Choripan
Choripan is an Argentine and Uruguayan street food staple: a butterflied, grilled chorizo criollo (a fresh, coarsely ground pork or beef sausage, not the dry Spanish or Mexican cured chorizo) served in a crusty roll and topped with chimichurri or salsa criolla. It's the sandwich version of an asado, usually the first thing off the grill while everything else finishes cooking.
Varieties
Choripan can mean slightly different things by region: in much of Argentina it's plain grilled chorizo with chimichurri, while in some Uruguayan and Chilean versions the sausage is served whole rather than butterflied, or topped with mayonnaise and mustard alongside the chimichurri.
Buying tips
Look for chorizo criollo or 'Argentine-style chorizo' at Latin American butchers or specialty meat markets; it's usually sold fresh and uncured, seasoned with paprika, garlic, and sometimes white wine, and noticeably coarser than breakfast sausage. If unavailable, choose the mildest fresh Italian sausage on hand rather than a dry-cured or smoked chorizo, which won't grill or slice the same way.
Substitutes
Fresh Italian sausage (sweet or mild) — 1:1
Closest texture match since it's also a fresh, uncured pork sausage. Add a pinch of smoked paprika and a splash of red wine vinegar to get closer to chorizo criollo's flavor.
Fresh Mexican-style chorizo (uncooked, loose) — 1:1
Works if stuffed into casing or shaped into a log before grilling, since loose Mexican chorizo won't hold together on the grate on its own. Spicier and more vinegary than the Argentine original.
Bratwurst — 1:1
Milder and less paprika-forward, but the same fresh-sausage snap and grillability. Season with extra garlic and cumin to compensate.
Merguez sausage — 1:1
Spicier and more heavily spiced with cumin and harissa than chorizo criollo, but a good match if only lamb sausage is available.
Storage
Raw chorizo criollo keeps in the refrigerator for 2 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Once grilled, leftover sausage keeps in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat on a hot skillet rather than in the microwave so the casing doesn't turn rubbery.
How to use
Split the sausage lengthwise (butterflied, not cut all the way through) so it lies flat and grills faster with more surface contact. Grill over medium-high heat, cut side down first, until well marked, then flip to finish, about 10-12 minutes total. Serve immediately in a crusty roll, split and lightly toasted on the grill, topped with chimichurri and/or salsa criolla (a chopped tomato, onion, and bell pepper relish in vinegar and oil).
What it pairs with
Pairs with a simple green salad, grilled provoleta cheese, or other asado staples like grilled morcilla (blood sausage) and short ribs. A malbec or a cold lager both cut through the fat well.
Nutrition
A choripan is a high-protein, high-fat sandwich, roughly 500-650 calories depending on sausage size and bread, driven mostly by the pork or beef fat in the sausage. Chimichurri adds negligible calories but contributes vitamin A and antioxidants from the parsley and garlic.
FAQ
Is choripan the same as a regular chorizo sandwich?
Not quite. Choripan specifically uses chorizo criollo, a fresh raw sausage grilled to order, and is almost always topped with chimichurri, whereas a generic 'chorizo sandwich' might use cured Spanish or Mexican chorizo and different toppings.
Can choripan be made without a grill?
Yes. A cast-iron skillet or grill pan on the stovetop works well; cook the butterflied sausage cut-side down first over medium-high heat until browned, then flip, about 10-12 minutes total.
What bread should be used for choripan?
A crusty, sturdy roll similar to a small baguette or Portuguese roll works best. It should be lightly toasted on the grill so it can hold the sausage and chimichurri without falling apart.
What's the difference between chimichurri and salsa criolla on choripan?
Chimichurri is an oil-based sauce of parsley, garlic, oregano, and vinegar; salsa criolla is a chunkier relish of diced tomato, onion, and bell pepper in oil and vinegar. Many choripan versions use one or both together.
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