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Chorizo is a coarse-textured, flavorful, spicy sausage usually made from pork, but other meats are used too. It is widely popular in Mexico and Spain but enjoyed all over the world. The ingredients differ depending on the area. In Mexican chorizo, the pork is raw and seasoned with vinegar, paprika powder, and chili.
Mexicans also make chorizo from chicken, beef, and turkey. The smoked Spanish version includes garlic and spices. When cooking, Spanish chorizo gives off a red color from the smoked paprika used, giving it a smoky flavor. However, there is even a green variety that uses cilantro and green chilies…green sausages, anyone?!
How do I know if you must cook it?
Chorizo is not safe to eat raw in some instances. However, it can be purchased either as a soft sausage that needs to be cooked or as a smoked, cured sausage that does not require cooking. This version is similar in texture to salami that you can sometimes purchase in thin, ready-to-eat slices.
Make sure that you use the correct type of chorizo for your recipe. For example, do not substitute Spanish for Mexican chorizo because they have very different tastes, which could ruin your dish.
In short, you will know if it must be cooked by its texture. If it is soft and moist similar to traditional pork sausages, it needs cooking. On the other hand, if it is firm, dryish, and holds together well like salami, it does not require cooking.
How Do I Cook It?
Cook your sausage in a frying pan. You can leave it whole, but it is often crumbled into small pieces and then fried. When chorizo is cooking, it gives off a delicious red oil. This is why you do not need to add any other oil to the pan when cooking it. However, you can add a little water to the pan to prevent it from sticking at the start of the cooking process.
Many types of chorizo have tough skin, which is best removed before cooking by simply peeling it off. Keep turning the sausage as it cooks so that it does not burn or stick. Drain away the oil when you’re done, or use it to fry onions, so it’s not wasted.
How to serve and eat chorizo
Chorizo isn’t the healthiest protein option out there, but it is certainly delicious! Because of this and its strong flavor, it is best served in small quantities. Use it as a topping or addition for breakfast fry-ups or as a filling for an omelet. Combine it with potatoes for a hearty meal.
Chorizo makes a wonderful pizza topping – the Mexicans love it like this! Use it to make a yummy winter-warming soup. Start by frying the sausage pieces in your soup pot, adding some stock, vegetables, and potatoes.
Use bits of leftover chorizo to spice up your favorite pasta sauce. This works well with tomato-based sauces or creamy ones, and a little goes a long way. Add the bits of sausage towards the end of the cooking time. Have fun experimenting; you can substitute chorizo with bacon in most dishes.
Remember the two types, and you won’t go wrong:
- Mexican chorizo
As mentioned before, this type is spicy in flavor. The texture of this chorizo is soft and mushy. It is usually cooked with the casing off. The average cooking time is four to five minutes. Chorizo is perfect when used as a breakfast dish with tacos and smashed eggs.
- Spanish chorizo
This firmer version of chorizo is semi-cured, which means you can eat it without cooking. You can remove the casing before eating this one too. It’s excellent with tapas.
5 Ways to Know When Chorizo Is Done
Eating raw chorizo can potentially cause stomach upsets and even parasites. You can avoid these effects by keeping the following tips in mind:
1. Use a meat thermometer
The most accurate way to assess if meat is cooked correctly is by using a meat thermometer. The ideal temperature you should be looking for is 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Time
The average cooking time for pieces of chorizo sausages is 4-5 minutes. However, keep on frying them until they become set and release oil. You will need longer if you are frying whole sausages. Cooking until well caramelized on the outside also adds to the rich flavor.
3. Texture
When protein is cooked, it changes in texture. The texture of cooked chorizo is firm. If it is soft and sticky, keep on frying it.
4. Color
Mexican chorizo is bright red, and it is sometimes hard to know when it is cooked enough. To be sure, cook chorizo till it’s brown or dull red. Do not leave it a pink color as it will still be undercooked.
5. Experience
Never underestimate the value of experience. If you are a newbie to cooking chorizo, you might not be feeling confident enough yet but give it time. However, you can use accurate ways of checking temperature, timing the cooking, aiming for a solid texture, and the brown color until you gain more experience.
How long can I safely store chorizo?
You can freeze any chorizo safely for up to ten months. Cured chorizo will keep for about two weeks in the fridge.
To Conclude
We hope you have learned many things about chorizo sausage from this short post. It is a delicious, versatile specialty sausage, so do give it a try!