Chorizo

Chorizo may be introduced as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. Make sure chorizo is served in an age-appropriate way and well-cooked to be safe for babies. While chorizo is high in sodium, an occasional taste is fine as part of a varied diet.

Chorizo refers to sausages that are often spicy, including a fresh, raw ground pork sausage sometimes called Mexican chorizo seasoned with dried chiles, garlic, vinegar, and spices, which must be cooked before eating and is typically fried loose and crumbled. Spanish chorizo is a cured, dried, and fermented sausage seasoned with pimentón and garlic, which is eaten without cooking and sliced thin. Both are among the most widely used flavoring meats in Latin American and Iberian cooking, with varieties including Portuguese chouriço, Argentine chorizo criollo (a fresh grilling sausage), and Colombian chorizo (fresh, often grilled whole).

• Apply barrier cream before meals with chorizo. The capsaicin in chorizo can cause contact irritation around the mouth and in the diaper area. A thin layer of petroleum jelly or a plant-based balm before the meal helps prevent rash.

• Taste it yourself first. Some varieties of chorizo are very spicy, and others have no heat at all. It’s important to know what you’re serving.

• Use chorizo to add flavor. A small amount of crumbled cooked Mexican chorizo in eggs or beans or a sliver of Spanish chorizo simmered into a lentil stew adds depth and flavor.

Yes. Chorizo is often cylindrical in shape and firm and springy in texture, qualities that increase the risk of choking. To reduce the risk, prepare and serve chorizo in an age-appropriate way as described in How to Serve. As always, create a safe eating environment and stay within reach of baby during meals.

Learn the signs of choking and more about choking first aid in our free guides, Infant Rescue and Toddler Rescue.

It depends. Chorizo and other sausages often do not contain common allergens, although it is possible to have allergies to ingredients in chorizo, such as beef, pork, and others.^{[1] [2] [3]} Also, other ingredients that are common food allergens may be added to chorizo, such as dairy, tree nuts, soy, and wheat, so make sure to read the label carefully.

Certain tick bites (mainly the Lone Star tick in the continental United States, but other ticks in different parts of the world), are associated with the development of an allergy to galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose (“alpha gal”), a sugar which is present in all non-primate mammalian meat. This results in a delayed allergic reaction 3 to 8 hours after red meat is consumed.^[3] However, some individuals with alpha gal allergy also react to small amounts of the sugar present in dairy products, gelatin, or organ tissues from mammals.

Chorizo often contains capsaicin from chiles or pimentón, which can cause skin irritation around the mouth and in the diaper area. Try applying a thin layer of barrier cream or ointment, such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm, to baby's face and diaper area to help prevent contact rash.

Yes, as long as the chorizo is well-cooked and prepared in an age-appropriate way to reduce the risk of choking. Chorizo is often rich in protein, heme iron, zinc, and B vitamins, including B12, all of which support growth, brain development, and immune function. While chorizo tends to be high in sodium, the amount of sodium consumed from solid food tends to be low as babies learn to feed themselves. Learn more about salt and babies.

No. Spices and bold flavors are safe starting at 6 months of age, or whenever baby is ready for solids, and there is no need to wait to introduce spicy foods. The level of spiciness varies by type and brand of chorizo, so make sure to taste the chorizo yourself before serving to baby. Consider serving the meal with a cooling food like yogurt or mashed avocado to help balance the heat. Applying barrier cream to the face and diaper area before the meal can help prevent contact rashes.

Yes. Soy chorizo and other plant-based alternatives are widely available and can be a convenient option for families who don't eat meat. Most plant-based chorizo products contain soy (a common allergen) and may also contain wheat, sesame, or other allergens, so make sure any common allergens in the food have been safely introduced before serving to baby. Check the consistency of the food too: some plant-based meat alternatives are softer or firmer than their meat-based counterparts and may need to be prepared slightly differently to reduce choking risk.