chorizo

noun

cho·​ri·​zo chə-ˈrē-(ˌ)zō 

-(ˌ)sō

plural chorizos

: a seasoned, coarsely ground, pork sausage

a

: a spicy or sweet ground pork sausage that is seasoned especially with smoked paprika, is used chiefly in Spanish cooking, and is typically sold dried and cured in casings

b

: a spicy ground pork sausage that is seasoned with chili powder and other spices (such as cumin or garlic), is used chiefly in Mexican cooking, and is typically sold uncooked either loose or in casings

Examples of chorizo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dishes like chorizo and sweet plantain empanadillas, pork belly salad with watermelon, mango, and Puerto Rican cheese, and fried whole red snapper with cilantro chimichurri honor the traditions and tastes of the tropical island. —Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 5 Dec. 2025

Sausages splashed with mustard and chimichurri sauce are the savory makings of this classic Argentinean mouthful whose name is a mash-up of chorizo (sausage) and pan (bread). —Terry Ward, CNN Money, 15 Nov. 2025

The restaurant violated 21 standards, including improper food storage temperatures and mold found on raw chorizo. —Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 31 Oct. 2025

Several foods were outside of proper holding temperatures, including carnitas, taquitos, pork tamales and potatoes and chorizo. —Sacbee.com, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chorizo

• carrizo
• mestizo