Authentic Mexican food lovers know that Chorizo is a popular meat, but when is chorizo done and how can you tell? This meat is similar to Spanish Chorizo only by name. They are very different meats and go through completely different processing methods.
Throughout this article, you will learn about chorizo and how to use it. The most important thing you will learn though is how to tell when chorizo is fully cooked.
What Is Chorizo Meat?
Chorizo meat is pork meat that undergoes unique processes. In other words, the pork is highly seasoned and chopped up thinly before it is molded into a sausage or ground meat. This pork is tasty, full of strong flavors, and typically served raw.
The idea of Chorizo meat can be confusing because there are two versions. In Spanish, Chorizo is a smoked sausage with heavy seasons like paprika and oregano. The meat is a vibrant red and cooked for breakfast. However, the Mexican Chorizo is raw meat that is seasoned with vinegar and chili pepper spices. It is not a deep red and can be cooked in soups, stews, beans, meat dishes, and for breakfast with a side of eggs.
How To Cook Chorizo Meat
You have to be really careful whenever you cook meat in general. If you are not careful enough there are dire consequences and you can make yourself sick. You should always buy meat and produce from sellers you trust that cut, process, and package meat cleanly.
After carefully selecting the meat, you can use a clean cutting board and knife. It is important that you don’t use a knife that has not been washed. Even if you used your knife for things like lettuce, you can cross-contaminate foods if there are any bacteria.
If you are using the stovetop, you should use a small amount of olive oil to lightly oil the pan. This way, the meat does not stick to the bottom of the pan and burn. Once the pan is warm, you can add the meat and cook for approximately five minutes on each side. However, the cooking time depends on the style of the meat and the intensity of your oven.
The only way to know if your meat is fully cooked properly is by taking the internal temperature. There are various options out there, but I recommend purchasing a cooking thermometer. Digital thermometers are quicker and easier to use. Place the ‘needle’ to measure the internal temperature. The temperature should be at a minimum of 160 degrees.
While you can decide when the meat is done based on the texture, the only way to safely know if your Chorizo is done is when the temperature is above 160 degrees. If you look at your meat though, and it has a soft or rubbery texture, it is most likely not done. The pork should be firm and slightly brown.
The Consequences of Uncooked Chorizo
There are a lot of consequences that can happen because of uncooked meat. You should never eat meat raw. There is a lot of bacteria and parasites that live on meat, especially on pork. The most common bacteria that is found on raw pork meat is:
- Salmonella
- Staph
- Listeria
- E-Coli
If you consume any of these bacteria’, you can fall very sick! The thing about bacteria is that it typically die when exposed to heat. This is why each type of meat has a ‘safe’ internal temperature where bacteria cannot survive. Uncooked Chorizo can lead to awful symptoms and worsening health conditions. The most common symptoms of eating improperly cooked meat are:
- Vomiting
- Exhaustion
- Loss of Appetite
- Fever
- Chills
If you notice any of these symptoms, you should go to the doctor. It is also possible to get food poisoning from uncooked pork.
How Do You Know When Chorizo Is Done?
There are only a few ways to know when Chorizo is fully cooked. This is based on the meat’s texture, color, and internal temperature. Since the only way to kill bacteria permanently is to use high amounts of heat through cooking, the internal temperature should be about 160 degrees Fahrenheit. The only way to know for sure is to use a food thermometer. This is the safest option.
You can also go off of the Chorizo’s texture and color. Since the outside cooks faster, always pinch or cut the middle of the Chorizo. This is easier to notice when you are cooking ground Chorizo meat as the pieces are thin and cook quicker. It takes longer to properly cook a Chorizo sausage, especially if the sausage is thick. The texture should be solid and firm. If you see that it is squishy and slightly pink, the meat is most likely not done.
It is important to keep in mind that while the Chorizo may appear to be ready, the only way to know is by checking the temperature.
What Dishes Use Chorizo?
Although Chorizo is known for being a delicious breakfast item combined with eggs, there are hundreds of dishes that use this delicious type of meat. A few authentic Mexican dishes that utilize Chorizo are: tacos, enchiladas, and chilis.
The best part of using Chorizo in your dishes is that there are so many forms! Although it is most commonly served as ground meat, there are sausage links and patties. This makes it easy to use in various dishes as a substitute!
Conclusion
What do you think of this article? Have you learned anything new about authentic Mexican Chorizo? If you have, please share it with your friends and family! This meat is raw pork that is usually served as ground meat, great to use on-street tacos and inside of enchiladas!
The hardest part about using Chorizo though is cooking it. If the meat is not cooked properly, it can cause a lot of health issues and painful symptoms. The best way to tell if your meat is fully cooked is by using a thermometer to check the internal temperature.
