Chorizo is a type of sausage that’s originated from Portugal and Spain. This sausage usually incorporates pork meat and is very versatile. It can be used in spaghetti sauce, add as a topping for pizza, mixed into ground beef, or eaten with crackers. Most will buy a couple of chorizo at a time and will usually have some leftovers. Those that you have left will need to be stored properly or they’ll go bad. Would freezing chorizo be a good option?
Can you freeze chorizo? Yes, you can freeze any chorizo and they freeze quite well. Any chorizo that’s not cured can easily be frozen through a simple process and will stay fresh for up to 12 months. As for cured chorizo, they too can be frozen, but it’s not recommended as they can be stored in the fridge perfectly fine.
Should You Freeze Chorizo?
When it comes to chorizo, it will not last very long. In the refrigerator, it will last for only 1-2 weeks. If the chorizo is cut, it will shorten their shelf life by a week.
In order to keep them fresh longer than 2 weeks, you’ll need to freeze chorizo.
As for cured chorizo, it’s not recommended to freeze them. By freezing it, the cold temperature of the freezer will damage the texture and flavor. Cured chorizo should last up to 90 days in their original packaging if stored in the pantry.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chorizo?
Cooked chorizo is the same as cured chorizo. Therefore, you really don’t need to store it in the freezer. Due to the low moisture content in cooked chorizo, freezing them is not necessary.
Instead, cooked chorizo should be stored in the fridge and it will last indefinitely if it hasn’t be opened yet. If you have already opened the chorizo, the fridge is still an option, but it will last for about 6 months or less.
However, cooked chorizo can still be frozen if you feel you need to. It’s just unnecessary since cooked chorizo will last the same time in the fridge as it would in the freezer.
If you do feel the need to freeze cooked chorizo, you can do so as long as you properly store them.
How To Free Cured Chorizo
Like cooked chorizo, freezing cured chorizo is not recommended. The packaging wills ensure that the cured chorizo will stay fresh for a very long time. If the package is open, you can store cured chorizo in the fridge.
If you do prefer to store cured chorizo in the freezer, follow the simple instructions below:
- In a freezer bag, place the cured chorizo in there.
- Using a cling wrapper or paper towels, wrap the entire freezer bag. Doing so will help preserve the moisture content.
- In a larger freezer bag or airtight container, place the wrapped cured chorizo in it.
- If using a freezer bag, press on the bag to remove as much air from the bag as you can.
- Seal the bag or airtight container and label it with a date.
- Place it into the freezer for storage.
The above steps are the same for cooked chorizo as it’s similar to cured chorizo.
How To Freeze Chorizo?
Fresh chorizo can be stored in the freezer not matter if it’s whole or cut up. Fresh chorizo is similar to freezing other meats like beef and chickens.
Below are the instructions to freeze fresh chorizo:
- In an airtight container or freezer bag, place the fresh chorizo in there.
- If using a freezer bag, press on it to remove any excess air before sealing it.
- Seal the bag or container tight and label them with a date.
- Place it into the freezer.
Freezing fresh chorizo will last for up to a year. However, if the temperature in the freezer fluctuates often, the chorizo will have a shorter shelf life. Also, if the bag or container in which the chorizo is stored is opened a lot, it can shorten their shelf life too.
Therefore, to keep them lasting as long as possible in the freezer, freeze the chorizo in portions. That way, you’ll only need to remove the portion that you need without needing the other chorizo to be exposed to the fluctuating temperatures.
How Long Can You Freeze Chorizo?
Chorizo can last in the freezer for up to 12 months. After that, they are still safe to eat, but the quality of it will deteriorate.
Fresh chorizo is usually very compacted, which will make it resistant to suffering from freezer burn. However, chorizo or any other meat products stored in the freezer will get freezer burn when it’s stored in the freezer for a prolonged time.
Therefore, to get the best quality in flavor and texture, make sure to use the chorizo within 12 months.
How Do You Defrost Chorizo?
Once the chorizo is ready to used in a meal or to cook them, it’s time to defrost them.
For best results, both cured and fresh chorizo should be left in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. By allowing them sufficient time to thaw, it will be less prone to having texture and flavor damage.
However, if you need to use frozen chorizo and can’t wait for them to thaw overnight, you can quickly defrost them by following the instructions below.
- Take the chorizo out of the freezer and place it in a resealable plastic bag.
- Place the bag of chorizo in a bowl or a large container
- Fill the bowl with tap water
- Every 30 minutes, change the water.
- After about 1 hour, the chorizo should thaw and you’re ready to use them.
The above instructions are for fresh chorizo. It’s not recommended to use the method above to defrost cured chorizo, whether it’s whole, sliced, or diced.
Related Questions
Can you freeze sliced chorizo?
Sliced chorizo can be frozen, but it’s not recommended. Since chorizo is sliced, the meat is exposed to the cold. This will be a greater risk of freezer burn to the chorizo.
If you do plan on storing sliced chorizo, it’s best to use them within a month to avoid texture and flavor deteriorating.
Can you freeze dice chorizo?
Yes, you can freeze diced chorizo. Like sliced chorizo, it’s not recommended to freeze them. If you do plan on freezing them, make sure to use it within a month.
To freeze dice chorizo, you will want to flash freeze them first. By doing so, it will prevent the chorizo from clumping together when it’s frozen.
Is the Casing on Fresh Chorizo Edible?
Yes, the casing is edible and can either be left on or removed depending on what you’re planning to use it for. If you plan on frying chorizo like a sausage link, you should leave the casing intact. This will prevent the meat from falling apart when it’s being fried.
On the other hand, if you’re going to use chorizo like ground meat, it’s best to remove the casing first.