How long does chorizo keep?

RedLass

Good evening lovely forumites.

I bought a lump of chorizo on Sunday because I had seen a recipe for chilli chicken that I intend to cook on Saturday in my shiny new cast iron casserole ::yay:: But I didn't even think at the time that this would mean it will sit in the fridge for nearly a week.

It was a piece off the deli counter - the lady cut it off of a BIG sausage for me. I have never bought it before, in fact I've only ever eaten it at a restaurant. I usually follow the "nose" test but since I've don't really know what to make of it, and being that it just smells sort of spicey, I don't know what the tell tale signs would be if it were past its best/unsafe etc...!

Do you think it would be ok for Saturday? I don't want any upset tummies _pale_

geri1965_2

It will be fine, cured meat lasts for weeks if not months.

sonastin

I usually buy some at the christmas markets every year. The guy that sells them says they'll last in the fridge until about February or even longer in the freezer. I think you'll be fine for a week!

LondonDreamer

The last chorizo ring I bought had at least two months before the use by date, if not three. You'll almost certainly be fine after a week, it's a cured meat so has a much longer life than raw meat does.

seabright

Also, it freezes really well.

mummybearx

Cured meats like chorizo are hung for months to give them their flavour. They will last months in the fridge, months past their 'best by' date

RedLass

Oh, phew, that's good news Thanks all.

I feel a bit silly since you all say it's cured and hung etc, should be obvious I suppose! But you know how it can be with these supermarkets - the little sticker that they seal the bag with gave 3 days to consume :doh:

Going to be making this
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/5891/chilli-chicken-onepot
Although scaled down a bit since there is only two of us...

Probably bought too much chorizo so now I know it will be fine I can look for other recipes to use it in :T

Changingme

You could dice it up and add to pork mince and some bread crumbs to make meatballs as you don't need much,fry meatballs till brown the add red onion,fry a bit more then add tin tomatoes and simmer for 20 mins.

LondonDreamer

RedLass wrote: »

Probably bought too much chorizo so now I know it will be fine I can look for other recipes to use it in :T

This is my favourite chorizo recipe... Nigel Slater's Sausage and Bean Soup - I halve the recipe and still get 4 good portions when served with mash.

Going to try a chorizo pasta bake (similar to either this one or this one - haven't decided) this week. But using a mix of breadcrumbs and a small amount of cheese for the top, instead of just cheese.

RedLass

Mmmmm these all sound yummy, I've added bookmarks for the links and a note on my recipe file for the meatballs. Think I'll put it in the freezer until I decide what to do next.

What do you tend to eat meatballs with? Traditionally I suppose with spaghetti but I don't have much patience for all that fork twirling!

The chilli chicken is in the oven right now, and it smells fab. Ended up making more than double the amount I expected though (even after halving the recipe) so will likely be seconds in the week if it's good.

bobthedambuilder

zepsgal wrote: »

Cured meats like chorizo are hung for months to give them their flavour. They will last months in the fridge, months past their 'best by' date

I thought that as well, but having bought the presliced and packaged variety from one of the big supermarkets , and having kept it in the fridge, it was going mouldy well before its use-by date.

Maybe it's different for a solid sausage.