Is Chorizo Gluten Free? (We Have The Answer!)


Is Chorizo Gluten Free

Chorizo is a boldly flavored sausage that originated in Spain and Portugal. Chorizo can be made from many different ingredients but the three main ingredients are pork or beef, smoked paprika, and garlic. The casings are typically made from animal intestines or plastic. They vary in spiciness and other ingredients are sometimes added such as herbs or local spices. There are many types of chorizo available, but the most common ones you will find in the United States are Mexican and Spanish chorizo. Chorizo is versatile and can be pan fried, grilled, baked, braised or put into soups and stews, but is it gluten-free?

Many brands of chorizo are gluten-free. However, some brands contain added ingredients that may be sourced from wheat and may contain gluten. Some great gluten-free and healthier alternatives to Chorizo are Pederson Natural Farms Organic No-Sugar-Added Smoked Sausage, Aidells Cajun Style Andouille Smoked Pork Sausage Links, Teton Waters Ranch Sausage – Hardwood Smoked, and Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo.

In this article, we will look at the nutrition and health information of chorizo. Then we will go over some common brands of chorizo available in stores. And lastly, we will review some healthier and gluten-free alternatives to chorizo. Let’s get started!

Is Chorizo Healthy?

1. High in Calories and Fat

Chorizo is made from fatty cuts of pork or beef which makes it high in calories and fat, as well as saturated fat. A diet high in calories and fat can contribute to obesity. Staying at a healthy weight can reduce your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and other health problems.

2. High in Sodium

While sodium intake is necessary for health, excess sodium intake can have adverse effects on blood vessels, heart, kidneys, and brain. The American Heart Association recommends adults consume no more than 2300mg of sodium a day, with an ideal intake of no more than 1500mg a day. An ounce of chorizo adds a significant amount of sodium, about 350-600mg.

3. Sodium Nitrite

Sodium nitrite is a necessary preservative in processed meats such as salami, bacon, and ham to prevent bacterial growth and spoilage. It also adds flavor and color to meats. However, nitrites in food convert into nitrosamines and have carcinogenic effects and increase cancer risk.

4. Dextrose

Dextrose is a simple sugar that could come from corn or wheat. A lot of chorizo brands state they are gluten-free; however, the addition of dextrose in some chorizo brands makes it questionable whether it is gluten-free unless they specifically state where the dextrose is sourced. This would be an ingredient to look out for if following a gluten-free diet as it could be sourced from wheat.

Popular Chorizo Brands

Dietz & Watson Mini Chorizo

Dietz & Watson chorizo label states it is gluten-free; however, it contains dextrose, which could be sourced from corn or wheat. The label does not state where the dextrose was sourced, so it is something to consider if you follow a gluten-free diet. This chorizo contains natural flavors but does not state where they came from, as well as sodium nitrite.

Ingredients:

  • Pork
  • Salt
  • Less than 2% of the following: Dextrose, Natural Flavorings, Sodium Erythorbate, Sodium Nitrite, Lactic Acid Starter Culture

Nutrition Facts (per 1 ounce 28g):

  • Calories: 100
  • Calories from Fat: 60
  • Total Fat: 7g (11% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g (13% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg (8% DV)
  • Sodium: 350mg (15% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1g
  • Protein: 8g
  • Vitamin A: 6%
  • Iron: 2%

Cacique Pork Chorizo

Cacique pork chorizo is gluten-free and comes in a plastic casing. You would need to remove the casing before consuming. This chorizo also contains sodium nitrite.

Ingredients:

  • Pork Salivary Glands
  • Lymph Nodes and Fat
  • Chorizo Seasoning (Paprika, salt, spices, mustard, garlic powder)
  • Pork
  • Vinegar
  • Soy Grits
  • Sodium Nitrite

Nutrition Facts (per 2.5 ounces 70g):

  • Calories: 190
  • Calories from Fat: 130
  • Total Fat: 15g (22% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 6g (28% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol 110mg (35% DV)
    Sodium: 580mg (24% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 4g (1% DV)
  • Protein: 10g (21% DV)
  • Calcium: 2%
  • Vitamin A: 20%
  • Iron: 9%

Boar’s Head Superiore Chorizo

Boar’s Head chorizo is a gluten-free Spanish style pork sausage that is dry cured. It contains no artificial colors, no caramel color, no MSG, and no added nitrates or nitrites other than those naturally occurring in cultured celery powder and sea salt. It is however very high in sodium per serving.

Ingredients:

  • Pork
  • Salt
  • Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Spices
  • Garlic
  • Sodium Nitrite
  • Lactic Acid Starter Culture
  • Stuffed in collagen (beef) casing
  • Contains pork and its derivatives
  • Free from cereals and their derivatives

Nutrition Facts (per 1 ounce 28g):

  • Calories: 120
  • Total Fat: 10g (15.38% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 3.5g (17.5% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg (8.33% DV)
  • Sodium: 600mg (25% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 0g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Iron: 0.36mg (2% DV)

Johnsonville Ground Chorizo Sausage

Johnsonvilled ground chorizo sausage is dairy-free, has no artificial colors or flavors, no MSG, and no nitrates. However, it does contain BHA. The FDA classifies the preservatives BHA and BHT as generally recognized as safe (GRAS); however, there is scientific evidence that categorizes them as carcinogenic.

It also contains dextrose, which is a simple sugar that could come from corn or wheat. Even though the label states this sausage is gluten-free, the label does not specifically state where the dextrose is sourced from, so I do not know if this sausage would be safe to consume if you have a gluten intolerance.

Another problematic ingredient in this sausage is propyl gallate. It is used as a preservative in this sausage and it protects oils and fats from oxidation. However, it has been reported to be slightly toxic when ingested. Check your labels, be cautious with ingredients, and consider avoiding them when you can.

Ingredients:

  • Pork
  • Water
  • Corn Syrup
  • Chili Pepper
  • Less than 2% of the following: pork broth with natural flavors, salt, dextrose, garlic powder, flavorings, spices, oleoresin of paprika, BHA, propyl gallate, citric acid

Nutrition Facts (per 2 ounces 56g):

  • Calories: 170
  • Calories from Fat: 130
  • Total Fat: 14g (22% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 5g (24% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 35mg (12% DV)
  • Sodium: 400mg (17% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 2g (1% DV)
  • Protein: 8g
  • Vitamin A: 6%
  • Iron: 2%

Healthier Alternatives to Chorizo

Pederson Natural Farms Organic No-Sugar-Added Smoked Sausage

Pederson's Farms, No Sugar Added Starter Pack, Whole30 (5 Items, Use / Freeze) - Uncured Hickory Smoked Bacon, Kielbasa, Italian Sausage, Spicy Sausage & Breakfast Sausage, Made in the US Pederson Natural Farms smoked sausage is organic with no added sugar. It is gluten-free, lactose-free, with no added sweeteners, preservatives, nitrites, nitrates, or MSG. It has a very simple and straight-forward ingredient list.

Ingredients:

  • Humanely Raised Pork
  • Coriander
  • Celery
  • Black Pepper
  • Sea Salt

Nutrition Facts (per 1/8 piece 50g):

  • Calories: 170
  • Calories from Fat: 130
  • Total Fat: 15g (23% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 5g (27% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 35mg (12% DV)
  • Sodium: 320mg (13% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: less than 1g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Total Sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 7g
  • Iron: 2%

Aidells Cajun Style Andouille Smoked Pork Sausage Links

Aidells Cajun Style Andouille Sausage 12 Oz (4 Pack) Aidells pork sausages are smoky with a Cajun spice. They are gluten-free, all natural, with no MSG and no nitrites or nitrates added. No artificial ingredients and pork raised with no added hormones. The ingredients are all recognizable with meat, herbs, and spices.

Ingredients:

  • Pork
  • Water
  • Contains 2% or less of the following: sea salt, garlic, spices (including black pepper, red pepper, and white pepper)
  • Sugar
  • Paprika
  • Celery Powder
  • Dehydrated Onion

Nutrition Facts (per 1 link 85g):

  • Calories: 160
  • Calories from Fat: 100
  • Total Fat: 11g (17% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 4g (20% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 50mg (17% DV)
  • Sodium: 690mg (29% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1g (0% DV)
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 1g
  • Protein: 15g (29% DV)
  • Vitamin A: 4%
  • Iron: 4%

Teton Waters Ranch Sausage – Hardwood Smoked

Teton Waters Ranch beef sausage has a lot of similar flavors to chorizo with paprika and natural smoke flavor. It is gluten-free with no added sugar, and is much lower in calories than regular chorizo. There are no added sugars like dextrose and no nitrites or nitrates added except those naturally occurring in sea salt and celery powder. It is made with 100% grass-fed beef with no hormones and no antibiotics. It is also made with no questionable ingredients.

Ingredients:

  • Grass-fed Beef
  • Water
  • Less than 2% of the following: Sea salt, spices including paprika, vinegar, celery powder, onion powder, natural smoke flavor, cherry powder

Nutrition Facts (per 71g):

  • Calories: 170
  • Total Fat: 14g (22% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 5g (25% DV)
  • Cholesterol: 45mg (15% DV)
  • Sodium: 500mg (21% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 1g
  • Dietary Fiber: 0g
  • Sugars: 0g
  • Protein: 9g

Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo

If you can forgo the meat, Trader Joe’s soy chorizo has all the texture and spicy flavor of chorizo but completely vegan and gluten-free. It requires the removal of the casing before cooking. It is much lower in calories compared to regular chorizo and does not include dextrose, sodium nitrite, or other flavor additives and enhancers.

 Ingredients:

  • Textured Soy Protein
  • Water
  • Soy Oil
  • Distilled Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Spices
  • Red Pepper
  • Garlic

Nutrition Facts (per 70g):

  • Calories: 140
  • Calories from Fat: 90
  • Total Fat: 10g (15% DV)
  • Saturated Fat: 1.5g (7% DV)
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Cholesterol: 0mg
  • Sodium: 700mg (29% DV)
  • Total Carbohydrate: 8g (3% DV)
  • Fiber: 4g (15% DV)
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Vitamin A: 45%
  • Vitamin C: 4%
  • Calcium: 6%
  • Iron: 15%

Related Questions

Is chorizo keto-friendly?

Yes, chorizo is keto-friendly because it is made from meat, herbs, and spices. The carbohydrate content in chorizo is 0-3 grams per serving.

Is chorizo dairy-free?

Yes, chorizo is typically dairy-free, but always check the labels as some chorizo brands might use dairy in production.

Is chorizo paleo-friendly?

Some chorizo can be paleo-friendly if it is made from quality meat, spices, and herbs. What makes chorizo not paleo-friendly is that a lot of them are highly processed with a lot of additives. If you follow a paleo diet, stay away from chorizo that contains soy products, refined sugar, flavor additives, and preservatives.

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Yana Nikitin

Yana is passionate about health and fitness. She strives for whole body health in soul, mind, and body. She is a wife and mom to two little kiddos and one fur baby named Colty. She lives on a farm and loves writing, gardening, and recreating classic recipes to make them healthier.

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