Papas con Chorizo Skillet

Papas con Chorizo is a bold, smoky, and satisfying breakfast skillet recipe. Crispy golden potatoes are tossed with homemade chorizo flavoured with paprika, garlic, and warm spices, then finished with sautéed onions, red bell peppers, and fresh herbs. This hearty breakfast is savoury, slightly spicy, and perfect served straight from the skillet with fried eggs or warm tortillas.

These days, I’m all about protein forward meals. Make ahead Mexican Breakfast Burritos are a perfect customizable grab and go breakfast while Beef Birria Tacos are all about the beef (and cheese). Both fill you up and leave you satisfied until the next mealtime.

Papas con Chorizo

If you are like me, you can’t have protein without carbs, am I right?! Enter the potato, the jewel of South America. So beloved, that it has traveled the world over appearing in many cuisines from Italian gnocchi, to French Pommes Duchesse, Indian Aloo Gobi, and in many Western European countries it’s perogies! I could go on forever…

However, we’re here to talk about the newest Mexican recipe on the blog, Papas con Chorizo. Potatoes with spicy pork sausage are a classic Mexican breakfast. This recipe combines the power of the potato (carbs) with the satisfaction of protein, namely homemade Mexican chorizo.

The chorizo is simply ground pork spiced with flavourful spices like cumin, Mexican oregano, garlic, red wine vinegar, sweet and smoky paprika, and crushed red chili pepper flakes. There’s no need to pack it into sausage casings, though you can if you want to.

Once the potatoes and chorizo are cooked, you can add more vegetables like onions and red bell peppers, even corn. I highly recommend Papas con Chorizo wrapped in a warm tortilla with chopped cilantro and avocado chunks or as a breakfast hash topped with a fried egg, salsa, guacamole, and Mexican crema.

Mexican Chorizo vs. Spanish Chorizo

While they share the same name and a love for paprika and garlic, Mexican and Spanish chorizo are two distinct sausages with unique purposes. The primary difference is how they are prepared: one is fresh and raw, while the other is cured and dried.

Mexican chorizo is essentially a highly seasoned fresh sausage. It is commonly made with ground pork, though beef versions are also popular. Its flavour leans heavily on the heat and earthiness of dried chili peppers and the tang of vinegar. You’ll often taste notes of cumin, oregano, and sometimes coriander.

Spanish chorizo is a cured sausage, similar in texture to pepperoni or salami. The curing process means the meat is preserved, making it shelf-stable and firm. The star of the show is pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika), which gives it a deep red colour and a distinct smokiness. It can be found in dulce (sweet) or picante (spicy) varieties.

Ingredients in Papas con Chorizo

For this recipe you’ll need a pot for boiling the potatoes and a large skillet to fry them and the chorizo in addition to a knife, spatula, mixing bowl, and measuring spoons/cups.

• Ground Pork
• Salt
• Smoked Paprika
• Sweet Paprika
• Red Chili Pepper Flakes
• Cumin
• Oregano
• Black Pepper
• Garlic
• Red Wine Vinegar
• Olive Oil
• Yukon Gold Potatoes
• Onion
• Red Bell Pepper
• Fresh Parsley or Cilantro
• Optional: Fried Eggs or Tortillas

Though Mexican chorizo generally does not contain smoked paprika, I have included it along with the sweet paprika for a hint of smoky flavour. To adjust the spice level, simply increase or decrease the amount of red chili flakes.

Feel free to adjust any seasonings, including the cumin and garlic. Use Mexican oregano if you can find it, however regular oregano will also work in this recipe. Pro tip: Fry a small piece of seasoned sausage meat to test the flavour and adjust seasoning, if needed.

Yukon Gold Potatoes keep their shape well after cooking and add a certain sweetness to the dish. Add your favourite vegetables or simply add onions, red bell pepper and either chopped fresh parsley or cilantro.

How to Make Papas con Chorizo

To make the homemade chorizo, mix the ingredients first and let it rest for 30 minutes. Otherwise use 1 1/2 lbs loose chorizo sausage.

Place potatoes in salted water, bring to a boil. Cook them for 5 to 6 minutes until just barely tender. Drain well. Next, heat a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add chorizo and cook until deeply browned and crispy.

Remove chorizo with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving fat in the pan. Add olive oil if needed. Then, arrange the potatoes in a single layer. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy.

Add chopped onion and bell pepper. Stir until softened. Stir in garlic, smoked paprika, chili flakes, and herbs. Cook for 30 seconds. Return chorizo to the skillet. Toss everything together and cook for 3 minutes more. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve in with optional fried eggs and chopped cilantro, in a bowl or in a warm tortilla.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Make the sausage mixture ahead of time to allow the seasonings to flavour the meat.
• Cut the Yukon gold potatoes into small, uniform cubes (about ½ inch).
• Parboiling the potatoes is key for best results. They will be soft on the inside, but crispy on the outside.
• Cast iron or a thick-bottomed pan works best, as they retain heat, which helps develop that golden crust.

Storing and Reheating Leftovers

Mexican Papas con Chorizo generally stays fresh for 3 to 4 days when stored in the refrigerator. Because the chorizo has a high fat and vinegar content, it holds up slightly better than plain ground meat, but it still follows standard food safety timelines for cooked proteins.

Allow the dish to cool before putting it in the fridge, but don’t leave it at room temperature for more than 2 hours. Store this dish in a glass or high-quality plastic container. The oils in chorizo are highly pigmented and can easily stain porous plastic.

Reheat Papas con Chorizo in a skillet over medium heat.

Hi! I’m Bernice Hill, the heart and soul behind Dish ‘n’ the Kitchen. It is my pleasure to share easy to follow recipes that are delicious, nutritious, and approachable for the whole family.

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