. During the year’s cold months, farmers would rely on the preserved meat they made in the fall to last them through until the spring months. The Romans taught the Spanish how to make sausages; eventually, the chorizo was born.
The history of chorizo sausage can be linked to the agricultural calendar and pig slaughter. While most cattle were bred outside the village in the 15th century, most pigs lived there. In October, farmers would spend the month fattening up the pigs. Then, St. Martin’s Day, November 11th, was the traditional day for slaughter.
On this day, families would prepare chorizo for the winter months. Every part of the pig is butchered. The legs would be used for cured ham, the blood for morcilla, and the fats and trimming for sausages. To this day, many rural Spanish regions still follow this tradition.
Accessibility of Chorizo
Paprika, which brings the signature taste and color to chorizo sausage, didn’t make its way to Spain until the 16th century from the Americas. Before that, the sausages were white or black. Since pepper also didn’t arrive until this time period, original chorizos would look and taste very different from the ones we enjoy today. It took many decades for both spices to make their way to Spanish farmers.
While prepared by farmers, the chorizo was often considered a luxury for most families to enjoy, even more so after paprika and black pepper became major components. Cured ham was still more valuable, but the wealthy often enjoyed cured chorizo.
King Charles IV of Spain loved chorizo. The story goes that while the king was hunting, he came across a chorizo maker. After being offered the sausage, he loved it so much that he named the man the official royal chorizo provider. This story is portrayed in the tapestry by Francisco Bayeu called The choricero Jose Rico, Candelario.
It wasn’t until industrialization in the 19th century that chorizo became more readily available to most families as food production ramped up. Since then, it has slowly made its way around the world as one of the most popular cured meats out there.
Making Chorizo Sausage
- The first step in preparing chorizo sausage is to get your cuts of pork. Most meats for chorizo come from the neck to the fifth rib, loin, jowl, or pig belly. Regardless of where you get the cuts, you need a total fat content of 40% to give chorizo its signature rich flavor.
- Once the meat has been minced, it is mixed with spices. To make chorizo sausage, you need the smoked paprika known as pimento. It has a sweet flavor and often very little heat. Other must-have spices include garlic and pepper. This mixture is then left to rest for 24 hours.
- Next, the mixture is placed into a casing. Traditionally, you use a natural casing of the pork gut, such as the small or large intestine. In its casing, it is then tied and poked to allow airflow and hung to dry.
- For curing, people cure most meats with either salt or fire smoke. Traditionally, you smoke chorizo sausage over oak wood and leave it out to dry. This allows the sausage to lose the water retained in the meat. Most rooms need to take temperature and humidity into account. While it can be done outside, the traditional method is in a room with fire and smoke to cure the meat while protecting it from insects.
- After smoking, the meat needs to mature. This allows it to continue drying, acquire its texture, and really let the flavors develop. The maturation process takes approximately 50 days. The meat is stored in a cool, dry place. Then, it should be ready to enjoy!
Varieties of Chorizo Sausage
With so many Spanish regions, families, and now the global community enjoying chorizo, there are endless varieties of this sausage to enjoy. Popular spices to use include garlic, paprika, pepper, cumin, oregano, bay leaf, onion, and thyme. Depending on the types of spices chosen and the amounts, you can have very different-tasting chorizo sausage.
You can find soft or dry, long or thin, and short or fat varieties out there. The standard base of lean pork and lean fat makes them all classified as chorizo. Plus, the signature pimento paprika!
You can find dulce (sweet varieties) which are primarily made with sweet or bittersweet paprika. You can also get the picante (spicy varieties) which are made with spicier paprika. Another popular choice is chorizo blanco – a darker-colored sausage made with black pepper.
Iberian chorizo is a popular type you can find that comes from a special breed of pigs. The black Iberian pig roams freely in the Iberian Peninsula and feasts largely on a diet of acorns. They are a very muscular breed and are considered to be high-quality meat. It’s a very different taste than other pigs!
Beyond Spain, you also have the Mexican chorizo. Unique from the traditional Spanish cured meat with paprika, it comes as fresh ground pork and often incorporates chiles in the seasoning. To prepare it, you squeeze it from its casing and pan-fry it like you would ground beef.
Another similar dish that chorizo sausage can be confused with is the Portuguese chouriço. It’s another smoked and cured sausage with less paprika, more garlic, and red wine.
How to Use Chorizo: 8 Ideas to Try
Because of its high-fat content, chorizo is a popular cooking ingredient. Once warmed, the fats inside the meat render and mix well with other ingredients in the pan. You can often find it in cocido de garbanzos, a chickpea stew, and in many rice dishes in Spain. It also makes for a great addition to pizza and pasta.
Many Spaniards enjoy chorizo as a form of tapas by cutting it with bread, frying it in olive oil, skewered with olive oil and bread, and on its own as a sausage stick.
Nowadays, cooks have gotten quite creative in how to use chorizo. Here are some ways you can enjoy the delightfully red sausage in your cooking.
1. Use the Oil
Once you’ve fried up some chorizo sausage, you are left with a pan full of tasty fats. Don’t let them go to waste! It has tons of flavor that you can use for some of your future cooking. Add it to salad dressings, fry chicken, and make eggs, potatoes…whatever your heart desires.
If the fat is too thick, feel free to add some olive oil to loosen it up and help you preserve it. Another way to enjoy chorizo oil is by using already-fried chorizo and placing it in neutral vegetable oil. Leave it in the fridge overnight to infuse, and your oil will now taste amazing.
2. Chorizo Con Huevos
This is a popular Mexican breakfast dish that uses Mexican-styled chorizo. You’re making scrambled eggs and mixing the fresh, ground chorizo into the pan. You can add all sorts of extra vegetables and toppings, with spicy jalapenos being a favorite for many. Most often, the mixture is served on some warm tortillas. Sounds amazing!
3. Chorizo Pizza
You’ve definitely seen this on the menu at some point! Making your own pizza is simpler than you may think. The next time you make some simple pizza dough and tomato sauce, consider topping it with chorizo to make the pizza that much more deluxe.
For pizza, you can crumble Mexican chorizo over the top or thinly slice Spanish chorizo like you would pepperoni. Choose whatever toppings you like, with caramelized onions being a great complementary flavor.
4. Chorizo Sausage Sandwich
Everywhere you look in Spain, you will find a chorizo sandwich. They are popular with school kids, but adults love them too. To make a sandwich, you will want to fry the chorizo in the pan first. Pair the meat with a Spanish, hard cheese with lots of flavors, such as manchego. Use the remaining oil from the pan to crisp your bread. Add in some arugula and top with some of your go-to sandwich veggies.
5. Chorizo Sausage Crisps
Most often, people pan-fry chorizo sausage, but what about baking it? You can get some fabulous chorizo crisps by baking them. You will want to slice the chorizo as thinly as possible and put them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in the oven and cook for 10 minutes. The chorizo will fry in their own fat to make a crispy treat.
You can snack on them on their own or use them as a garnish for other savory dishes.
6. Chorizo Sausage Broth
Get some of those delicious oils in a broth! Oftentimes, chorizo is added to a tomato sauce. However, you can also add it to lighter sauces too. To make the broth, simmer finely chopped chorizo in your stock of choice (chicken works best). The broth on its own can be used to top pasta or other dishes. You can also use the chorizo-infused broth as the base for more cooking.
7. Chorizo Hash Browns
Another easy recipe is chorizo hash browns. Depending on what you prefer, you can make the dish with Mexican chorizo or a softer Spanish Chorizo chopped into smaller pieces. To make your potatoes, cut then boil your potatoes first. Once cooked, fry them up in olive oil with the chorizo, an onion, fresh parsley, paprika, garlic, and salt and pepper.
Chorizo hash browns pair well with an egg for breakfast or with steak or fish for dinner!
8. Chorizo Pasta
This list wouldn’t be complete without chorizo pasta! Rather than going with ground beef to add to your tomato sauce, think about frying up some Spanish chorizo slices to add some protein and tons of flavor to the dish. Because pasta has such a neutral flavor, it pairs well with chorizo’s strong taste. Most often, people enjoy chorizo with a red sauce.
When selecting other ingredients, keep other fatty or spicy flavors to a minimum. Topping off with a squeeze of lemon helps to cut through both the fat and heat of chorizo sausage.
FAQs
How Do You Know When Chorizo Is Done?
Chorizo is done when it is a deep reddish-brown color and has an internal temperature of 160°F (71°C). The texture should be firm when poked with a fork. Make sure to cook it thoroughly to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses.
Is Chorizo Gluten-Free?
Most traditional chorizo recipes don’t include any gluten-containing ingredients. However, cheaper or mass-produced versions may use fillers or additives containing gluten. To be sure, always check the label or consult with the manufacturer.
Is Chorizo Keto?
It’s keto-friendly because it’s high in fat and protein and low in carbs. Just be careful with store-bought chorizos, as some may contain added carbs in the form of fillers or seasonings.
What Does Chorizo Taste Like?
Chorizo is bold, smoky, and slightly tangy because it is often made with paprika, garlic, and vinegar. The taste can vary – some varieties may be spicier or milder. It depends on the specific recipe or region it comes from.
Can You Freeze Chorizo?
Yes, you can freeze chorizo to extend its shelf-life. Wrap it tightly in plastic or a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn. It will last up to 2-3 months in the freezer. To defrost, simply move it to the refrigerator for a day before using it in your dish.
What Is Chicken Chorizo?
Chicken chorizo is a variation made with ground chicken instead of pork. It has a similar flavor profile to the traditional pork version, but it’s leaner and a good alternative for those watching their fat intake or following dietary restrictions.
Why Is Chorizo So Greasy?
Chorizo is high in fat, which helps keep the sausage moist and juicy during cooking. The fat adds flavor and is an important part of the sausage’s texture. However, if you’re looking to reduce the grease, choose leaner chorizo or drain the excess fat after cooking.
