All About Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo

There have always been yummy alternatives for vegans, and Soy Chorizo stands above them!

For starters, Soy Chorizo has Mexican roots. It’s a sausage made from soy but with flavors of the Mexican chorizo.

Soyrizo, as is popularly known, is versatile and can be served with many dishes such as breakfast dishes, kinds of pasta, and chili. Because of its popularity, soy chorizo has assumed a generic name rather than a band name envisioned by El Burrito. Consequently, many renowned brands such as Trader Joe’s make good and yummy versions.

Trader Joe’s soyrizo is not only tasty but also vegan and gluten-free. As such, it shouldn’t worry you if you’re allergic to meat proteins or have celiac complications. However, Soyrizo is a favorite to both vegans and carnivores alike.

Does Trader Joe’s Sell Soy Chorizo?

Yes, Trader Joe’s sell Soy Chorizo. While you’re at the in-store, you can find this delicious soyrizo in the tofu section at only $2.49/12 Oz. 

Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Ingredients

• Water
• Textured Soy Protein
• Soybean Oil
• Paprika (For Color)
• Sea Salt
• Distilled White Vinegar
• Cultured Dextrose (less than 2%)
• Maltodextrin
• Caramel Color
• Spices
• Dried Red Pepper
• Garlic Powder

Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Nutrition Facts

Serving Size

2 Oz

Calories Per Serving

130

Is Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Healthy?

In general terms, TJ’s Soyrizo is a good meat substitute for both vegans and carnivores, with its nutritional value emanating from the soy protein. Also, its fat content is 60% below what the traditional chorizo contains, and its complete absence of cholesterol.

While it contains dietary fiber, which helps control blood sugar, its sodium level is high (a 12 oz packet contains 660mg of sodium, a 29% DV). Additionally, many people find the fat content (at 9g representing 7% of DV) high too.

Finally, too much soy isn’t good for your health. This is because soy contains isoflavones, a compound that has estrogen-like effects. Too much of this compound can trigger early puberty, reduce female fertility and disrupt fetal development. Therefore, it’s advisable to eat soy in moderation.

How Do You Cook Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo?

To cook soy chorizo, you have to first remove it from the plastic casing that encapsulates the chorizo contents. While it’s a pre-seasoned meat alternative, you should cook it before eating it because it’s usually sold raw.

Cooking Instructions

• Remove the plastic casing (it isn’t edible like the pork chorizo is)
• Put some oil on the pan and heat it
• Add the soy chorizo breaking it into pieces as it cooks
• Allow it to cook for 8-10 minutes
• Once the heat reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit, remove from the heat
• Sauté to brown before adding to tacos, nachos, egg casseroles or burritos

How Do You Store Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo?

Understandably, soy chorizo gets messy once the casing is opened. To maintain its quality, you should refrigerate dry opened soy chorizo at all times. The opened dry soy chorizo can maintain its quality in the refrigerator for close to 3 weeks.

You can also maximize its shelf life by wrapping the opened package in a quality air-tight aluminum foil, resealable plastic bag, or wrap.

Simply freeze it before its recommended freezer time elapses to make it stay longer. Even in the freezer, you can maximize its shelf life by wrapping it more with original store packaging or freezer paper that prevents freezer burn.

If not opened, dry soy chorizo can last up to 10 months while retaining its quality but can remain safe beyond this time. In fact, well-preserved dry soy chorizo can stay in the freezer indefinitely.

To confirm if the soy chorizo is bad, check if it has an unusual smell, appearance, or flavor. If there’s mold appearing on it, just discard it.

How Do You Serve Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo?

It’s no secret that TJ soyrizo is a versatile crumbly meat substitute loved by both vegetarians and omnivores. You can comfortably serve it with several dishes such as quesadillas, Mexican sweet potato hash, vegan chili, pumpkin enchiladas, or even egg casserole and still excite your taste buds.

What Goes Well With Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo?

Soy Chorizo can blend with any dish you choose. Whether it’s a breakfast or brunch dish, this meal is just hot for your liking.

You can savor soy chorizo’s spiciness at breakfast with eggs, quesadillas, burritos, taquitos, or tacos.

4 Recipes You Can Make With Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo

1) Soy Chorizo Quesadilla

With just 15 minutes at hand, you can produce this gluten-free, sumptuous, vegan dish without much effort.

Cooking Instructions

• First, cook the soy chorizo for 2-3 minutes.
• Add lime juice, chili powder, and cumin
• Then start preparing the quesadilla by dividing 2 cups of grated Mexican cheese between 2
• Once the soy chorizo is cooked, divide it between the two tortillas
• Top it with cheese
• Add ¼ cup of cilantro to both tortillas
• Add a tortilla on each quesadilla
• Now cook the quesadilla
• Heat the skillet on medium heat
• Put a little oil (spray oil is best)
• Place the quesadilla one at a time on the skillet
• Allow it to cook for 3-4 minutes
• Flip it and cook for another 3-4 minutes until it turns golden brown
• Serve the quesadilla with guacamole, sour cream, hot sauce or salsa

2) Soyrizo Casserole

Cooking Instructions

• Cook crumbled soy chorizo on medium or high heat for 5-7 minutes
• Cook and stir onions, potatoes, and pepper until tender for 5-7 minutes
• Add garlic
• Allow it to cook for 1 minute more
• Remove from heat and stir it in chorizo
• Allow it to cool for 15 minutes
• Whisk chili powder, cream, eggs, and green chiles
• Mix the following in a baking dish: chorizo mixture, cheeses, and egg mixture; sprinkle with one tablespoon of cilantro.
• Bake it uncovered for 30-35 minutes until it is set
• Cool for 10 minutes before serving with pepper sauce and sour cream

3) Soyrizo Taco Salad

Cooking Instructions

• Remove casing from soy chorizo.
• Heat the crumbled chorizo in a skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• Add corn.
• Divide romaine into four plates. Add some cruciferous greens to each plate.
• Mix the dressing by stirring ranch dressing and taco seasoning together.
• Add one cup of corn/ soyrizo mixture to each plate.
• Dress it with 1 tbsp greek yogurt, 1/2 avocado, and 2 tbsp pico de gallo on each plate.
• Drizzle salads with dressing.

4) Soy Chorizo Soup

Cooking Instructions

• Heat oil on medium heat.
• Add chiles, onion, and garlic.
• Cook for 3-4 minutes until the onion is soft.
• Add the Soyrizo and use a spoon to break it up as it cooks for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the Beyond Meat Chicken and cook for several more minutes.
• Add the broth and water. Allow boiling.
• Add the potatoes and beans and let them boil before simmering.
• Add a little more water for soup (if necessary).
• Add pepper, corn, and salt.
• Simmer until the potatoes are tender.
• Serve with tortillas, avocado, and cilantro.

Is Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Good?

Soy chorizo from Trader Joe’s is good by all indications. It’s so popular among vegans and non-vegans that it won the Trader Joe’s 2020 Customers Choice Awards. And for 12 years in a Row, shoppers have selected TJ soy chorizo as a favorite item on their shopping list. When it comes to taste, TJ soy chorizo has a spicy and tasty flavor that is akin to the ‘real’ thing when it comes to taste.

You can also see some of the customer reviews on TJ soy chorizo.

FAQs

Is Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Spicy?

Yes, TJ soy chorizo is spicy, courtesy of the numerous spices such as Spanish paprika,  cayenne pepper, cumin, and chili powder that are generously included.

Can You Eat Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Raw?

No, TJ soy chorizo needs to be cooked before eating since they are sold raw. Additionally, eating raw soy chorizo could lead to stomachache and other complications.

Does Trader Joe’s Soy Chorizo Need To Be Cooked?

Yes, you’ve to cook TJ soy chorizo to make it safe for consumption. Typically, you can make it into meatballs before reheating it to about 165 degrees Fahrenheit if it’s microwaved, ovened. Apart from the oven or microwave, you can panfry it before adding a salad to tacos or other ingredients. This usually enhances its taste and flavor.

Is Soy Chorizo a Meat Substitute?

Yes, soy chorizo is typically a spicy plant-based meat substitute made from soy proteins. Its flavor and taste equal that of the real stuff and is used in place of meat for soups, tacos, chili, or any other dish.