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This Mexican chorizo recipe is easy to make right at home and is packed with bold and authentic flavors and spices to level up any meal! It’s perfect for all your favorite dishes, such as tacos, nachos, queso fundido, and more!
Chorizo is easily one of my favorite Mexican ingredients to use. It’s packed with tons of great flavor and adds so much depth to even the simplest recipes. I find store-bought chorizo to be a little too greasy, so I’ve created my own homemade chorizo recipe to make it even better. Here’s why I love this recipe:
- It’s simple: Making this Mexican chorizo recipe is so quick and simple. Just mix together the spices and toss in the ground pork and vinegar.
- Healthier than store-bought: Store-bought chorizo tends to use less quality meats and is higher in fat. I like to use extra lean or lean ground pork for a slightly healthier option.
What Is Chorizo?
Mexican chorizo is an intensely seasoned sausage made of ground pork and a medley of spices. It’s different from Spanish chorizo that is cured and dried, similar to salami, in that Mexican chorizo is raw and must be cooked. Store-bought Mexican chorizo comes in a casing and you can also find a version of beef, soy, and even chicken chorizo in most stores.
Chorizo is a super versatile ingredient with a distinct flavor. It’s packed with spices like paprika, coriander, and various chili powders. I love to use it as a filling or garnish to take simple recipes to the next level!
Want to learn more? Read What Is Chorizo? for an in-depth look at chorizo!
Chorizo Recipe Ingredients
- Ground pork: I used ground pork for a bit of fat and juices, but you can also use lean or extra lean based on your preference.
- Chili powders: Chorizo is traditionally made with rehydrated ancho chiles and guajillo chile peppers that are ground into a paste. To keep things simple and user-friendly, I used ancho chili powder and regular chili powder instead.
- Paprika: Paprika is another key flavor used in chorizo and gives it its signature red color.
- Mexican spices: A mix of spices like cumin, Mexican oregano, and coriander gives the chorizo its signature Mexican flavor.
- Garlic: Two minced garlic cloves add great flavor. Fresh garlic cloves have a stronger flavor but you can use 2 teaspoons of garlic powder if you’re in a pinch.
- Cinnamon and cloves: Cinnamon and cloves add some warmth and spice to the chorizo that give it depth of flavor.
- Salt: I used ½ teaspoon of kosher salt to compliment all the chorizo spices. I find store-bought chorizo to be on the salty side, but you can easily adjust the salt to your liking.
- White distilled vinegar: Vinegar adds some tanginess to help cut the hearty and heavy spices.
How to Make Chorizo
Mix all the dried spices together in a small bowl until well combined. Mixing the spices together beforehand ensures that they are evenly distributed in the ground pork.
Combine the ground pork, minced garlic, vinegar, and chorizo spices in a large mixing bowl, using your hands to really mix everything together. Every inch of ground pork should be seasoned.
Now it’s ready to use! You can cook it in a large skillet for 7-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon until fully cooked.
Recipe Tips & Variations
- Sensitive to spice? You can adjust the amount of chili powder to your liking to make it more or less spicy.
- Switch up the protein. This blend of seasoning is also great with ground beef, chicken, and turkey.
- Make it smoky: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a smoky kick.
- Make it spicy: Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne to add some heat.
- Make it vegan: Use tofu instead of ground pork for a great vegan and vegetarian chorizo option.
Ways to Use Chorizo
Chorizo is super versatile and can be used in a variety of recipes. From fillings to garnishes, here are a few ideas:
- The ultimate Mexican breakfast: Make a classic chorizo with eggs along with warm corn tortillas and refried beans for a filling and satisfying breakfast.
- Tacos: Use it as a filling for chorizo tacos, breakfast tacos, or even classic hard shell tacos.
- Appetizers and party recipes: Use it as a garnish for sheet pan nachos, taco pizza, queso blanco, or frijoles puercos.
- Soups and stews: Use it in this chorizo chili, in stews, and in hearty soups to add a boost of flavor.
Storing Instructions
To store, transfer uncooked chorizo sausage to an airtight container or storage bag. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months until ready to cook.
More Mexican Recipes
If you tried this Chorizo Recipe or any other recipe on Isabel Eats, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know how it went in the comments below! I love hearing about your experience making it!
Chorizo Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- ½ tablespoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon ancho chili powder
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 1 pinch ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground cloves
- 1 pound ground pork
- 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Mix together paprika, cumin, ancho chili powder, chili powder, oregano, coriander, salt, cinnamon, and cloves in a medium bowl.
- Add the ground pork, mixed chorizo seasoning, white vinegar, and garlic to a large bowl. Mix everything together with your hands until well combined.
- Use immediately in your favorite recipe or store for later.
- To cook, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chorizo and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until browned, breaking up the meat with a spatula until fully cooked.
Notes
- To store, transfer uncooked chorizo sausage to an airtight container or storage bag. Refrigerate for up to 2 days or freeze for up to 3 months until ready to cook.
- Sensitive to spice? You can adjust the amount of chili powder to your liking to make it more or less spicy.
- Make it vegan: Use tofu instead of ground pork for a great vegan and vegetarian chorizo option.
- Make it spicy: Add 1 teaspoon of cayenne to add some heat.
- Make it smoky: Use smoked paprika instead of regular paprika for a smoky kick.
- Switch up the protein. This blend of seasoning is also great with ground beef, chicken, and turkey.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This post was originally published in April 2010 and has been updated with new photos, more helpful tips, and a better overall recipe with small tweaks.
Photography by Ashley McLaughlin.
I make this chorizo often because it is flavorful and not greasy!
I have yet to make this, but I plan to soon. My reason for writing was I went to the store the other day, and on 2 different brands of Mexican chorizo, the first ingredient was salivary glands. Sorry, I just cannot get past that, just kind of gross to me. (and I LOVE chorizo) Then, magically, you posted a recipe that I received today. I did not want to wait until next week when I try it to thank you.
A lot of people feel this way when they look at the ingredients, so I totally get it! I also find that many brands of store-bought chorizo are just very, very greasy. I think making it at home using a recipe like this is a great alternative and allows you to tweak it to your liking!
My pet peeve is that you don’t give precise measurements. You give a list of spices but no amounts needed
Hi Dolores, the measurements of the recipe are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post. You’ll find the precise ingredients and instructions right there as well as a way to print out the recipe if you choose. Hope that helps!
I’ve tried several of your recipes and haven’t been disappointed yet how ever I my second batch of drunk in beans didn’t come out as good I think it was me and the Modello beer though thank you for the great recipes
How does the cinnamon affect the recipe’s taste? I have always used tampico chorizo spices and was wondering how your recipe would taste in comparison.
I find that the touch of cinnamon and clove in the recipe adds some more depth of flavor, without making it too cinnamon-y if that makes sense. It just balances out all of the bold spices. I’ve never used the Tampico spice mix, so I’m not quite sure how it compares.
Is it ok to use apple cider vinegar instead of distilled white vinegar (it’s what I always have in hand).
I actually don’t recommend using apple cider vinegar. The flavor changes quite a bit when I’ve used ACV. I’ve also tested it with white wine vinegar and come to the same conclusion. Distilled white vinegar is the way to go!