Easy Fresh Mexican Chorizo Recipe

Fresh chorizo is the perfect sausage for tacos, chilies, enchiladas, nachos, and much more.

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Photographs: J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

This recipe makes a pound and a half of bulk fresh Mexican chorizo-style sausage to be used as a base ingredient for tacos, chilies, enchiladas, nachos, and many other Mexican preparations.

Recipe Details

Easy Fresh Mexican Chorizo Recipe

Active 15 mins
Total 8 hrs
Serves 6 servings
Makes 1 1/2 pounds

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds pork shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes (see notes)

  • 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

  • 1 tablespoon ancho chile powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground achiote (optional, see notes)

  • 3 medium cloves garlic, minced (about 1 tablespoon)

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried Mexicano oregano

  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander seeds

  • Pinch ground cinnamon

  • 3 tablespoons red wine or distilled white vinegar

Directions

  1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss until homogenous. Let rest for at least 4 hours and up to overnight. When ready to grind, grind through a chilled meat grinder fitted with a 1/4-inch plate. Alternatively, working in 1/4-pound batches, pulse in a food processor until finely chopped. Knead chopped meat by hand in a large bowl, or with the paddle attachment in the stand mixer until slightly tacky. Cook as desired. Chorizo can be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Special Equipment

Meat grinder or food processor (see notes)

Notes

You can make the homemade chorizo with store-bought ground pork if you don't have a meat grinder or food processor. To make with store-bought ground pork, combine pork with chorizo seasonings as directed in step 1 and mix well until tacky. Let rest at least 4 hours and up to 3 days before cooking as desired.The achiote gives the meat a deep red color, but it is totally optional.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
258 Calories
18g Fat
2g Carbs
20g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 258
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 18g 24%
Saturated Fat 7g 34%
Cholesterol 77mg 26%
Sodium 622mg 27%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 20g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 35mg 3%
Iron 2mg 9%
Potassium 324mg 7%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)