Name: Chorizo Seasoning
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp sweet paprika; 2 tbsp smoked paprika; 1 tbsp chili pepper; 1 tbsp cayenne pepper; 4 tsp garlic powder; 4 tsp ground cumin; 3 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp salt

Chorizo Seasoning is that special blend of dried herbs and spices added to ground pork which is then formed into a sausage. Chorizo sausage comes in two styles – Mexican and Spanish. The Mexican style is a raw pork sausage seasoned with vinegar and chili peppers, whereas the Spanish version is fully cooked and made with garlic and smoked, sweet or hot paprika.

This recipe for Chorizo Seasoning resembles the Spanish style.

Chorizo Seasoning is so flavorful, it doesn’t have to be reserved just for making pork sausages. See the section below “How to use Chorizo Seasoning” and you’ll discover how versatile this seasoning can be.

Ingredients

Sweet Paprika.
Smoked Paprika.
Chili Pepper.
Cayenne Pepper.
Garlic Powder.
Ground Cumin.
Dried Oregano.
Black Pepper.
Salt.

Instructions

Put all the herbs and spices into a bowl and mix well. Transfer to a container with an airtight lid. A screw top or hinged lid mason jar is ideal.

Flexibility

The typical ingredients for authentic Chorizo Seasoning have been included in this recipe. As always feel free to add or delete ingredients. I would however recommend using only dried herbs and spices in this recipe.

Uses for Chorizo Seasoning

There are so. many. uses. for this Seasoning. Every time I think I’ve mentioned them all – another suggestion comes to mind! Here they are:

The most obvious suggestion is to add it to ground pork to make Chorizo sausage.
Other pork cuts. Rub it on a pork butt, pork chops or pork belly, then oven roast, grill or pan fry.
Add it to vegetable soups.
Stews, particularly beef or chicken. Try it with this Smoked Chicken Breast recipe.
Scrambled eggs.
As a garnish on avocado slices, or cottage cheese.
On a Bloody Mary glass rim.
Sprinkle on steamed or roasted vegetables.
Make a ‘house’ butter, then use it with baked potatoes, sweet corn or on bread.
As an ingredient in cornbread.
As a coating for a goat cheese log.
As a flavoring when cooking rice.

Storage

Store Chorizo Seasoning in a screw top or hinged lid mason jar. Keep it in a dark pantry for up to 4 months. After that, the Seasoning starts to loose some of its flavor potency. Do not freeze.

A Tip From Me

Forego the store bought Seasoning and make your own. Why make your own Seasonings? Simple answer – it puts you in to control. Control of your finances because homemade Seasoning is cheaper; control over ingredients – you can choose to use organic or natural ingredients; control over the freshness of your Seasoning. Make a small batch, perhaps enough for your recipe, it takes less than 5 minutes. Fresh Seasoning always tastes better.

Got Questions?

I’ve got answers – hopefully!

How do I make this seasoning less spicy (heat wise)? Reduce the spices that provide the most heat, they are chili pepper and cayenne pepper. If you really want to reduce the heat, eliminate these spices altogether.
Now that I have made Chorizo Seasoning, how do I make Chorizo? To make the Mexican style of Chorizo, you’ll need to mix some ground pork with vinegar and the Mexican style of Chorizo Seasoning. Pan fry the meat for 8-10 minutes and then serve. Making the Spanish style of Chorizo is a little more complicated involving preparing a seasoned pork sausage for curing. I’d advise you to find your own recipe you like.
What is the difference between Mexican and Spanish Chorizo Seasoning? The Mexican version contains ground and dry chili peppers along with vinegar whereas the Spanish version contains either sweet or hot paprika. This recipe is the Spanish version and it contains sweet and smoked paprika.