Whether you’re using it for tacos, sandwiches, or as a way to spice up your bowl of pasta, chorizo is a great option when you want to add a little kick to your meal.
There are plenty of recipes using chorizo on the internet, but we went ahead and chose our top favorites and we’re eager to share them with you. These chorizo dishes are all easy to make and versatile enough to go with any type of meal.
If you’re looking for recipes with chorizo, you’ve come to the right place.
What is chorizo?
Chorizo is a seasoned sausage that is frequently used in both Spanish and Mexican cooking. Each culture has its own version, with noticeable differences between the two.
Spanish Chorizo
- Sausage is dried and cured.
- Like salami or pepperoni, it is a firm sausage that can be sliced.
- Taste can be mild or spicy.
- Typically seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic.
Mexican chorizo
- While it can be made with beef or poultry, it is usually made from pork.
- Like ground beef or ground turkey, it is loose meat.
- Like other sausages, it can come in casings that will need to be removed before eating.
- The meat is uncured and raw and will need to be cooked before eating.
- Typically seasoned with chili peppers and vinegar.
While chorizo is typically a very fatty sausage, it is low in carbs, making it acceptable for any keto or low-carb diet. It is full of flavor and can be used in a variety of ways.
To get you started with this tasty sausage, 16 of the best recipes ideas for chorizo dishes are listed below.
Mexican chorizo recipes
Easy Mexican Chorizo From Scratch
With this recipe, you will be amazed at how easy it is to make your own homemade chorizo!
The best part? You are totally in charge of everything, from the flavoring to the heat level to even the fat content. In just a few simple steps, you can have this flavorful chorizo dish on the table in under 20 minutes.
For an amazing breakfast taco, scramble a few eggs into the mixture, add a bit of cheese and wrap it in a tortilla.
Mexican Chorizo Recipe
Creating the flavors of Mexico at home does not simpler than this.
Simply mix the spices together (most of which you probably already have in your pantry), then mix them in with the ground pork, vinegar, and garlic.
From that point, you can either refrigerate or freeze the chorizo mixture or use it immediately.
If storing for later use, make sure to store in an airtight container or bag. It can be kept in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and the freezer for three months.
Nacho fan? One of the most appetizing ideas for chorizo dishes is to top your nachos with chorizo.
BEST Homemade Mexican Chorizo
This is one of the best recipes with chorizo around. It is easy to make and full of flavor.
The little bit of prep required for this recipe is well worth it, so make sure that you plan ahead and take the time to drain the meat after mixing the spices in.
Once you have done that, this mixture will work for all recipes using chorizo. How will you use it?
Tip: Do yourself a favor and make a double batch of this, so that you can use some immediately and freeze the rest for later use.
Mexican Chorizo Rice
Looking for a dish full of Mexican flavors and meat? Look no further, this chorizo recipe idea is for you.
Long grain rice is kicked up a few notches with spicy seasoning and a pound of chorizo sausage.
This versatile side dish goes great with many Mexican staples, like tacos or burritos, and would be delicious in stuffed peppers.
Tip: To further increase the flavor depth of the rice, cook it in chicken stock.
Chorizo sausage recipes
Shrimp Chorizo Pasta
This is one of those recipes with chorizo that can you make on a busy weeknight when you need to have dinner on the table fast.
All that is required for this easy dish is to make your pasta, fry up some chorizo and shrimp, add a few spices and then mix everything together.
What could be simpler than that? To make this a complete meal, pair this with a green salad. Don’t forget the bread to soak up any of the leftover sauce!
Cheesy Chorizo Pasta
Cheesy chorizo pasta – need I say more? This is one of the best chorizo dishes around and one you will definitely want to add to your menu rotation.
It is hearty and savory and comes together in under 30 minutes. Brown and season the meat, while the pasta is cooking, and then mix them together.
Serve this alongside some veggies or a garden salad for a quick weeknight dinner.
Orecchiette Pasta With Chorizo Sausage and Roasted Butternut Squash
Are you searching for a new way to serve butternut squash? Try serving it in one of these chorizo dishes.
The flavors of the butternut squash and chorizo complement each other surprisingly well in this homemade dish.
That combination paired with the creamy parmesan sauce that perfectly coats the orecchiette pasta, creates a restaurant-quality meal, with very little effort.
Tip: There are vegetarian versions of chorizo available that can be used to make this dish meat-free.
Easy Spanish rice with chorizo
Need a low-calorie meal that you can have on the table in no time? This is one of those chorizo recipe ideas that allows you to do just that.
Chorizo is sliced and cooked alongside rice and then veggies are added to the pan for a few minutes.
Once everything is fully cooked, the sausage, rice, and veggies are mixed together and topped with parsley. The end result is a diet-friendly meal that the whole family will enjoy.
Ground chorizo recipes
Homemade Mexican-Style Chorizo
Did you know you can make your ground chorizo at home that just taste as authentic as anything you would find in a Mexican restaurant? Not only is this one of those chorizo recipes ideas that do just that, but it does so using simple ingredients and very little time.
Tip: If you are not a fan of pork try swapping it out with ground beef or cut the fat and calories and use ground chicken.
Sauteed Potatoes with Chorizo
Sausage and potatoes? How could you go wrong? This is one of those one-pan recipes using chorizo that is easy to make and incredibly versatile.
You can serve it as is or try wrapping it up in a burrito. You can even serve it for breakfast by adding some eggs to the mix of chorizo and potatoes. If you like your food a bit spicier, try adding a few jalapenos.
Tip: If you like crispy potatoes, take the extra time to fry the potatoes up in the leftover chorizo oil, making sure that they develop a nice crunch.
Chorizo Enchiladas
Need a fast meal full of bold flavor? This is one of those recipes with chorizo that will not disappoint. While the star of this dish is the homemade enchilada sauce, in a time crunch you could use a store-bought version.
Both ground beef and chorizo are used, to prevent tortillas from becoming soggy from all the extra grease in chorizo.
The meat is cooked, seasoned, and placed in the fried tortillas. Tortillas are placed in a baking dish and topped with enchilada sauce and cheese and then baked. Pair the enchiladas with either rice or beans for a full meal.
Ultimate Chorizo Meatloaf
Are you bored of regular meatloaf? Kick things up a notch with one of the best recipes using chorizo around.
This dish combines ground beef, chorizo, carrots, corn, and red bell peppers to provide a new twist on an old dish.
The addition of the vegetables provides such a great crunch, that this is sure to become a new family favorite.
Low-calorie chorizo recipes
Shrimp and chorizo tapas
With minimal effort, this is one of those shrimp and chorizo dishes that can be on the table in no time, making it the perfect weeknight meal.
The secret to this easy dish is to sprinkle a bit of baking soda onto the shrimp before cooking.
This allows the shrimp to stay plump while cooking. The freshness of the lemon and shrimp pairs deliciously with the bold flavors of the chorizo.
While this dish can serve as either an appetizer or main course, one of the best serving ideas for it, is to place the mixture on bread and serve it as tapas.
Healthy Mexican Beef Chorizo
Love chorizo but not all the calories that come along with it? This is one of the few chorizo dishes out there that deliver on a true Mexican taste while being healthy and low-calorie.
The secret to this is swapping out high-calorie chorizo with lean ground beef. Not only does this swap, cut back on calories but it also cuts back on the grease commonly found with chorizo.
Don’t worry though, this version still packs a bold punch of flavor. To really enhance the flavor, leave the mixture for a few days in your refrigerator to allow all the spices to come together.
Chorizo Burrito Bowls:
Searching for a low-carb way to enjoy your favorite Mexican dish? With this easy chorizo recipe idea, you can.
This dish brings together all the flavors of burritos in a healthy version that is low in carbs. Regular rice is replaced by cauliflower rice and mixed with chorizo. The mix in then placed in a lettuce bowl and topped with your favorite toppings.
Tip: To further keep the carb count down on this dish, make sure to use sugar-free chorizo.
Low-carb chorizo taco soup
Don’t you just love it when a recipe is easy, delicious, AND diet-friendly? This is one of those recipes using chorizo that does just that!
The surprising ingredients that make this work are heavy whipping cream and cauliflower rice. Together they create a keto-friendly soup that is full of flavor.
Best Chorizo Recipes
Mexican Chorizo Recipe
Chorizo is commonly used in Mexican recipes like queso, tacos, and chili. It can even be used as a side dish with scrambled eggs. Chorizo has a lot of heat and is an easy way to spice up any dish.
To make these chorizo dishes, you have to use the secret ingredient: guajillo powder. In terms of heat, this spice ranks in the mid-way range. It has a tangy taste that pairs well with the other ingredients.
If you don’t want to use guajillo powder, swap it out for a New Mexico chili powder or Pasilla chili powder. Both alternatives have the same level of heat as guajillo powder. If you want new recipes with chorizo to inspire your next meal, this is the recipe to beat.
Chorizo Pizza
You heard us correctly! If you’re looking for unique chorizo recipe ideas, look no further than everyone’s favorite food: pizza.
The secret ingredient is balsamic vinegar, which not only adds a bit of tanginess to the other ingredients, but it pairs beautifully with the arugula that’s regularly used on this type of pizza. Arugula balances out the chorizo for a crisp bite.
If you don’t have arugula, you can swap it out with some baby spinach. The other ingredients like the tomato sauce and balsamic vinegar will cover the taste of the baby spinach, so it won’t be too different from the way the pizza is supposed to be made.
Spicy Chorizo and Pinto Bean Chili
As we mentioned before, chorizo is commonly used in chili. If you’re looking to make new recipes with chorizo, this pinto bean chili needs to rank high on your list.
This recipe uses fish sauce, but don’t worry, we promise that this chili won’t taste like it came from under the sea. Instead, the fish sauce makes each bite more savory.
Though this is a chorizo-based dish, you can always swap it out for ground turkey or tofu if you’re looking to make it healthier. Likewise, chickpeas and cannellini beans are a great alternative to pinto beans if pinto beans aren’t your thing.
Chorizo Breakfast Hash
Ah, we’ve finally reached the part of the article that features one of my favorite recipes using chorizo.
The chorizo wakes up this breakfast scramble. And, it is surely bursting with flavor. The secret ingredients are Yukon gold potatoes simply because you can’t create a good breakfast hash without them.
Of course, if you prefer something a little healthier, you can swap the Yukon gold potatoes out for sweet potatoes instead. This alternative tastes just as good as the original!
Serve with a chilled glass of orange juice and a steaming hot cup of coffee and this is one breakfast you’ll want to eat for lunch and dinner, too.
Spanish Chorizo and Tomato Scrambled Eggs
If you like putting your ketchup on your scrambled eggs, you’ll like this dish, as well.
Out of all the recipes using chorizo, this is one of the most savory. And for good reason. Cherry tomatoes are the secret ingredient because they’re a bit sweeter than traditional tomatoes.
This little jolt of sweetness compliments the dense scrambled eggs and any meat you serve alongside it – such as chorizo!
If you need to swap anything out, use cayenne pepper or Maras pepper flakes instead of paprika. These will provide the necessary heat this dish is so famous for.
Seriously, this is one of the top chorizo dishes on this list. Don’t just take our word for it; try it yourself this weekend.
One Pot Spanish Chorizo “Fried” Rice
Are you looking for a spin on traditional fried rice? What about one that offers up new recipes using chorizo? If so, this is one of the great chorizo recipe ideas we recommend you try.
Though it may sound like a bit of an odd ingredient to add, the secret ingredient is actually chicken stock. Don’t worry, this won’t turn your rice into a soup. Instead, it’s used to inject a savory flavor and a bit more moisture into your so it isn’t dry.
If you don’t have chicken stock, vegetable or even beef stock work well as alternatives. The flavors will burn off during cooking, so don’t worry about them having an overpowering flavor when mixed with the other ingredients.
One Pot Chorizo, Chickpea, and Sweet Potato Stew
Out of all the recipes with chorizo mentioned on this list, this has got to be one of the most unique (and flavorful).
The addition of sweet potatoes already makes it a healthier alternative, but the real star of this recipe is garlic. It just helps blend all the other flavors in this unique dish without being too overpowering.
Though the recipe calls for baby spinach, you could swap it out for some arugula if you prefer. Arugula tends to be a bit spicier than regular spinach leaves. However, these flavor profiles are exactly why it makes such a good alternative to this tasty meal.
Chori Pollo (Chorizo Chicken)
Do you want to eat some great-tasting Mexican food but aren’t in the mood to leave your house and go to your local restaurant? If so, this recipe is for you.
This is an excellent, restaurant-style Mexican dish that is sure to please your entire family. The secret ingredient for this one is taco seasoning. It’s only a small amount but it adds flavor to the dish and marries the other flavors together.
If you need a substitution, you can use either shredded white cheddar or pepper jack cheese as a replacement. We recommend using the pepper jack if you want a little extra kick in your dish.
Easy Chorizo Pasta
While you can use different kinds of meat in a pasta dish, chorizo is going to add a new dimension of flavor. After all, who doesn’t like having some new chorizo dishes to try?
The secret ingredient to this dish is heavy cream. What this does is thicken up the sauce in a way that adds texture without running the flavor. If you need to change anything out in this dish, we recommend using onion powder instead of an onion.
While it may lack the texture that an onion provides, you’ll still get the same amount of flavor to the point where you won’t notice a change in the dish.
16 Of The Best Chorizo Recipes
Ingredients
- 5/4 garlic cloves minced
- 1 tablespoon. ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon. smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon. ground cumin
- 2 teaspoon. dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon. dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon. cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon. ground coriander
- Kosher salt
- 1 lb. ground pork
- 1/2 cup. apple cider vinegar
- Freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Combine your salt, garlic, spices, and herbs in a large bowl. Mix in your pork and vinegar and then sprinkle on some salt and pepper for additional flavor. If you plan on making a chorizo-based meal later on, you can cover your ingredients and refrigerate for up to six days.
- When you’re ready to cook, add your chorizo into a large skillet and cook over medium heat, making sure to break the meat into smaller pieces so they cook through fully. If you’re using chorizo for tacos or burritos, add a scoopful of chorizo into your tortilla, top with your other ingredients like onion and cilantro, and enjoy.