Chorizo is Gaining Popularity at U.S. Pizzerias

Published: May 22, 2026Kate Lavin

There are two types of chorizo: fresh and cured.
Pizzerias are experimenting with both types of spicy pork sausage to create new menu items.
Adding raw chorizo to pizza can cause the fat to melt when baked, creating a sheen of orange oil on top of pizza cheese.

Add Spanish or Mexican Flavor to Your Menu With Chorizo Pizza Recipes

Depending where you first saw chorizo on a menu, you might think of the spicy pork sausage as being offered in cured, Spanish-style links that can be sliced like pepperoni. Or, your version of chorizo might be Mexican-style: cooked and crumbled, similar to ground beef.

Whatever the style, chorizo is growing in popularity with U.S. pizzeria owners, according to the 2026 Pizzeria Industry Trends Report by Pizza Today. The pizza topping joins other trending foods, such as pistachios, which have seen a surge in demand, thanks to trendy Dubai chocolate.

Chorizo Preparations

Spanish chorizo is known for its bright red color, courtesy of smoked paprika, a seasoning which can be sweet or hot. Garlic, salt and pepper (both black and red) are common ingredients in the pork sausage links, which are hung to dry and cure in a cool environment.

Mexican chorizo, meanwhile, gets its dark red color from dried ground chiles. While also available in links, this style of chorizo is typically sold raw and squeezed out of its casing and into a pan to be cooked.

Can You Add Raw Sausage to Pizza?

Pinching flat, dime-size pieces of raw sausage directly onto an uncooked pizza is Tony Gemignani’s favorite way to make sausage pizzas. The same technique works for chorizo, too. Gemignani notes that pork can be thoroughly cooked in a short time using a 900 F wood-burning oven, while pizzas set to 450-525 F should be cooked for at least 25 minutes.

According to the National Pork Board, ground pork should reach an internal temperature of at least 160 F and retain a temperature of 140 F following a three-minute rest period.

Word of Warning

Once you’ve gotten a chorizo grease stain on your favorite shirt, even the dry cleaner is going to have a tough time getting it out. When raw (Mexican-style) chorizo cooks, the fatty pork often renders into oil, which creates a bright orange grease that can spread across your pizza – and potentially down the front of your outfit. Covering chorizo with cheese can help keep grease contained.