Chorizo y Salchichon

Question

¿Cuál es la diferencia entre chorizo y salchichon?

I've been wondering the same thing. - Manity, Sep 17, 2013

A sausage by any other name is still a "banger" :) - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

hahahaha. - chileno, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 1

You should use cuál: ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre (el) chorizo y (el) salchichón?

The taste is very, very different. Even among different types of salchichón or chorizo, the flavor can differ tremendously depending on the spices used in the elaboration.

The main difference lies in the use of pimentón (dried smoked red pepper): I quote from The Wikipedia (chorizo) : "Spanish chorizo and Portuguese chouriço get their distinctive smokiness and deep red color from dried smoked red peppers (pimentón/pimentão or colorau)."

They are both delicious but they may be used for very different things. In Spain, we eat salchichón mostly in sandwiches or like a tapa (or a starter dish) together with cured cheese and (why not?) some type of chorizo as well.

Chorizo is often consumed on its own but is also widely used in many cooking recipes. "La tortilla de patatas con chorizo" is one of the simplest and one of my favorites.

See also: Salchichón.

Maaaate, I do not know whether to froth at the mouth for your temerity to post this series of delicious delights just as I am about to sit down to a coleslaw salad , or to let the fates go hang and open a packet of chorizo from my fridge , and allow my - - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

now well watered taste buds free reign . I use smoked red pepper, pimentón" which I buy from a Spanish grocery store in the city , I also buy Jamón iberico from there , but first have to take out a second mortgage to pay for it , strewth it is costly. - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

And how are you old mate ? great to see you again , old faces are always the most welcome around the fire. - ray76, Sep 17, 2013

Hahahaha... "Una vez al año no hace daño" Is an idiom. Literally: 'Once a year doesn't hurt'. We're getting by, Ray. :D Great to see you too. - 00483d91, Sep 17, 2013

Thanks a lot for your answer. - R_Rahman, Sep 17, 2013

Great idiom. - rogspax, Sep 17, 2013

"Old faces", Ray?? - rac1, Sep 17, 2013

:) nudge nudge wink wink amiga - ian-hill, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 2

I don't know what salchichón is but I could not live without chorizo. The spicier the better. Chorizo is not always packages in intestines. Sometimes it is sold "suelto". The variety is tastes and styles is amazing.

Okay. I looked up salchichón. It appears to be cured or precooked, ie. ready to eat. This is not the case with chorizo. It must be cooked in order to eat it.

As long as we are talking about chorizo. Fry some up in a pan, then throw some grated cheese on top and then put the pan on the table with a bunch of flour tortillas and use the tortillas to grab chunks of it out of the pan. A great "drinking" snack.

Yes, basically a salchichón is a big salchicha (vienesa/hot dog), but then again there different salchichones, in which case it refers to the form of salchicha but in bigger size. - chileno, Sep 17, 2013

chorizo unlike salchichones are linked. C? - chileno, Sep 17, 2013

Yes, when they are wrapped in intestines. - gringojrf, Sep 17, 2013

Correct. Now, Mexico is something else. I'll tell you that. :) - chileno, Sep 17, 2013

Answer 3

As many of us know "chorizo comes in many forms, I agree with Gringo-the spicier the better-I personny like the country style smoked version.

However here in the north of Mexico anyway "salchichon" is quite a different thing

"Chimex" is a brand name of a company that makes salchichon and it is a large sausage, -pork in this case that would remind you in appearance and taste of " bologna" usually used for sandwiches.