Chorizo is many people’s favorite Spanish dish.
It has many uses but can be prepared in many different ways.
There are several ways to preserve it; however, how long can chorizo stay in the fridge?
This article will explain how you can store chorizo and how long you can do that.
Chorizo can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.
It should be wrapped in plastic and an airtight container with other cured meats like salami.
Although, the shelf life of chorizo can vary greatly depending on the quality, age, and preservation method.
When stored properly, chorizo should be safe to eat within 10 days after making it.
However, storing your chorizo in a brand-name deli case with a vacuum sealer lid should stay safe between 4-7 days after it was made.
Also, you can store it in the freezer for longer than one month, but consuming it within a few days after opening is better.
How Long Can Raw Chorizo Stay in the Fridge?
Raw chorizo can stay in the fridge for up to 5 days, but only if it is completely wrapped up and sealed.
Otherwise, you will need to prepare it quickly because it will begin to go off and smell bad after some hours of sitting at room temperature.
And if you want to keep your chorizo longer, consider freezing it.
It will help ensure that the meat stays fresh and tasty as long as possible without drying out or getting freezer burn.
You can freeze your chorizo in individual portions or even double bag them with extra air between them, so they don’t stick together while thawing at room temperature.
So If you freeze it, make sure that you wrap it well with plastic so that it does not dry out.
How Long Can Cooked Chorizo Stay in the Fridge
Cooked chorizo is an excellent source of protein and healthy fat, so it’s perfect for making meals that are high in both.
If you plan to make your meals using cooked chorizo, keep it in the fridge for up to five days.
Meanwhile, It depends on the type of chorizo you buy, and if the casing is pulled off when cooking, it will keep in the fridge for up to a week.
Although, chorizo works best if it’s used within a few days of cooking.
But you can still keep it for about a week in the fridge if it’s well wrapped.
And if you’ve cooked your chorizo on the stovetop, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days.
If you’re looking to make longer-term use of your chorizo, we recommend freezing it, which will last for 6 months.
Just label it with a date and use it by date so it doesn’t go bad before you’re ready to eat it.
Does Chorizo Go Bad in the Fridge?
Chorizo is made with different types of salted and cured pork.
It’s typically made from white meat, though you can make it from less expensive off-white meat.
It will last well in the fridge if you keep it sealed in an airtight container like a plastic bag or glass jar.
But keep an eye on it—chorizo will start to turn brown if it’s exposed to air for too long.
If you open your jar and the chorizo looks like it’s starting to go bad, throw it out and buy some more.
Furthermore, the cooking process makes the meat tender and moist, so it’s at its best when eaten soon after it’s cooked.
But it’s cured in brine; it will last longer in the fridge than many other sausages and meats.
How Do You Know When Chorizo Is Done?
The most important thing to remember when cooking chorizo is that it can be cooked either by dry-frying or by adding oil.
Once the casing has dried out, it will normally be too hard to slice with a knife, and it must then be re-cased before frying or cooking.
Here are a few ways to tell if chorizo is done:
1. Look at the color of the sausage. It should be a rich, reddish-brown. If not, give it another minute or two in the pan, and check again.
2. Check its texture—if it feels soft and squishy like peanut butter, it needs more time on the stove. You’re good to go if it feels firm or crunchy like jerky.
3. Check for doneness; use your nose! The smell should be similar to Italian sausage when cooked up right.
4. If you have a thermometer, check it at 170 degrees Fahrenheit.
5. You can test whether your sausage is done by cutting it off with a barbecue fork or tongs. If the outer edge comes off easily and flakes like bacon, you’ll know chorizo is done.
How Long Does Chorizo Take to Cook?
Chorizo is a spicy Spanish sausage similar to Italian salami, but it’s a little saltier and has a stronger flavor.
It’s often made from pork or chicken and seasoned with paprika, oregano, garlic, and onions.
It takes about 20 minutes to cook chorizo, so ensure you have everything ready before you start cooking.
And if you’re using a stovetop, heat a large pan over medium-high heat, and add several tablespoons of olive oil.
Add the chorizo in a single layer, then allow it to be brown on each side for about 5-6 minutes.
If you’re using an oven, preheat your oven to 425 degrees F.
Place a large cast-iron pan on the oven middle rack and heat for about 5 minutes.
Then add the chorizo and brown for about 8-10 minutes until cooked through and crispy on the outside.
Also, you can cook chorizo by pan-frying it in olive oil until crispy on one side before flipping it over.
You can also simmer it in water for about 15 minutes until tender before serving.
Difference Between Chorizo and Longaniza
Chorizo and longaniza are two sausages used in Mexican cuisine.
They are different in many ways, including the method they’re made, the ingredients used, and the way they’re cooked.
Chorizo is a cured pork sausage with paprika and garlic seasoning.
Longaniza is a Mexican version of salami: it’s made from pork, pepperoni, other similar ingredients, and garlic.
Chorizo and longaniza are made from meat cured with salt and spices before being smoked or dried for preservation.
Also, chorizo is typically eaten on its own as an appetizer or as a taco filling; longaniza can also be eaten on its own as part of a meal or as part of a sandwich.
Chorizo and longaniza typically have a stronger flavor than other types of sausage; however, they tend to be less spicy than hot dogs or bologna because they’re intended to be savory rather than spicy.
How to Tell If Chorizo Is Bad
There are a few ways to tell if your chorizo is bad:
The first one is the smell. If the chorizo smells off, it’s probably not good.
It’s worth checking in a pot or pan and on your hands if you’re handling it.
Another way to tell if your chorizo is bad is by taste—if it tastes bitter or burnt, it’s not fresh and could be dangerous to eat.
Also, if the color of the meat seems off, like brown instead of red or grey instead of reddish pink – this means that the meat was contaminated by salmonella poisoning.
You can also try to cook it yourself with other spices that might help mask its bad taste (like cumin).
What Does Chorizo Look Like
Chorizo is made of pork and spices.
It is usually sold in a casing (it can be eaten as such, but it’s more commonly used in dishes like tacos).
It has a mild flavor, and that’s why it is used in various dishes, including tacos, stews, casseroles, and more.
And if you’re trying to figure out what chorizo looks like, you’ll want to look for a dark brown or black sausage with a bit of red on the casing.
It should be juicy and have some fat (this is where the flavor comes from).
Generally, It is made with pork, paprika, garlic, and salt.
It’s often sold in long smoked or braised strips, but it can also be ground and used to flavor other dishes.
Is Boar’s Head Uncured Chorizo Ready to Eat?
Boar’s Head Uncured Chorizo is a spicy sausage you can buy at most supermarkets or grocery stores.
It’s made from pork and cured with spices like chile peppers, paprika, garlic, and salt.
The result is an uncooked sausage that is ready to eat—but not for the faint of heart!
The problem with this product?
It contains pork lard.
Lard is a byproduct of the rendering process used in making animal fats like bacon, ham, and sausage.
You can also use as an ingredient in many foods because it has a high smoke point (meaning it won’t burn at very high heat), making it ideal for frying meatballs or making fried rice dishes.
Unfortunately, lard can also cause digestive problems if eaten in large quantities because its fat content attracts bacteria that cause intestinal inflammation when consumed over long periods.
Can I Freeze Chorizo?
Chorizo is cooked and seasoned with cumin, paprika, and oregano.
The spicier the chorizo, the better—but don’t worry: chorizo isn’t hot like spicy peppers.
It’s just a little bit spicy.
You can freeze chorizo in individual portions or in bulk bags to store for later use.
If you want to freeze it in small portions, simply wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap or place them in freezer-safe containers before placing them in the freezer.
And if you’re freezing larger amounts of chorizo, you’ll need to divide it into smaller bags or containers so that it doesn’t get too muddled together when thawed out later on down the line.
When thawing out your chorizo after freezing it, be sure not to add any additional water while cooking—if you do so, your dish will be too soupy and won’t hold up well when reheated later on down the line.
Also, if you’re using chorizo in tacos or burritos, cook it first and then cut it into 1-inch pieces.
Then freeze them for 6 months in an airtight container.
You’ll need to add some liquid to the container before freezing since when the block of meat thaws out, it will be dryer than when you cooked it originally.
How Long Does Chorizo Last in the Freezer?
Chorizo can be stored in your fridge for up to 3 months, but it’s best not to keep it longer than that!
After all, you want the flavor to stay fresh and delicious as long as possible.
If you’re preparing chorizo for a dish where you want it to last longer than 3 months, then you should consider freezing your chorizo instead of storing it in the fridge.
When it comes time to cook up your chorizo again,
Here’s how long it will last after being frozen:
1 lb of chorizo can be frozen for 4 months before it starts turning mushy
2 lbs of chorizo can be frozen for 8 months before it starts turning mushy
Ensure you leave at least 1-2 inches of space between the chorizo and the top of your freezer, as air needs to circulate for the chorizo to stay fresh.
How to Cook Chorizo in the Oven
Chorizo is the perfect option if you’re looking for alternatives to add a little more heat to your favorite recipes without sacrificing flavor.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 – 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. Place one piece of chorizo on the baking sheet and flatten it out, which is about 1/4 inch thick.
Step 2: Cook for about 10 minutes per side or until golden brown and crisp.
Step 3: Remove from the heat and place on paper towels to drain excess grease. Repeat with the remaining pieces of chorizo on the baking sheet until all have been cooked.
However, You can also buy pre-cooked chorizo at the supermarket or in the deli case if you want to save time on the stovetop.
Is Chorizo Unhealthy?
Chorizo is not a healthy food because it contains saturated fat, sodium, and cholesterol.
For example, one serving of chorizo contains about 2 grams of saturated fat and 180 milligrams of sodium- about half your daily requirement for sodium.
The American Heart Association advises limiting your intake of saturated fat to no more than 10% of your total calories per day (5).
Another major concern about chorizo is that it contains a lot of fat.
The American Heart Association recommended that one should limit the intake of red meat to six ounces daily because it contains saturated fat that can raise your cholesterol level.
It also contains nitrates, linked to cancer in laboratory animals.
What Happens If You Eat Raw Chorizo?
If you eat raw chorizo, you might experience a few side effects.
The most common side effect is nausea.
Other side effects include diarrhea and vomiting.
If you eat raw chorizo, it could cause some severe problems:
First, chorizo is typically made from pork and other meat products, which are full of bacteria.
So if you were to eat raw chorizo, you would probably get sick.
The second problem with eating raw chorizo is that it’s very spicy.
It means that if you eat it without being able to taste it.
For example, put it in your mouth and eat, swallow it before your tongue could register any flavor, you might experience severe vomiting and diarrhea.
Finally, eating raw chorizo can also cause an allergic reaction in some people—especially children—so they can have trouble breathing or have a rash on their skin.
Meanwhile, the best way to ensure you don’t eat raw sausage is to buy it pre-cooked. If you buy it raw, then you should cook it before eating it.
This can be done in a variety of ways:
- Heat it in a pan or on the grill.
- Cook it in a pressure cooker
- Make a paste with it, and then use it as your meat’s base
Why Does Chorizo Hurt My Stomach?
Chorizo is a sausage made from pork, paprika, and garlic.
It often contains other spices and seasonings, including salt, pepper, and cumin.
The combination of these ingredients makes chorizo an extremely spicy food that can get your mouth burning in no time at all.
The reason why chorizo hurts your stomach is because of how quickly it gets into your system.
Chorizo is typically made with paprika (which contains capsaicin), which will burn your mouth and throat when you eat it.
It can lead to heartburn or even vomiting if you overeat.
If you find yourself feeling sick after eating chorizo, there are a couple of things you can try:
1. Eat smaller amounts of chorizo at once than usual. It will help reduce how much spice gets into your system at once.
2. Drink water after eating chorizo so that your stomach has something to absorb/breathe while digesting the food (this will also help keep food from coming back up).
3. You can try to avoid eating this spicy sausage.
4. You can also try to eat it with other foods that will help reduce the amount of gas produced by the chorizo.
Conclusion
While chorizo has fat and some of the fat may separate from the meat during storage.
It is normal and will not affect the shelf life.
But when preserving it, how long can chorizo stay in the fridge?
It does depend on how it’s cooked and how long it stays good, but 5-7 days should be fine.
Just use your judgment on if it looks bad or smells off, then throws it out.
Equipment
- 1 Jar
Ingredients
- 5 guajillo chiles
- 2 ancho chiles
- ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
- 3 bay leaves
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons Mexican oregano
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ pounds ground pork
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium sized pot. Add the guajillo and ancho chiles to the pot and let them boil for 8-10 minutes or until soft.
- Drain the chilis from the water, retaining a few tablespoons of the water the chilis cooked in.
- Blend the chilis, apple cider vinegar, bay leaves, cumin, oregano, onion powder, thyme, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cloves in a blender until the mixture is smooth.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the water you used to boil the chiles if the mixture is too dry and not pureeing smoothly, as needed. Simply add a little extra liquid if necessary to enable your blender to process the pepper mixture; you don’t want the puree to be too thin. Discard any of the remaining water you don’t use.
- Place the sauce on top of the pork in a big bowl. Add the oil and stir the sauce and meat until thoroughly mixed.
- For 8–24 hours, cover and marinade the meat. Refrigerate the meat for up to 2-3 days (depending on the best by date on the raw meat) or freeze it in an air tight container (such a freezer friendly ziplock with extra air evacuated) for up to 6 months until ready to cook. Thaw before cooking if frozen.
- To cook, heat a skillet over medium heat and add the chorizo. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid scorching. Serve as is or in tacos or with eggs.
Video
Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.