Can You Freeze Cured Chorizo Sausage?
Whether you’ve bought a whole Spanish chorizo, a packet of deli slices or made your own at home, you may be wondering if it can be frozen.
The good news is that yes, you can freeze chorizo, and it freezes exceptionally well. In fact, because cured chorizo already has such a low moisture content, freezing has very little impact on its flavour or texture.
I usually keep a chorizo sausage in the fridge because it’s so useful for adding to pasta dishes, soups and stews. But if I know I won’t finish it in time, I’ll slice it up and freeze it in small portions so I can grab exactly what I need later.
Which Type Of Chorizo Are You Freezing?
Before freezing, it’s worth knowing which type of chorizo you’ve got, as they’re not all the same.
- Spanish cured chorizo has been air-dried and is ready to eat. This is the type I freeze most often.
- Fresh Mexican chorizo is raw rather than cured, so it must be cooked before eating.
- Packet or deli slices can also be frozen and are handy for pizzas, sandwiches and tapas boards.
If your packet includes cooking instructions, it’s usually fresh rather than cured.
Do You Need To Freeze Chorizo?
Not always.
One of the benefits of cured meats is that they naturally last much longer than fresh meat.
An unopened vacuum-packed cured chorizo can often keep for several months in the fridge (or even at room temperature if the manufacturer states it’s shelf stable). Once opened, however, it’s best used within a couple of weeks.
If you don’t think you’ll finish it before then, freezing is a great way to avoid food waste.
Can You Freeze Cured Chorizo Sausage?
Yes.
Cured chorizo freezes extremely well and can be frozen whole, in chunks or sliced.
Once thawed, I honestly don’t notice much difference in either the flavour or texture. That’s one reason I always keep a few slices in the freezer—they’re perfect for throwing into pasta sauces, omelettes or homemade pizzas.
Can You Freeze Cooked Chorizo?
Yes.
Whether you’ve cooked chorizo on its own or as part of another dish, it can be frozen once it’s cooled completely.
Cooked chorizo is also a great option if the raw product had previously been frozen, as cooking resets the freezing cycle.
Can You Freeze Fresh Chorizo?
Yes.
Fresh Mexican-style chorizo can be frozen exactly like ordinary sausages.
It can be frozen either raw or after cooking.
Can You Freeze Homemade Chorizo?
Yes.
My husband and I recently made homemade chorizo using a sausage-making kit and ended up with far more than we could eat in one week.
The instructions that came with the kit actually recommended freezing any sausages that wouldn’t be used within seven days, and they thawed and cooked perfectly afterwards.
If you’re making homemade chorizo in batches, freezing is definitely worthwhile.
Can You Freeze Mexican Chorizo?
Yes.
Unlike Spanish chorizo, Mexican chorizo isn’t cured, so it should always be cooked before eating.
It freezes very well both before and after cooking.
Can You Freeze Chorizo Slices?
Absolutely.
Whether you’ve sliced a whole chorizo sausage yourself or bought one of the thin pre-sliced packs from the supermarket, chorizo slices freeze really well.
This is actually my preferred way to freeze cured chorizo. By freezing the slices individually (or flash freezing them first if they stick together), I can take out exactly what I need without having to defrost the whole lot.
The thin supermarket slices are particularly handy to freeze once opened, as they can spoil quite quickly in the fridge. Frozen slices can be added straight to pizzas, pasta dishes, soups, stews and even air fryer recipes, making them a really convenient freezer staple.
How To Freeze Chorizo
Freezing chorizo is quick and easy.
If you’re freezing a whole unopened packet of sliced chorizo, simply place it straight into the freezer.
If you’ve already opened a whole sausage, I recommend slicing it first.
- Slice the chorizo into rounds or leave it in chunks if preferred.
- Arrange the slices on a baking tray lined with baking paper so they aren’t touching.
- Freeze for around an hour until firm.
- Transfer the frozen slices to a freezer bag or airtight container.
- Remove as much air as possible.
- Label with the contents and freezing date before returning them to the freezer.
Flash freezing first stops the slices sticking together, making it much easier to remove only what you need.
How Long Can You Freeze Chorizo?
Chorizo keeps its best quality for around six months in the freezer.
It’s usually still perfectly safe after this, but you may notice a gradual decline in flavour or the appearance of freezer burn if it wasn’t wrapped well.
How To Defrost Chorizo
The safest way to thaw chorizo is overnight in the fridge.
If you’ve frozen slices individually, they’ll usually thaw within a couple of hours.
Cured chorizo can often be added straight into hot dishes from frozen, saving even more time.
Can You Refreeze Chorizo?
Generally, no.
Like most meats, chorizo shouldn’t routinely be frozen more than once.
However, there is one exception.
If you froze fresh Mexican chorizo while it was raw, then later defrosted it safely in the fridge and cooked it, the cooked chorizo can be frozen again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze Vacuum-Packed Chorizo?
Yes.
An unopened vacuum-packed chorizo can be frozen in its original packaging.
Can You Freeze Opened Chorizo?
Yes.
Once opened, wrap it well or transfer it to an airtight freezer container before freezing.
Can You Freeze Spanish Chorizo?
Yes.
Spanish cured chorizo is probably the easiest type of chorizo to freeze because its low moisture content means the texture changes very little after thawing.
Can You Freeze Chorizo For Paella?
Yes.
I often freeze sliced chorizo specifically for dishes like paella, jambalaya and pasta. Having small portions already prepared makes weeknight cooking much quicker.
Can You Freeze Chorizo In A Recipe?
Yes.
Chorizo freezes well in dishes such as casseroles, stews, pasta sauces and soups, provided the other ingredients are also suitable for freezing.
Related Freezing Guides
If you’re freezing chorizo, you might also find these guides helpful.
Freezing Cured Meats
Freezing Cooked Meats
Freezing Ingredients
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