Rib Tip Chorizo is a bold, fiery spin on traditional chorizo—using pork rib tips turned into spicy sausage with dried Guajillo and Habanero chiles, Mexican oregano, cumin, paprika, and garlic. This recipe from ATBBQ transforms backyard leftovers into something smoky, spicy, and utterly addictive.
Rib Tip Chorizo
Tom Jackson
Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users
Category
Entree
Cuisine
American
Servings
8
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
30 minutes
Calories
434
Crafted by Chef Tom Jackson, this dish brings Mexican seasoning and BBQ technique together in a portable, flavorful form. It’s lean pork pieces mixed with chorizo paste, cooked to perfection—it’s fast, flavorful, and proud to show off your grilling credentials.
Ingredients
- 1 lb rib tips
- 3 oz pork/beef fat (Alternatively, you can just use store bought ground pork)
- 4 dried Guajillo chiles
- 1/4 cup vinegar of your choice (We used a combination of apple cider and pomegranate vinegars)
- 1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne powder
-
2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp Habanero powder (optional)
Directions
Toast & Soak the Chiles
- In a hot, dry skillet, toast a few seconds on each side each dried Guajillo chili until fragrant.
- Transfer them to a bowl, cover with enough water, bring to a boil, then turn off heat and soak for 30 minutes until softened.
Blend the Chorizo Paste
- Drain softened chiles, de-stem, and add to blender with vinegar, onion, and garlic.
- Blend into a smooth, thick paste—similar to ketchup.
- Add cinnamon, cumin, paprika, oregano, cayenne, salt, and optional habanero powder, and pulse to combine.
Prep the Rib Tips
- Trim any large pieces and dice rib tip meat and fat into small pieces (or grind through a 4.5 mm plate if possible).
- Mix the meat/fat with the chorizo paste by hand until evenly coated.
- Cook a small test batch in a skillet; adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook the Chorizo
- Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chorizo mixture, breaking it apart and cooking gently until it’s browned, firm, and slightly crisp on the edges.
- Taste and adjust salt or heat level.
Serve & Enjoy
- Serve warm as a topping for eggs, tacos, burritos, or stuffing into peppers.
- Refrigerate leftovers and reheat gently—it remains great in breakfast tacos, hash, or stirred into beans.

Recipe Note
What you'll love about this recipe
Smoky, spicy chorizo magic: Guajillo and Habanero peppers bring deep heat and color.
Made-from-scratch sausage vibe: Turn rib tips into a seasoned paste and grill or cook them just like classic chorizo.
Bold seasoning from Mexico: Oregano, cumin, paprika, and garlic create vibrant flavor layers.
Quick and versatile: Mix and cook in under an hour—great on tortillas, over eggs, or as a chunky crumble for tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I use if I can’t grind rib tips?
Dice the rib tips and fat finely by hand and mix thoroughly with the paste—it still works well as a crumble.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Absolutely—omit habanero powder or reduce cayenne for milder chorizo, or add extra for heat.
Is vinegar necessary in the paste?
Yes—vinegar brightens flavors and helps emulsify the chili paste into the meat mixture.
Can I make this in advance?
Yes—cook it ahead and refrigerate. Reheat over low heat to keep moisture, perfect for breakfast or tacos.
Can I cook these indoors?
We rate these as a 4 out of 5. Great in the kitchen, better on the grill.
Nutrition
Nutrition
- Serving Size
- 4 oz
- per serving
- Calories
- 434
- Carbs
- 6 grams
- Protein
- 10 grams
- Fat
- 19 grams
- Sodium
- 49 milligrams