How To Cook Chorizo Sausage On The Stove For Maximum Flavor

Chorizo sausage is a popular spicy sausage used in many Spanish and Mexican dishes. With its rich paprika and garlic flavors, chorizo can add a delicious kick to everything from tacos to pasta. While you can find pre-cooked chorizo sausage, cooking it yourself on the stove allows you to bring out the full depth of flavors. Read on to learn all my tips and tricks for making perfect chorizo sausage on the stove every time.

Selecting The Right Chorizo Sausage

Not all chorizo sausages are created equal, so start with high-quality chorizo sausage. Look for chorizo made from high-quality pork and seasoned boldly with paprika, garlic, cumin and other warm spices. Spanish-style chorizo tends to be cured and firm, while Mexican-style chorizo is fresher and softer. I prefer Spanish-style, but both work wonderfully. For maximum flavor, purchase chorizo with casing and remove it yourself before cooking.

Preparing Chorizo For Stove-Top Cooking

Once you have your chorizo sausage, properly preparing it is an essential first step:

• Remove casing – Slit the casing lengthwise with a sharp knife, then peel it off. Removing the casing prevents the chorizo from bursting during cooking.

• Cut into chunks – For the best texture, cut the chorizo into 1-inch chunks This increases the surface area for delicious browning

• Pat dry – Chorizo releases a lot of oil and fat during cooking. Patting the chunks dry prevents splattering.

Properly preparing the chorizo ensures beautifully browned and crisp chunks, without any awkward bursting casings. Now it’s ready for the stove!

Cooking Chorizo On The Stove

The stovetop lets you achieve perfect browning and crispiness for intensely flavored chorizo

• Use cast iron or nonstick pan – Cast iron is my personal favorite for achieving a good sear. Nonstick works as well.

• Heat pan to medium-high – Get the pan nice and hot before adding the chorizo This helps it brown beautifully

• Add chorizo chunks in single layer – Resist overcrowding the pan, which steams instead of browns. Work in batches if needed.

• Let cook undisturbed for 2-3 minutes – This first sear develops gorgeous browning. Resist stirring initially.

• Occasionally stir and turn chunks – Stir every few minutes to promote even browning on all sides.

• Cook for 8-10 minutes total – Cook until the chorizo is nicely browned outside and cooked through inside.

• If needed, drain excess grease – Chorizo releases a good amount of oil. Drain if desired.

Follow these steps for chorizo with an incredible texture – crispy exterior and juicy interior infused with smoky, spicy flavor.

Adding Flavor Boosts

Adding a few extras during stove-top cooking amplifies the flavor of the chorizo:

• Sauté aromatics – Cook chopped onions, garlic, or peppers before adding chorizo.

• Deglaze with wine or broth – This picks up flavorful browned bits stuck to the pan.

• Splash in vinegar or citrus – A dash of something acidic brightens the other flavors.

• Simmer in tomato sauce – Letting the chorizo simmer in tomato sauce infuses everything with flavor.

• Toss with fresh herbs – Cilantro, parsley, oregano, and mint are perfect finishes.

With just a few simple additions, you can take your chorizo to the next level.

Serving Up Delicious Chorizo

Now that you have beautifully seared chorizo sausage, it’s time to enjoy it! Chorizo is wonderfully versatile in terms of serving methods:

• Tacos – Crispy chorizo with onion and cilantro is taco perfection.

• Eggs – Add chorizo to scrambled eggs or a breakfast hash.

• Quesadillas – Chorizo amps up quesadillas exponentially.

• Nachos – Scatter chorizo over nachos with beans, cheese and more.

• Pizza – Chorizo makes an amazing pizza topping.

• Salads – Turn a salad into a meal by topping it with chorizo.

• Soups – Simmer chorizo in soups like potato, bean, or tomato.

However you serve it up, chorizo sausage cooked on the stove is delicious, satisfying and full of robust flavor. Follow my tips for selecting, prepping and cooking chorizo, and you’ll have an incredible sausage ready to transform any meal. ¡Buen provecho!