Easy Crispy Cheesy Chorizo Taco Recipe
Chorizo street tacos are the most simple and delicious tacos packed with spicy flavor from chorizo, smokey flavor from cumin and paprika, and fresh toppings to complete the dish.
Here’s your summer dinner recipe to try tonight…Homemade chorizo tacos! If you’re craving a flavorful and satisfying meal that’s perfect for Taco Tuesday or any day of the week, this is it. This Mexican-inspired recipe is bursting with bold flavors and fresh ingredients, guaranteed to elevate your taco game. So grab a cast iron skillet if you want to make a quick and simple meal that’s filled with tons of flavor!
Chorizo: A Versatile Mexican Sausage
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about chorizo. This spicy and flavorful sausage is a staple in Mexican cuisine and comes in two main varieties: Spanish chorizo and Mexican chorizo. Spanish chorizo is typically cured and ready to eat, while Mexican chorizo is raw and needs to be cooked before consuming. For this recipe, we’ll be using fresh Mexican chorizo, which is made with ground pork and readily available at most grocery stores in the United States.
Ingredients You’ll Need to make my chorizo taco recipe:
For the Chorizo Filling:
- 1 pound fresh Mexican chorizo sausage, casings removed or bulk ground chorizo would work well too like the kind that comes in the tube.
- 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Shredded Mexican cheese
- Corn Tortillas
For Serving:
- Small corn or flour tortillas, warmed
- Your favorite toppings for tacos (shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, fresh guacamole, salsa verde, etc.)
- Lime wedges for serving – a little squeeze of fresh lime juice adds a wonderful fresh flavor to any taco
- Diced raw onion – red or white onion is fine
- Queso Fresco or cotija cheese
- Fresh cilantro
Now that we have our ingredients ready, let’s dive into the cooking process.
Step 1: Cooking the Chorizo Filling
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of avocado oil. Once the skillet is hot, add the diced red onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the fresh Mexican chorizo sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook the chorizo until it’s golden brown and crispy, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking, about 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cooked chorizo with ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Allow the spices to toast for an additional minute, infusing the chorizo with even more flavor.
- Once the chorizo is fully cooked and seasoned, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside. The flavorful chorizo filling is now ready to be assembled into tacos.
Step 2: Assembling the Chorizo Street Tacos
- Add a tablespoon of oil to the pan. We usually use avocado oil but any oil would work here. Warm the corn or flour tortillas in the skillet until they are soft and pliable.
- Top half of the tortilla with the shredded cheese and spoon a generous amount of the cooked chorizo filling onto each of the warm tortillas, spreading it out evenly.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook on each side until they are golden brown. You can add a little more oil to the pan if you need it. Once each side is golden, remove from the heat.
- Serve the assembled chorizo street tacos immediately, accompanied by extra lime wedges for squeezing and your favorite salsa for dipping. These tacos are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
- You can customize your tacos with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and sliced radishes. Additional toppings such as diced onions, sliced jalapeños, or pickled red onions for added flavor and crunch. We also like to serve ours with sour cream, avocado, or a cilantro lime crema.
Step 3: Serving and Enjoying
Serve the assembled chorizo street tacos immediately, accompanied by extra lime wedges for squeezing and your favorite salsa for dipping. These tacos are best enjoyed fresh and hot, with each bite delivering a delicious combination of flavors and textures.
Tips for Success:
- For a spicier kick, you can use spicy chorizo sausage or add a pinch of chili powder or chipotle peppers to the chorizo filling.
- Customize your tacos with additional toppings such as diced onions, sliced jalapeños, or pickled red onions for added flavor and crunch. We also like to serve ours with sour cream or a cilantro lime crema.
- If you’re short on time, you can prepare the chorizo filling in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. Simply reheat the filling before assembling the tacos for a quick and easy meal.
Side Dish Ideas for Mexican Chorizo Tacos
- Black Beans
- Street Corn Salad
- Shredded lettuce and tomatoes
- Refried Beans
- Mexican or Spanish Rice – cilantro lime rice would be great too!
- Fresh fruit – watermelon, mango, pineapple
- Coleslaw with cilantro and lime
With simple ingredients, easy preparation, and so much flavor packed into each bite, these chorizo street tacos are guaranteed to become a staple in your meal rotation. Whether you’re enjoying them at home with your family or serving them up for a crowd at your next gathering, these tacos are sure to be a hit. So don’t wait! Head to your kitchen, gather your ingredients, and get ready to enjoy this chorizo tacos recipe!
Printable Recipe Card
Easy Crispy Cheesy Chorizo Street Taco Recipe
Ingredients
- 9 oz mexican chorizo I use the kind that comes in a tube, like Cacique.
- 1/2 small red onion finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 3/4 cup Shredded Mexican cheese
- 6-8 taco-sized Corn tortillas
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a splash of olive oil. Once the skillet is hot, add the diced red onion and minced garlic, and cook until softened and fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the fresh Mexican chorizo sausage to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Cook the chorizo until it’s golden brown and crispy, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking, about 4-5 minutes.
- Sprinkle the cooked chorizo with ground cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, stirring to combine. Allow the spices to toast for an additional minute, infusing the chorizo with even more flavor.
- Once the chorizo is fully cooked and seasoned, remove the skillet from the heat and set it aside. The flavorful chorizo filling is now ready to be assembled into tacos.
Assembling the Chorizo Street Tacos
- Add a tablespoon of oil to the pan. We usually use avocado oil but any oil would work here. Warm the corn or flour tortillas in the skillet until they are soft and pliable.
- Top half of the tortilla with the shredded cheese and spoon a generous amount of the cooked chorizo filling onto each of the warm tortillas, spreading it out evenly.
- Fold the tortilla in half and cook on each side until they are golden brown. You can add a little more oil to the pan if you need it. Once each side is golden, remove from the heat.
- Serve the assembled chorizo street tacos immediately, accompanied by extra lime wedges for squeezing and your favorite salsa for dipping. These tacos are best enjoyed fresh and hot.
- You can customize your tacos with your favorite taco toppings, such as shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, chopped cilantro, crumbled queso fresco, and sliced radishes. Additional toppings such as diced onions, sliced jalapeños, or pickled red onions for added flavor and crunch. We also like to serve ours with sour cream, avocado, or a cilantro lime crema.