Chorizo is a delicious, spicy pork sausage.
It can be eaten alone or used in tacos, burritos, and many other dishes.
There are many different types of chorizo, including Mexican chorizo, which can be found at most grocery stores or butcher shops.
One common question that people have about chorizo is how long does it last? This article will answer this question and provide some tips for how to store your chorizo too.
What is Chorizo?
Chorizo is a spicy pork sausage used in many different dishes, often as an ingredient.
The word comes from the Spanish word meaning “salted,” and it is usually spiced with paprika.
Chorizo can be eaten on its own, fried for a few minutes, or cooked in tomato sauce to make spaghetti alla chitarra (spaghetti with spicy sausage).
Chorizo is a spicy cured sausage typically made from pork, but sometimes chicken or beef.
The meat is ground up mixed with cumin, garlic powder, black pepper, and coriander seed before being smoked.
It will typically have a natural casing, but sometimes the case is removed.
The chorizo meat varies by country; in Spain, chorizos are made primarily of pork, whereas chicken or beef may be more common elsewhere.
Some Mexican varieties contain both pigskin and beef.
Some regions of Spain, such as Asturias and Castile-Leon, also make “white” chorizo from an emulsion of fat (usual pork) and finely minced lean meat with or without added breadcrumbs.
How to Store Chorizo?
Every culture has its way of preparing chorizo, but to make sure it lasts long and can be eaten as needed, there are some ways you can store it.
Most Mexican chorizo is dried and cured, so it can be stored in any cool, dry place to keep for a few weeks.
The best way to store chorizo is in the refrigerator and make sure that no air spaces surround the meat.
If you want to freeze your chorizo, wrapping them tightly is recommended for a longer-lasting product.
Some other preservatives are available at stores, such as vinegar or saltwater brine, if storing on ice isn’t an option near where you live.
These methods will let your sausage last much longer without refrigeration than just leaving them out on a countertop would allow.
Listeria grows inside food products like raw meats and can cause a life-threatening illness.
A precautionary measure is always to ensure that your chorizo stays at 40 degrees or below, which will help slow the growth of bacteria like listeria.
It’s also important not to store any raw meats near ready-to-eat foods in one refrigerator either so that you don’t take on more hazardous food pathogens.
How Long Does Chorizo Last? Does Chorizo Go Bad?
If you are a die-hard chorizo fan, then the chances are that you have found yourself asking questions such as “How long does chorizo last?” or even more specifically, “How long does chorizo last in the refrigerator?”.
Since most people do not consume this food daily, it is essential to know how long you can leave your meat out without throwing it away.
If left unrefrigerated for too long, the chorizo will become dry and tough and lose its flavor.
If you are unsure as to when or where your meat was made, then there may be spoilage concerns about bacteria growth that could cause illness if eaten raw.
It is recommended that one should eat their chorizo within three days of buying it unless they plan on heating it before consuming it.
Leftovers of any food should ideally be reheated until steaming hot before eating.
Chorizo should be stored in the refrigerator as soon as possible after purchase or preparation.
This will ensure that it is fresh and ready to eat before its expiration date.
Properly stored, fresh chorizo will last up to 7 days in the fridge.
The shelf life of cooked chorizo is greatly diminished, as it will become dry and tough and lose its flavor.
It is not recommended for cooked chorizo to be stored for more than five days in the refrigerator unless heated up thoroughly before consuming.
Cooked chorizo must always be refrigerated once cooled down because they cannot maintain quality over time without being chilled first.
How to Tell if Chorizo is Bad?
Since chorizo is a fresh meat product, it can spoil if not stored properly and consumed before its expiration date.
There are many ways to tell that their chorizo has gone bad such as when it begins to dry out or develops an odd smell.
The best way for someone to test the quality of their chorizos would be by touching them with their hands because they will know how mushy or stiff they feel under the touch.
If there’s any liquid in the wrapping, then this may also indicate signs of contamination which should be removed from the food immediately.
The color change on your packaging could also provide insight into whether or not you’re dealing with spoiled ingredients, so keep in mind what colors should look like usually and then compare them to your chorizos.
If it looks different, either darker or lighter than standard colors for this type of food, this is a warning sign, and you should not consume the product.
Conclusion
In the summer, chorizo is excellent as a picnic food because of its low maintenance and high taste.
But in the winter months, refrigerate your leftovers from last night’s dinner party or weekend barbecue.
Chorizo can go bad quickly if not kept cold.
Luckily for those who love their Mexican flavor any time of year, there are ways to keep that spicy taste around all year long.
The best way to store chorizo for a longer time is in the freezer.
How Long Does Chorizo Last? Does Chorizo Go Bad?
Ingredients
- Chorizo sausage
- Air-tight containers or Ziplock bags
- Labels and markers
Instructions
- Read the guide thoroughly to learn how long it lasts.
- Label your container with the content and date and keep track of how much you’re using!
- Make sure to store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place (pantry or fridge).
About The Author
