This is the traditional Choripan from Argentina, a chorizo sandwich made with pork and beef sausage. It's usually eaten plain, just crusty French bread and grilled chorizo, but it's amazing with authentic chimichurri and sometimes our creole salsa. It's a sandwich you must try!
The ultimate street food
Street food is messy and flavorful, and that’s the best part, don't you agree? These chorizo sandwiches fit right into that description.
Though adding chimichurri and maybe salsa criolla (similar to pico de Gallo salsa) is wonderful, choripanes (plural) are often eaten plain. Just grab the bread, add the butterflied grilled chorizo and take a bite! You won't regret it.
What is a choripan?
Choripan is a traditional chorizo sandwich from Argentina, where I'm from. It's one of the most representative street foods here, a national passion, and the appetizer before the meat at almost every barbecue.
Pan means bread in Spanish, and chori is the abbreviation of chorizo. Our slang word for choripan is chori.
The chorizo (our version of sausage) fits perfectly in our medium French bread rolls, one of the most common breads here.
Type of chorizo used
The traditional Argentinian chorizo used for these sandwiches are sausages with a high percentage of pork meat.
Though some people still like sausages with mostly ground pork, nowadays, many of us prefer to buy sausages with up to 60-70% cow meat since an all-pork sausage would be too heavy due to its high-fat content.
The chorizos are fresh, thick and not too long. They are grilled fresh, not smoked or left to dry. Don't be confused by those from Spain or other kinds; they're completely different and don't work for this sandwich.
Outside grill or indoor skillet?
Chorizos are an outdoor barbecue type of food here, but they can be cooked inside, on a regular or cast iron skillet.
They do create an interesting amount of smoke. So be warned!
Butterfly chorizo is the name given to the sausage that is cut in half lengthwise towards the end, and cooked a little further, opened side down, to create a thin crust.
This is the best way to eat a choripan in my opinion, because it's easier to bite into it and has more charred bits (the best part!).
How to serve a choripan
Plain sandwich: yes, this is the most common way. Cut open the bread, place the butterflied chorizo on one half, top with the remaining bread and bite into it. The skin is crisp, the inside is salty and delicious, with the bread sopping up the juices!
You can add chimichurri or salsa criolla. They embellish the sandwich without detracting from its unique flavor. And that's it. Don't even think of mayonnaise, ketchup, or other condiments. It's a no-no!
Chimichurri sauce
Chimichurri is our most authentic sauce for barbecued meats, and when it comes to chorizo sandwiches, it's fair to say that it's a must. An either-or situation.
You use a bit of chimichurri or nothing at all.
Salsa criolla
This is our signature salsa with onion, tomatoes, parsley and bell peppers. It's fresh and quick to assemble.
Criolla means creole in Spanish. I used red onion because it's colorful, but it's usually made with yellow onions.
As I mentioned in this butter steak post, we seldom use rubs, marinades, or basting sauces while barbecuing meat. Only medium-coarse salt (barbecuing salt) and sometimes pepper. Maybe a touch of lemon for pork cuts or sweetbreads, but that's it.
The amount of heat and time renders its natural fats, making the meat incredibly delicious. The same goes for chorizos and sausages.
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Authentic Choripan Recipe (Chorizo Sandwich)
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Ingredients
For the sandwiches:
- 6 chorizos
- 6 French bread buns, or cut a large baguette
- Salsa criolla, optional (recipe below)
- Chimichurri sauce, optional
For the salsa:
- ½ large red or yellow onion, diced
- 1 large tomato, seeded and diced
- ¼ red pepper, deveined, seeded and finely diced
- ½ cup fresh parsley, loosely packed, chopped
- 3-4 tablespoons of oil
- 1 tablespoon of red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Black pepper, a few fresh grindings
Instructions
For the sandwiches:
- Grill the chorizos in the grill, either outside or inside. I sometimes use a small electric oven. If they start to sputter, prick them a few times with a fork to release the fat.
- If using the stove grill or oven, it should take at least 20 minutes at a medium heat. Let it cook thoroughly, you don’t want raw chorizo. Open it, butterfly style, and sear it for a few minutes. You can also leave them whole, but I like it to be charred as much as possible, that's why I butterfly it.
- I like to warm the bread, either by popping them a few minutes in the oven or on the grill, but it’s not really necessary if you like the bread and it’s very fresh.
- Open the bread in two, add some salsa, put half or the whole butterflied chorizo on top (depending on the size of the bread), some chimichurri and more salsa.
- Top with the remaining bread.
For the salsa criolla:
- Put the diced onion, tomato and red pepper in a bowl.
- Add vinegar, salt, olive oil and black pepper to taste, adjusting it to your palate.
- Add chopped parsley. Mix well.
Earl C Williams says
Paula, I want to understand the Argentinian culture better and this would be a great introduction. Will let you know how it tastes when I can gather the ingredients. Not so easy in these times.
Earl Williams
Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA
Paula Montenegro says
It's a lot about meat and alfajores (sweet cookies filled with dulce de leche)! Thanks for the comment Earl!
Tara says
This sandwich was absolutely delicious! I love the combination of flavors. So fresh.
Renee says
Okay, that's it Paula. You are going to have to pack up and move to Atlanta. You have to be my neighbor. I want to be one of the lucky people on this earth that gets to enjoy your incredible creations. Wow.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
This is right up my alley. Love chorizo and I love anything between two slices of bread. The flavors look outstanding and street food- well, the smell alone has my mouth watering!
Cocoa and Lavender says
I love street food - no matter where I go. Anthony Bourdain had it right when he spoke of street food: "My body isn't a temple, it is an amusement park - enjoy the ride!" ~ David
Megan Wood says
GAH! As many times as I have had chorizo, I have never had it grilled!! I must go to the store right now to stock up on some more. And Chimichurri?? My fiance may pass out when he sees this!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I love the colors in this salsa. It's so simple, but I bet the flavors are amazing.
saucygander says
This takes me back our trip to Argentina, our favourite lunch was choripan! Love your photos, so much colour and light!
Anne ~ Uni Homemaker says
I love street food! Yes, the messier and flavorful the better! This looks amazing Paula. I love the idea of adding chimichurri here. Delicious!
kumars kitchen says
such a flavorful combination for these scrumptious sandwiches,salsa looks beautiful and adds a delicious crunch,terrific recipe 🙂
Sarah | The Sugar Hit says
I am so down for a choripan! This is the first I've ever heard of them, but they are SO up my alley. Gimme!
Bam's Kitchen says
The messier the sandwich the better I always say. Great little street food in your own home. Love the colorful salsa.
Karen @ Lemon Grove Cake Diaries says
Fantastic sandwich - I am getting hungry already and I just had my breakfast 🙂 I worked in gastronomy business for a while, it was all early mornings, late nights and weekend work. The day I was rostered on Christmas Day I left...it was fun to do it once but sometimes family and friends do have to come first.
Monet says
This is just gorgeous...especially with that salsa. So bright and flavorful. I love street food (and yes, messy is best!) Thank you for sharing! I'm hosting a giveaway on my blog tomorrow for one of Ryan's necklaces, and I'd love for you to stop by! I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!
Lori @ Foxes Love Lemons says
Um, so ....when you start your own food truck, selling only these sandwiches, will you drive up here to Detroit? Because every bit of the messiness of this sandwich would be worth it, 100%. My mouth is watering. Love it.
Mary Callan says
Messy but OH SO GOOD!
Mary x
Martin D says
OMG Paula..I so want this! Drooling! Thanks for sharing!
Guru Uru says
Um now I need a sandwich at 6:30 in the morning 😀
Cheers
CCU