Here’s an easy Chorizo Spice Blend that’s totally tasty and pretty close to authentic. It’s simple to make with a few spices that are commonly available. The ancho chili spice might be more difficult to locate but is easily found online. If you use bargain spices where possible, as I do, it’s also really economical.
Easy Chorizo Spice Blend is Tasty!
I love the spicy blend of chilis. It’s perfect in Vegan Chorizo Burgers! The heat can be adjusted for your personal taste by adding more or less cayenne. Traditionally, these spices are used to season and disguise the flavor of actual sausage, i.e. “chorizo.” But they’re also a delicious way to add spice and flavor to plant-based dishes.
Like this recipe? Please PIN IT to SHARE or SAVE for later!
The main chili is ancho chili. As mentioned above, this is one that can sometimes be difficult to find in local groceries. Mine did not have it and I wasn’t planning to be anywhere else so ordered it from Amazon. It was here the next day. How is that even possible? I’m also on the lookout for better places to order from. Smaller companies. Anyway, I won’t go off on a tangent … ancho chili is mild as far as heat but has some nice flavor. It’s the ripened and dried version of poblano chilis.
Paprika also supplies a lot of both the flavor and color here. Cayenne is the heat!
And that’s really all there is to it. Just grind the spices together. I’ve got my spice grinder packed for when we move and so I used the mortar and pestle. I should have packed the mortar and pestle and kept the spice grinder out! Whatever you use, just smash up the big stuff into littler stuff and stir it all together.
Easy Chorizo Spice Blend
Easy Chorizo Spice Blend that's totally tasty and pretty close to authentic. It's simple to make with a few spices that are commonly available.
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons ancho chili powder
- 4 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 large bay leaf or two small, broken into small pieces
- 1 teaspoon cayenne more or less as desired
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon coriander
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
-
Crush the bay leaf and coriander using a mortar and pestle and then add the remaining spices and stir together until evenly distributed.
-
Alternatively, place all ingredients into a spice grinder or small bullet-type blender and pulse a few times until the larger pieces are broken up and all the spices are evenly distributed.
-
Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.
XO Lisa
Want more vegan burgers? Try these!
Hello! I’m Lisa, a vegan artist, photographer, author, Vegan Life Coach Educator, and RYT 200 yoga teacher. I love showing others how simple and delicious a plant-based diet can be. I draw and paint, cook, write, take lots of pics, eat lots of chocolate, and practice gratitude daily.
I know that you prefer vegan…but for us carnivores…how much spice mix to how much meat for one batch of chorizo sausage
I do prefer vegan! For any kind of meat, plant-based or not, I start with 3 tablespoons per pound (approximately). Of course, how much is ideal for you is going to depend on a lot of things … from the strength of the spices to your personal tastes. But 3 tablespoons per pound is a good place to start. Let me know how that works out!
How much do you use per pound if meat?
Hi Anita, I start with 3 tablespoons of the chorizo spice blend per pound of any meat (plant-based or not). How much is ideal for you is going to depend on a lot of things … from the strength of your spices to your personal tastes. But 3 tablespoons per pound is a good place to start. Let me know how that works out!