10 Ways to Cook with Chorizo Sausage

There are different types of chorizo sausage: fresh, which should be cooked before consumption, and smoked or cured sausage, which is fully cooked and ready to eat. D’Artagnan chorizo is a fully cooked Spanish-style sausage, made with heritage-breed pork. It is spicy and garlicky, with a bold smoky flavor from paprika, which also imparts a gorgeous red color. We make it in small batches with all-natural ingredients. No nitrates or nitrites are used; instead, we rely on celery powder, which acts as a preservative. Since chorizo is fully cooked, it’s ready to serve and enjoy in a variety of recipes. You’ll want to try it in just about everything. Read on for a few ways you can cook with versatile chorizo sausage.

Cooking with Chorizo - How-To's & Tip – Dartagnan.com

1. Tempting Tapas

Simply slice chorizo and serve for traditional tapas. Bring out the flavor by pan-frying the links with a little sherry vinegar before slicing. Try stuffing chunks of sausage into jarred sweet red peppers, like piquillos. Or make our chorizo and greens crostini for a quick bite.

2. Bubbling Brew

Chorizo holds up well when simmered in a flavorful liquid. Chorizo stewed in Spanish red wine is delicious and traditional, but cooking the sausage in apple cider is just as tasty, and adds a mellow sweetness that pairs well with the smoky, spice. Serve the stewed links with rice or potatoes as a hearty dinner.

3. Tortilla Española

Spanish tortillas are delicious and satisfying any time of day. Cook starchy potatoes, chorizo, and onion in a cast-iron skillet with olive oil until soft then add whisked eggs and finish in the oven. Serve for breakfast or brunch, and include a green salad when serving for lunch or light supper. Try our hearty Tortilla Española recipe.

4. Charred and Sliced

Fire-grilling chorizo adds “snap” and layered smoky flavor. Grill until charred and crisp then slice for an easy appetizer. You can also thread chunks of chorizo onto bamboo skewers with shrimp, pork, or chicken, then grill for a quick and tasty summer meal.

5. Flavor Enhancer

Chorizo adds spice and depth of flavor when cooked with other meats, such as chicken. In our quick braised Basque-Style Chicken with Chorizo, chorizo plays an essential role, along with bright peppers and a special regional spice.

6. Comforting Croquettes

Our Chorizo Croquettes with Paprika Sauce are perfect for a party. The crispy, creamy croquettes are studded with spicy chorizo and two types of cheese and served with smoky dipping sauce for an extra kick.

7. Breakfast Sausage

Chorizo is delicious with eggs. Pan-fry cubes of potato with bell peppers, onion, and diced chorizo then top with a soft poached egg for a hearty Rioja-style hash. Follow our Chorizo and Potato Hash with Eggs recipe to brunch victory.

8. Make Seafood Sing

Chorizo adds fire and spice to your favorite fish and shellfish recipes. “Scale” firm white fish, like cod or halibut, by covering with slightly overlapping, paper-thin slices of chorizo before pan-roasting. Add diced chorizo to steamed mussels or clams for smoky broth with a piquant hit. Our Mussels with Chorizo and White Wine recipe will be a hit and be sure to explore our seafood offerings.

9. Perfect Paella

Chorizo is a must-have for Spanish paella, the heavenly mélange of chicken, sausage, shellfish, and saffron-scented rice.

10. Satisfying Soups

Hearty chorizo-studded soups and stews are the perfect antidotes to winter’s chill. Although traditionally used in Galician bean soup and Portuguese Caldo Verde, hunks of chorizo are wonderful added to many different kinds of soup – from corn chowder to lentil, split pea to red pepper bisque.