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    Recipes » Homemade Chorizo Seasoning Spice Mix

    Homemade Chorizo Seasoning Spice Mix

    Published: Apr 1, 2021 · Modified: Apr 11, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases ·

    Jump to Recipe

    Chorizo sausage is well-known for its potent flavor. With this chorizo seasoning, you'll get all the flavor of delicious chorizo and can put it on anything you want.

    Chorizo seasonings are made from a variety of ingredients used most often in hispanic and latin foods. The flavor of chorizo comes primarily from a mix of ground chiles and ground herbs. Like chili pepper, garlic, paprika, oregano, and salt. Many recipes include coriander and vinegar as well. 

    jar of seasoning mix with a mortar and pestle in the background
    store in a jar for less steps between and burritos
    Jump to:
    • Ingredients & Substitutions
    • Ways to Make it Your Own
    • How to Use Chorizo Spices
    • FAQ
    • Recipe
    • Reviews

    These chorizo spices can be added to almost any item to boost flavor. Try using this spice blend instead of Mexican seasonings. Use on your favorite ground meat, add to your favorite soups and dips for a little kick, or even to bring a little more life into breakfast burritos. 

    This is my favorite way to add spiced chorizo flavor to recipes. Feel free to play with it too. Add more of what you like and less of what you don't to personalize it to your taste and diet.

    Ingredients & Substitutions

    Garlic powder - If you're planning to use your seasoning as soon as you make it, you can swap garlic powder for fresh garlic. To do so, use ½ tsp ground cloves garlic instead of the two tablespoons of powder. 

    Chili powder - If you like your food with more heat, you can swap regular chili powder with ancho chili powder. Regular chili powders are made from a combination of peppers. Ancho chili powder focuses on just the one variety of ancho chiles, resulting in a spicier flavor.

    Smoked paprika - If you can't find smoked paprika, you can use all regular paprika.

    Sweet paprika - Typically labeled just as "paprika" in your local store.

    Salt - You can use kosher salt, if preferred, though do not swap for sea salt unless you can grind the flakes into smaller pieces with a mortar and pestle.

    Oregano - Ground oregano works best in this recipe. If you only have oregano leaves, double the amount to four teaspoons.

    Cumin - Ground cumin is what we're after here too, versus cumin seeds.

    Black pepper - Freshly ground pepper will provide the best flavor.

    overhead shot of each seasoning on a different small square plate in a 2x3 pattern
    mix it up by using different spices

    Ways to Make it Your Own

    The best thing about homemade chorizo spice blends is that there is an unlimited number of combinations. This isn't store-bought chorizo sausage seasoning, so don't be afraid to customize the recipe to your liking.

    If you want even more heat, try adding a tsp cayenne pepper. You can add as much as you want, just do so a tsp at a time until you get to the spiciness level you're after.

    Planning to use this blend in Mexican recipes? Try adding ½ tsp cinnamon. Looking for a blend to use in hearty soups? Try adding one teaspoon coriander to add a greater depth of flavor.

    If you have dried ancho chiles you bought at a farmers market sitting in your cabinet just waiting to be used (I can't be the only one), try rehydrating them in vinegar and puree into a paste. Apple cider vinegar and red wine vinegar are your best bets. Just remember that when using fresh ingredients, your spice blend should be enjoyed the same day.

    Play with everything until it's just right for you!

    How to Use Chorizo Spices

    Remember that chorizo is most popular in Latin and Mexican recipes. Chorizo sausage is also traditionally made with ground pork, so those are great flavors to start with.

    Try adding this chorizo seasoning to ground pork for breakfast burritos. We love the That Zest Life Chorizo Breakfast Burritos! Or use to flavor ground beef when you're making tacos or nachos. Planning to make enchiladas? Season chicken breasts generously before grilling or baking.

    You can even swap out the cumin for this chorizo seasoning in my cast iron chicken with chimichurri recipe. Feeling extra brave? Try making your own chorizo sausages. 

    This flavorful chorizo seasoning can be used in so many dishes, it's likely to become a staple in your kitchen.

    decorative side shot of cumin with other spices on small plates in the background
    don't be afraid to play with the quantities of your favorites either

    FAQ

    What is the difference between chorizo and sausage?

    Chorizo is a Spanish or Mexican sausage that is cured or fully cooked and spicy. Regular sausage is typically uncured or uncooked and spiced with different seasonings.

    What are the ingredients in traditional chorizo sausage?

    While the full-range of spices can vary, chorizo is made from pork and typically spiced with a combination of chiles and herbs. 

    What flavors go with chorizo?

    Anything hispanic or latin. Think chiles, sour cream, cheese, beef, pork, chicken, cilantro, onions, tortillas, and more!

    How do you make chorizo from scratch? 

    Brown cured ground pork on your stove in a little bit of water versus oil. Once it's browned, add the chorizo seasoning and splash of apple cider vinegar. Cook until the moisture has evaporated. You can serve as-is, or buy sausage casings to stuff. To stuff, let the meat cool and rinse the casings before using. You can use a funnel, wooden spoon, or your thumb to stuff the casing. Make sure to leave room to tie it off!

    Check out these ways to use your Chorizo Spice Mix

    • a plate of breakfast burritos topped with avocado
      Chorizo Breakfast Burritos | One Pan Recipe
    • instant pot scotch eggs
      Chorizo Scotch Eggs
    • meatballs and broccoli
      Sheet Pan Meatballs with Charred Broccoli
    • coleslaw piled on a pork sandwich with bbq sauce in the background
      Pulled Pork Sandwich with BBQ Sauce and Coleslaw

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    Recipe

    jar of seasoning mix with a mortar and pestle in the background

    Chorizo Seasoning Spice Mix

    If you're trying to eat healthier, I always recommend starting to make homemade versions of your favorite packaged foods. Like this chorizo seasoning mix! Don't buy a packet of taco seasoning when it is simpler and healthier to make your own. Meals don't have to be healthy OR easy! This Mexican chorizo seasoning blend can be made in less than 10 minutes, only involves measuring and stirring, and the recipe yields enough seasoning mix for several meals. Once you see how easy it is to prepare, you'll never go back to the packet seasoning again.
    4.88 from 8 votes
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    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 0 mins
    Course Basics
    Cuisine Mexican
    Servings 1 jar
    Calories 141 kcal

    Equipment

    • Small bowl with airtight lid

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tbsp garlic powder
    • 2 tbsp chili powder
    • 2 tsp smoked paprika
    • 2 tsp sweet paprika
    • 2 tsp salt
    • 2 tsp oregano
    • 1 tsp cumin
    • ½ tsp black pepper

    Instructions
     

    • Combine together and store for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

    NOTES

    Don't have all these ingredients? Check the post for alternative flavor combos and substitutions!
     

    Nutrition

    Calories: 141kcalCarbohydrates: 28gProtein: 7gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 4933mgPotassium: 786mgFiber: 12gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 8783IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 174mgIron: 8mg

    If you make this recipe, be sure to tag @thatzestlife in your photo! I would love to see what you made!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Biana

      April 03, 2021 at 3:28 am

      5 stars
      This spice mix looks amazing! Perfect for some grilled chicken marinade as well.

      Reply
      • Linda Dean

        August 17, 2022 at 4:36 pm

        How much pork is this for per pound?

        Reply
        • Megan

          April 11, 2023 at 8:23 pm

          I usually use 2 tablespoons of seasoning per pound of meat.

          Reply
    2. Beth

      April 03, 2021 at 4:50 am

      5 stars
      I can’t wait to have this on hand! My teens are going to love this! So excited!

      Reply
    3. Allyssa

      April 03, 2021 at 11:18 am

      5 stars
      Love trying new ingredients! Thanks a lot for this bright idea! will surely try it!

      Reply
    4. Julia

      April 03, 2021 at 1:19 pm

      5 stars
      What a great idea making your own chorizo spice mix!

      Reply
    5. Jen

      April 03, 2021 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      You totally saved me! It's nice to be able to make your own especially since I had all the seasonings in my pantry already. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Megan

        April 19, 2021 at 2:21 pm

        That’s the best part about making your own! You never have to make a special trip to the store to get a packet.

        Reply
    6. Brianne

      September 11, 2021 at 11:50 pm

      5 stars
      Was looking for a new twist on tacos. This did the trick. I added it to my ground beef instead of the usual packet of taco seasoning and it was delicious! I will keep this on hand to use a lot in the future. Thank you!

      Reply
    7. Jeffrey Johnson

      September 26, 2021 at 3:31 pm

      What is the ratio of seasoning to meat? .5x for one lb of pork?

      Reply
      • Megan

        September 27, 2021 at 1:18 pm

        My preference is 2 tablespoons per pound of ground meat!

        Reply
    8. Mike

      March 22, 2022 at 3:59 am

      This isn't chorizo seasoning. This is more like a taco seasoning...

      Reply
      • Megan

        April 04, 2022 at 4:06 am

        Technically, chorizo is a spiced pork sausage, and so this is intended to help you create that flavor on your own! Taco seasoning is specifically intended for tacos, while chorizo is the spiced meat itself. They're definitely similar and have different variations.

        Reply
      • Marc North

        February 12, 2023 at 2:56 pm

        4 stars
        I disagree, this is pretty good. I ground up some ancho chilis to substitute into the chili powder, this gives it a very authentic chorizo taste. I added it to a pound of unseasoned pork and allowed it to sit for a day. I need to slightly alter the recipe as I find it a bit too mild probably because using a chili powder instead of ancho is more spicy. Overall the taste is pretty close far superior to others I have tried, a lot of recipes for chorizo want to use cinnamon and coriander, which is not very good, too sweet and too clove tasting.

        Reply
    9. ERICA CHAVEZ

      August 31, 2022 at 8:11 am

      5 stars
      Was more taco than chorizo but still FANTASTIC! To make it taste more "chorizo" - swapp the chili powder for ancho chili powder, add a bay leaf (ground), and ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon of coriander, and a ¼ teaspoon of thyme. SOME say add about ¼ tsp of allspice but I am not a fan. I barely like the TINY bit of cinnamon in anything!!

      Reply
      • Megan

        April 11, 2023 at 8:23 pm

        Love that! I don't like the taste of cinnamon myself so I always leave that out, but I bet this would be delicious!

        Reply

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    Welcome to That Zest Life

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    I am here to help you take recipes that you find anywhere and make them your own and even better. Follow the recipes or read all my suggestions of what you might do to mix them up! Cooking is all about making sure it tastes good to you but it takes practice! Follow along on my journey through healthy and not so healthy eating while I live my zest life.

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