Chorizo a la Sidra (Spanish Chorizo in Cider)

Travel

Chorizo a la Sidra (Spanish Chorizo in Cider)

TCCAdmin

November 14, 2023

Chorizo a la Sidra (Spanish Chorizo in Cider)

[ad_1]

Published: Nov 14, 2023 by Lauren Aloise · This post may contain affiliate links ·

With summer on the way, my go-to dish right now is chorizo a la sidra—Spanish chorizo cooked in hard cider. It’s the perfect combo of smokey, paprika-spiced pork and sweet apple, making this classic tapa quick, easy, and incredibly tasty.

Looking for other tasty ways to use chorizo? You’ll love these recipes for chicken and chorizo stew and Spanish chicken and rice with chorizo.

Jump to:

Introduction

Choriza a la sidra is a dish you’ll find all over Spain. Its two main ingredients, chorizo sausage and hard apple cider from Asturias, are popular with every chef in the country.

During the summer months, a cool glass of sidra, the lightly alcoholic, lightly fizzy cider is a welcome relief from the heat of the day. But its flavors really shine when it’s paired with salty, smokey, and spicy chorizo.

Given how simple this recipe is, it’s important to only use the best quality ingredients that you can afford. There’s no room to hide here!

Ingredients

Wondering what ingredients this chorizo a la sidra recipe calls for? This couldn’t get any easier! Let’s talk about each of the 5 ingredients.

Chorizo: You can use either fresh or semi-cured chorizo in this recipe.
Hard Apple Cider: This adds a delightful fruity flavor to this smoky, paprika-spiced dish.
Olive Oil: Be sure to use good quality Spanish olive oil if you can. The better your olive oil is, the better this dish will taste!
Bay Leaves: This herb adds a subtle flavor that enhances the flavors of the sausage and apple.
Parsley: The perfect colorful garnish for this flavorful dish.

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

Chorizo: Feel free to use either fresh or semi-cured chorizo. For a delicious but non-authentic result, try spicy Mexican chorizo.
Hard Apple Cider: If you can’t find Spanish sidra, use any hard cider you can find. One with a tart, earthy flavor is best, as it most closely emulates the authentic Spanish sidra.

How to Make Chorizo a la Sidra

If you’d like to see the full ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of the post for the printable recipe card.

slicing and browning the chorizo in a skillet.

Cut the chorizo into 2 centimeter slices. (image 1)
Heat the olive oil in a skillet, then add the chorizo and fry until it’s browned, about 5 minutes. (image 2)

simmering the chorizo until the sauce thickens.

Pour in the hard cider and bay leaves, then stir to combine. (image 3)
Simmer until the juices are thickened, about 5-8 minutes. You should see droplets of red oil from the chorizo in the liquid. (image 4)

garnishing the chorizo and serving it with bread.

Remove the pan from the heat and serve immediately. (image 5)
Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley, and enjoy with a slice or two of hearty bread. (image 6)

Recipe FAQs

What is chorizo a la sidra made of?

This simple Spanish tapa is made from two basic ingredients: fresh or semi-cured chorizo, and hard apple cider. You’ll also need olive oil for frying the sausage, and parsley and bay leaves to add a little flavor.

What’s the difference between Mexican chorizo and Spanish chorizo?

Mexican chorizo is usually a fresh sausage seasoned with chili peppers, while Spanish chorizo can be fresh or cured, which dries out its texture. Spanish chorizo isn’t as spicy as Mexican chorizo, as it’s seasoned with paprika, not hot chilies.

What is a Spanish sidra?

Sidra (“cider” in English) is fermented, lightly carbonated hard cider originating in the Asturias region of Spain. It has a more tart and earthy flavor profile than American sweet cider, and is absolutely delicious!

Expert Tips

Use the best quality ingredients you can find. It will really make a difference in the flavor!
Can’t find Spanish sidra (hard apple cider)? Use another type of hard apple cider with a tangy, earthy flavor profile.
Be careful not to slice the chorizo too thinly, or it may break apart during the cooking process.

Other Spanish Tapas You’ll Love

If you liked this recipe, please share it with others!

Follow Spanish Sabores on Facebo ok, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram for more recipes and travel tips.

If you’ve made and enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star review!