How To Cook Chorizo

Preparing chorizo can make for tasty dinners that offer a unique spice. If you're new to this sausage, you may be wondering the best way to cook it. Not to worry –– we'll walk you through cooking this popular Spanish meat so you can use it in mouth-watering recipes. It’s delicious in soups, stews, and even more particular dishes like a spiced-up version of huevos rancheros.

Stick around, and we'll show you how you can make meal preparation easy. Let's jump into talking about chorizo and how to make it!

What Is Chorizo?

Are you someone who enjoys flavorful, spicy meats like salami and pork sausage? If you answered yes, then chorizo is the meat for you. Chorizo is a cured sausage that includes pork fat, pimento, and chopped pork.

One of the main elements that make chorizo distinct is the pimento, a Spanish red spice from paprika. But pimento isn't the only spice used for chorizo. Many people also add thyme, oregano, and garlic to give this sausage a robust flavor. 

Where Does Chorizo Come From?

Knowing the origins of any food can help you appreciate its flavor and associated culture. This food is famous in Spanish and Mexican cuisine, and different regions have unique varieties of this sausage. 

For instance, one variation of Spanish chorizo known as 'Ristra' is quite spicy and soft. On the other hand, another variation from Spain called 'Sarta' has a dark red color and is cured. 

Mexican chorizo includes fresh pork, and sometimes it can consist of beef and chicken. This variety from Mexico often includes spices native to Latin culture. Within Mexican chorizo, you can select soft chorizo or dry-cured chorizo. The difference is that soft chorizo is not cured as much, so you need to cook it before eating. Dry-cured chorizo is thicker, and it comes ready to eat. 

The fact that chorizo can come in many varieties just goes to show that it's a versatile food you can use in many meals! The sky's the limit for this ingredient. Keep reading, and we'll show you our favorite ways to cook chorizo sausage.

Different Methods for Cooking Chorizo

There's no one magic option when it comes to cooking chorizo sausage. You can try several methods for cooking this food to enjoy it in your tacos, burritos, and Mexican food recipes. Let's check out the most popular ways to prepare this food to enjoy it in your dishes!

Oven-Cooked Chorizo

If you've ever prepared sausage of any kind, you'll know one method for preparation is cooking it in the oven. When you're trying to determine how long to bake your chorizo, consider whether it's sliced into smaller pieces or whole. 

Typically, you'll want to bake chorizo for around fifteen minutes at 350-400 degrees. 

Grilled Chorizo

Perhaps someone in your household loves grilling. If the weather is nice and you want to grill your chorizo meat outdoors, it can give your sausage an excellent smoky flavor. 

Here are a few steps to achieve perfectly-grilled chorizo:

1. Preheat your grill before you begin. 
2. Align your chorizo on the grill to be evenly spaced from one another.
3. Keep the lid down so that the chorizo heats evenly.
4. Expect to grill your chorizo links for around twenty minutes.
5. Remove your chorizo sausage from the grill and let the links rest on a cutting board.
6. Serve your tasty grilled chorizo links and enjoy.

Broiled Chorizo

Broiling your chorizo is another fantastic way to enjoy its flavors. Let's walk through the broiling steps so that you know exactly what to do.

1. Preheat your oven by turning on its broil setting. 
2. Space your sausages evenly on your oven's broiler rack. Make sure they're around eight inches lower than the fire or heat.
3. Let your chorizo broil for 12-15 minutes, then flip them. Your total cook time will be around 25-30 minutes. 

Broiling tip: When you're broiling chorizo, you'll want to cook your meat until it's 160º, so it's safe to eat. To achieve this temperature, watch your links until they are golden brown. You can also use a meat thermometer to ensure your meat is perfect for eating.

Red Wine Chorizo

Want to try something fancy for dinner? Braised chorizo in red wine is another cooking option for this spicy sausage. When you braise the meat in red wine, you'll have an elevated flavor experience. 

When you're braising chorizo slices, you won't have to wait for an hour for it to finish. You can anticipate the process taking around twenty minutes. Then, enjoy your wine-infused sausages with a spicy kick!

Pan-Fried Chorizo

If you're cooking cured chorizo links, you don't have to cook them in the oven. You can reheat this type of chorizo by pan-frying it!

We suggest slicing the chorizo and frying the rounds on medium-high heat until they begin to brown. Leave it on for longer if you want crunchy, crispy chorizo.