Chorizo

chorizo / chouriço

Flavor and role

A pork sausage seasoned with paprika and garlic. Spanish chorizo is cured and smoked and can be sliced and eaten as is; Mexican chorizo is raw and fried before use. It releases red oil when cooked.

Typical dishes and uses

Paella (some variations), feijoada, gambas variations, chorizo tacos, Spanish lentil stew

Substitutes

100g chorizo = 100g smoked sausage + ½ tsp smoked paprika + a little garlic.

Storage

Cured chorizo: unopened 1–2 months in a cool place or the fridge, opened 2–3 weeks in the fridge. Fresh chorizo: 2–3 days in the fridge, 3 months frozen.

Main countries

Spain · Mexico · Portugal

Used in this book

Bandeja PaisaCaldo verdeChoripánLocroGandules Sofrito Risotto with Chorizo and Parmesan (Puerto Rican × Italian)Bandeja Paisa de Lujo with Carne en Polvo and Meaty ChicharrónBandeja Paisa Burrito with Hogao Salsa (Colombian × Mexican)Bandeja Paisa Loaded Fries with Avocado CremaChorizo Gravy with Jalapeño Cheddar BiscuitsCaldo Verde with Crispy Chouriço and Garlic OilCaldo Verde Smashed Potatoes with Garlic AioliChorizo and Crispy Potato Breakfast Burrito with Charred JalapeñoChipotle-Lime Chorizo Cabbage Boil with Cotija (Mexican × Cajun)Chorizo Chili Walking NachosChorizo and Smoked Paprika Chicken Cassoulet (French × Spanish)Parrilla Choripán with Salsa CriollaGochujang Chimichurri Choripán with Buttered Kimchi (Argentine × Korean)Chorizo Smash Tacos with ChimichurriChorizo and White Bean Coddle (Irish × Spanish)Feijoada Completa with Garlic Kale and FarofaChipotle Feijoada ChiliChorizo and Smoked Paprika Jansson (Swedish × Spanish)Chorizo and Prawn Jollof PaellaPilau Masala Chicken and Chorizo Paella (Kenyan x Spanish)Chorizo-Jalapeño Khachapuri (Georgian x Mexican)Locro Patrio with Osso Buco and Smoked BaconLocro Pot Pies with a Puff-Pastry LidChorizo and Jalapeño Queso MacCrispy Chorizo Paella BitesPapas Bravas a la Huancaína with Chorizo Crumble (Peruvian × Spanish)Chorizo-Chipotle Pasta e Fagioli with Black Beans (Italian × Mexican)Spanish Chorizo and Chicken PlovChorizo Tinga Poblana with Avocado CremaBaked Mini Tortilla Bites with Brava and Alioli DipsChorizo & Prawn Yangzhou Fried Rice, Spanish Style

Updated 2026-10-10