Turkey Chorizo Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is turkey chorizo made of? ›

Combine turkey, vinegar, chili powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, sweet paprika, salt, cumin, coriander, Mexican oregano, dried chipotle pepper, cinnamon, and cloves in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Refrigerate at least 1 hour for flavors to blend. Store in the refrigerator or freeze until ready to use.

Chorizo is usually made from cuts of pork, vinegar, and spices. Using leaner turkey or even ground chicken cuts back on the fat but still has plenty of great flavors. Just be sure to use 93% turkey rather than 99%, which will be far too dry. This healthy chorizo is so easy and versatile.

Pan-Frying

Heat a pan: Place a pan over medium heat. Cooking chorizo slowly over low heat will allow its flavors to fully develop, but medium heat works almost as well if you're in a time crunch. Avoid using high heat, because it will burn the chorizo links without fully cooking them through.

2) Chorizo May Contain Nitrites and Nitrates

According to the World Health Organization, nitrates and nitrites are potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compounds.

In the US, Mexican chorizo is typically the most widely available. Less expensive brands of Mexican chorizo are often made from finely ground and seasoned organ meat (spleen is a popular choice) and put into plastic casings from which you squeeze out the filling before cooking.

Processed meat is any meat that's been treated to make it last longer, or taste better, by adding chemical preservatives such as nitrates. This could be through smoking, curing, or salting the meat. Processed meat includes ham, bacon, corned beef, and some sausages like salami, chorizo and hot dogs.

Bacon generally has lower calorie and fat content compared to chorizo, but both can be high in sodium. It is advisable to consume these meats in moderation and consider healthier alternatives whenever possible.

Because Mexican chorizo is flavored with peppers, it has a slightly spicier taste compared to smoky Spanish chorizo. Additionally, Mexican chorizo is sold fresh and must be cooked before consuming; you can either buy loose chorizo or remove the meat from the casing, or you can cook the links whole.

Just The Tip: Pork Chorizo is the lowest in calories and fat!

Chorizo con huevos is often used in breakfast burritos, tacos, and taquitos. Another popular Mexican recipe is fried chorizo combined with pinto or black refried beans. This combination is often used in tortas as a spread, or as a side dish where plain refried beans would normally be served.

Can you pan fry chorizo? ›

Traditional Spanish chorizo is a dry-cured sausage and doesn't require cooking before eating. However, if you're after a crispy, crunchy outside and soft but firm inside, pan frying is the way to go.

Cooking the Sausage

Add the chorizo links in the air fryer at 400 for 10-12 minutes. You do not need to spray with a non-stick spray at this point – the sausage will release enough juices in the air frying process. Cook the sausage until it reaches an internal temperature of 165.

Avoid pork or pork related products – salami, chorizo, prosciutto – they are inflammatory. Cut out high fat – crisps, chocolate and desserts.

All You Need to Know About Chorizo: FAQs

Also, you should avoid these high-fat, high-sodium sausages if you have hypertension or a heart condition. Folks with with digestive problems should not eat overly spicy foods, either.

Are chorizo and eggs a healthy meal? Totally! Meat and eggs are rich in protein essential to muscle and bone strength, besides being fabulicious.

Chorizo is made with intestines, because it's a sausage and sausage is packed into pork casings, which are made from intestine. But chorizo is mostly comprised of highly seasoned ground pork. Whether it's fresh or dried and the particular recipe vary by chorizo-making tradition.

“Our chorizo is 100 percent natural,” he says. “We use only the highest quality cuts of pork, which is the pork shoulder or Boston butt. We never include cereal or lesser cuts of meat like salivary glands or lymph nodes.”

The Cut. The bife de chorizo cut is entrecôte (which in French means between the ribs) and comes from the dorsal part of the cow, specifically the back part of the loin. After cutting it from the cow, bife de chorizo has a rib which the butcher or chef separates from the meat before cooking.

What is Chorizo Made of? Chorizo is a pork-based sausage. The traditional Spanish chorizo recipe combines pork, smoked paprika and garlic.