10 Plant-Based Chorizo Dishes

Chorizo is a traditional sausage popular in Spain and Mexico.  The two countries have different ways of handling their chorizo, but in general, it is a very spicy sausage often flavored with smoked paprika, which gives it its signature red color, chili peppers, and garlic.

Chorizo is often enjoyed as a breakfast food but can also be found in tacos, burritos, salads, as the ‘meat’ in pasta sauces, and as appetizers.  Once again, the meatless amongst us need not go without that special chorizo flavor.  Not only are there vegan chorizo products on the market, but there are also recipes for making your own chorizo sausages and crumbles.

And, it is with that that we introduce this list of ten OGP recipes that show you how to make your own chorizo and gives you ideas for what to do with it once you have.  Enjoy.

 1.  Homemade Chorizo Crumble

Source: Homemade Chorizo Crumble/One Green Planet

Let’s start with a recipe for Homemade Chorizo Crumble by Dora Stone.  Use this recipe as a jumping-off point for your culinary adventures with vegan chorizo crumbles.  This is a tofu-based recipe with umami notes and lots of delicious spices.  Take your crumbles and pair them up with rice, tacos, or burritos.

2.  Spicy Chorizo

Source:  Spicy Chorizo/One Green Planet

Here we have another great base recipe for Spicy Chorizo by the folks at VBQ: The Ultimate Vegan Barbecue Cookbook.  This sausage can be tossed on the vegan BBQ or used in a number of different dishes calling for chorizo. This sausage is made with wheat gluten and a handful of spices for that perfect flavor.

3.  Chorizo-Spiced Potato Enchiladas

Source:  Chorizo-Spiced Potato Enchiladas/One Green Planet

This recipe for Chorizo-Spiced Potato Enchiladas by Zsu Dever doesn’t actually contain any vegan chorizo.  Rather it takes tenter potatoes and beans and tosses them in a chorizo spice mix.  This way you have all of the chorizo flavored without the meaty texture.  It’s a great idea for those who would struggle with soy or wheat-based vegan ‘meats’.

4.  Black Bean and Chorizo Breakfast Burrito

Source:  Black Bean and Chorizo Breakfast Burrito/One Green Planet

Here is a great opportunity to try out your new skill at making homemade chorizo.  This recipe for Black Bean and Chorizo Breakfast Burrito by Megan Sadd calls for vegan chorizo, which you can now make yourself.  This is a protein-packed breakfast with tofu, black beans, cashews, and chorizo.  This is certainly a hearty and energizing breakfast.

5.  Chorizo Burrito Skillet

Source:  Chorizo Burrito Skillet/One Green Planet

You need to get your hands on some vegan chorizos or make your own if you want to have a go at Stephanie Davies‘ recipe for Chorizo Burrito Skillet.  This is a ‘burritoless’ burrito dish that takes all the yummy ingredients and flavors you often find wrapped up in a flour tortilla.  This is a great one-pot wonder for big families of informal dinner parties.

6.  Chickpea Chorizo Tacos

Source:  Chickpea Chorizo Tacos/One Green Planet

Now let’s make some tacos. Stephanie McKinnie‘s recipe for Chickpea Chorizo Tacos is a super fun and protein-rich option.  The chickpeas themselves are the meat substitute here.  They are crumbled in a food processor then cooked in a skillet with a chorizo-inspired sauce.  Pile all those ingredients in a corn tortilla along with some guac, lettuce, vegan cheese, and off you go.

7.  Tofu Chorizo and Lemon Cauliflower Rice

Source: Tofu Chorizo and Lemon Cauliflower Rice/One Green Planet

With the chewy tofu, crunchy veggies, and light and fluffy cauliflower, this recipe for Tofu Chorizo and Lemon Cauliflower Rice by Natalie Tamara is a winner.  The spiciness of the chorizo balances beautifully with the lemony freshness of the rice.  It’s also another double protein extravaganza with the tofu and chickpeas.

8.  Puff Pastry Stuffed With Chorizo and Peppers

Source: Puff Pastry Stuffed With Chorizo and Peppers/One Green Planet

This Puff Pastry Stuffed With Chorizo and Peppers by Yana Chistyakova would make a great Sunday dinner main dish.  The homemade chorizo here is made from seitan.  The chorizo and veggies are then wrapped in a light, golden, and flaky puff pastry.  This is a real hearty, homecooked dinner.

9.  Mexican Black Bean Chorizo Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Corn Fritters

Source: Mexican Black Bean Chorizo Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Corn Fritters/One Green Planet

There is a lot going on here, but everything ties together beautifully to make these Mexican Black Bean Chorizo Burgers with Cilantro-Lime Corn Fritters by Anna Sue.  You’ll need two hands to handle this double-decker chorizo burger with corn fritters.  Dress your burger with vegan ranch dressing and enjoy the party.

10.  Chorizo, Apple, and Chickpeas With Kale and Cashew Sauce

Source: Chorizo, Apple, and Chickpeas With Kale and Cashew Sauce/One Green Planet

Here we have a Spanish-inspired recipe that can be served as a main dish or used as tapas.  This Chorizo, Apple, and Chickpeas With Kale and Cashew Sauce by the OGP Team has a whole medley of flavors and textures working together to make a beautifully balanced meal.  The spicy chorizo, the cool, tart apples, and the creamy kale and cashew sauce work together to make a wonderfully hearty meal.

Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home!

Reducing your meat intake and eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health, and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Here are some great resources to get you started:

• Weekly Vegan Meal Plans
• Plant-Based Health Resources
• Plant-Based Food & Recipes
• Plant-Based Nutrition Resources
• The Ultimate Guide to Plant-Based Nutrition
• Budget-Friendly Plant-Based Recipes
• High Protein Plant-Based Recipes
• Plant-Based Meal Prep

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