Homemade Chorizo
Whether chorizo is paired with another meat to add a depth of flavor or is the star of a recipe, this sausage takes dinners to over the top delicious. Flavorful Mexican Style Homemade Chorizo is incredibly easy to make with these simple steps.
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Growing up in San Diego, Baja Cuisine has had a heavy influence on my style of cooking and you will see this reflected often in my recipes.
So what exactly is Baja Cuisine?
It is a style of cooking that heavily mirrors the cooking methods from Western Mexico. However, it is also has a fusion of Mediterranean and Asian Cuisine. The reason it is called Baja Cuisine is because you will find this style most predominately in Baja California and my home town of San Diego.
Additionally, Baja Cuisine is generally very fresh and is always highly flavorful. You will see that reflected in this Homemade Chorizo. It very much overlaps with Mexican Chorizo and also has a bit of the elements of  Spanish Style Chorizo.
I need to warn you though, inevitably someone will come along and not read this section and they will very passionately express their disdain for this not being “authentic”. How do I know this? Because I have been down this road many times. If reading those types of comments are entertaining for you, then you will enjoy this Facebook post from my Simple Healthy Guacamole. For more Baja type recipes check out my Baja Chicken Bowl, Shrimp Mango Salsa and Guacamole Chickpea Sandwich.
Chorizo Spices
The spices in this Homemade Chorizo recipe are reflective of both Mexican and Spanish style chorizos. Here is a break down of the type of spices, options to buy and a few alternatives.
- Smoked Paprika- This is my favorite brand, however this brand is more affordable.
- Cayenne Pepper- An alternative that is more traditional to Spanish Style Chorizo is Hot Spanish Paprika.
- Chile Powder- Pure ground chilies with no other spices. This brand is more mild and this one is a little spicier.
- Oregano- Either the Mexican or Mediterranean version may be used.
- Cumin- My favorite brand.
- Ground Ceylon Cinnamon– Did you know that Ceylon Cinnamon is actually the “true cinnamon” and that it is the safer choice over what most grocery stores carry.
- Ground Cloves
- Sea Salt or Pink Himalayan Salt
Pro Tip: For those who are more sensitive to spicy heat, make sure to use a mild chili powder and eliminate the cayenne pepper. To make the best chorizo for you and your family please adjust spice levels to personal preferences.Â
Cooking Chorizo
To cook this Homemade chorizo heat a large frying pan over medium/high heat. Add chorizo and cook, breaking the sausage apart into small crumbles.
How to know when chorizo is done.
Fully cooked chorizo will go from bright red in raw form to a light to darker brown when cooked. The cooking process will take approximately 5-6 mins.
Ground Pork
Depending on how well stocked your grocery store of choice is, finding ground pork is generally a bit of a challenge. My first recommendation, purchase the highest quality you can afford which is organic pasture raised pork. However, this can be a rather significant investment.
Another option would be to grind your own from a pork shoulder (aka pork butt) that was raised without antibiotics. Nevertheless, the easiest way I have found to purchase ground pork is through Butcher Box. Their ground pork tastes amazing, is high quality and comes in convent 1 lb packages. Additionally, I am in love with their other meat options like wild caught salmon, grass-fed rib eye steaks, pork chops, bacon and flat iron steak. It has been such a super convenient way of eating high quality meat in a very simple way.
Can high quality neat be delivered right to your doorstep? Absolutely! Butcher Box is a meat delivery service that delivers your choice of grass-fed beef, heritage pork, free-range chicken and wild caught salmon to your doorstep. Shipping is always free and you can cancel at anytime.
If you enjoyed this Homemade Chorizo recipe please let me know by leaving a comment and review below. Doing so helps to encourage others to make the recipe also. Thank you!
Homemade Chorizo
Ingredients
- 2 lbs ground pork
- 1/4 cup smoked paprika
- 1 tsp caynenne pepper
- 3 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tbsp Mexican oregano *or Mediterranean Oregano is fine.
- 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp ground cloves
- 1 tbsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- 4 cloves garlic *crushed
- 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar *with mother
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Using clean hands, mix ingredients until well combined.
- Cook immediately (Cooking Chorizo section above) or divide into 2 serperate air tight containers (or freezer bags) and refrigerate and/or freeze for later use.
Notes
- This Mexican Chorizo recipe tastes amazing in Prawn and Chorizo Pasta recipe in place of the salami style chorizo.Â
4 stars only because I haven’ t tried it yet! Sounds amazing!
Can’t wait to hear what you think once you try it.
Very flavorful and easy to make. I made this recipe for breakfast tacos and everyone loved them.
could I make this recipe using ground beef?
Hi Ranay! Yes, you absolutely can making it using ground beef. Often the type of meat used depends on the recipe and personal preference. I have also used it with tofu as a vegan option.
Wow! That was very good!! Excellent recipe!! I will never buy chorizo from the grocery store again!! The store I went to didn’t have ground pork to I bought a pork roast and ground it myself. It was very lean but too lean. If I grind it again I’ll make sure it has more fat in it. Thank you so much for sharing!! That is an excellent recipe!!
I am so happy to hear this. Thank you so much for giving the recipe a try and coming back to rate and comment.
use Boston butt, it has the right amount of fat
Great tip.
1/4 cup of smoke paprika is that correct?
Hello Tiki. Yes, 1/4 cup of smoked paprika is correct.
Hi Heather,
Your homemade chorizo recipe sounds AMAZING! I just have a couple of questions. Will it work with ground turkey? Also, what does it mean “*mother ” after the apple cider vinegar listed in the ingredients?? Please let me know. I can’t wait to try it!!
Hi Kathy. I love these questions!
Yes, this recipe will work with ground turkey or chicken. The challenge though is turkey and chicken have less fat than pork so the flavor will be a touch different. Also, additional oil may be needed when cooking the chorizo depending on the type of pan being used and also for additional flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar that has the “mother” tends to be cloudy and has floating bits in the vinegar. This is actually the healthiest part of the vinegar. Here is an article that gives a little more detail. https://www.thekitchn.com/good-question-what-is-this-thi-82249
Hello there’ Thanks for sharing your recipe. I just have wanna know if how may days these chorizo can be store in the freezer? Thank you ✨
Hi Maria!
This is such a great question. For optimal freshness using the chorizo within 3-6 months is best. However, when stored well I have gone a little longer with no issues.
What would I have to add to 3 lbs. Of Elk ground meat? How much pork? I’m anxious to try it!
Thanks!
Hi Sarah. I have used this recipe with ground pork and crumbled tofu. I bet it would be amazing on elk. For 3 lbs of meat here is the proportions.
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons of smoked paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper
4 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
1 1/2 tablespoons od oregano
1/8 teaspoon + a pinch of cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon + a pinch of cloves
1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
6 garlic cloves
3/4 cup apple cider vinegar
Please keep me updated on how it turns out. I hope you enjoy!
good but much better when using rehydrated ancho and guajillo peppers with Chile de arbol for the heat in place of Chile powder, Cayenne and paprica. with the effort.
Sounds like a tasty alternative approach.
only chorizo my husband will eat. very tasty
Thank you so much Kim! That made my day!!!
Great recipe. Made this and froze small portions to make Mexican breakfast bowels. Very yummy.
Thank you so much Brain. You made my day! Also, breakfast bowls sounds so good. Now I want to go make those.
(Edit to last review without autocorrect lol) Great recipe. Made this and froze small portions to make Mexican breakfast bowls. Very yummy.
I love it!!!