There is nothing more comforting than a good stew or soup. This shrimp and chorizo soup hits all the high notes! It's perfect for a quick weeknight gourmet main dish.
This soup comes together easily with just a few ingredients. Though minimalist in the ingredient list, the dish maximizes flavor in every way.
The soup is all about the flavors of Spain. If you've never been to Spain or sampled the cuisine then you can experience many of the signature flavors in this shrimp and chorizo soup.
The Spanish flavors in this recipe are so good I tried to replicate in a savory oatmeal dish!
Beats and Eats (song pairing for Shrimp and Chorizo soup)
Dr. Dre's "Animals" song was chosen as a strong pairing for this soup. I chose the song because the theme and message remind me of my experiences in Spain. I've spent significant time in Spain with and without my family and I'd say my first visit was the most human I'd had ever felt at that point in time.
The content is serious stuff but the beat is upbeat and makes the song approachable despite the subject matter. The familiar chorizo makes the more unique and "fancy" ingredients approachable in the same way.
Shrimp and Chorizo Soup Ingredients
- Spanish Chorizo - this is a hard salami like sausage not to be confused to the crumbly ground beef like Mexican chorizo.
- Shrimp
- Olive Oil
- Fennel
- Garlic Cloves
- Whole Peeled Tomatoes
- Dry White Wine
- Red Wine Vinegar
- Fresh Tarragon
- Paprika
- Kosher Salt
- Pepper
- Dried Thyme
- Dried Oregano
- Saffron Threads
How To Make Shrimp and Chorizo Soup
Step 1 Mix the Spiices
Pre-mix the spices and dried herbs together except for the saffron threads.
Step 2 Prepare the Soup
Pre-heat dutch oven on medium heat. Add olive oil then saute the chorizo sausage for 2-3 minutes.
Reduce heat, add fennel and garlic, and cook another 3-4 minutes. Season as you go using half of the spice mix.
Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan along with its juices. Add the wine and saffron, then bring everything to a boil to cook off the alcohol. Reduce to a simmer, add the remaining spices, and allow the flavors time (4-5 minutes) to concentrate a bit.
During the last 3-4 minutes of cooking add the shrimp, give everything a quick stir, cover and let simmer.
Step 3 Finish the Soup
Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the vinegar and the tarragon. Allow to sit about 2-3 minutes before serving.
Chorizo Soup Cooking Considerations and Tips
Build layers of flavor slowly. Don't rush and add all the ingredients simultaneously.
Slice the sausage as uniformly as possible so they all cook at pretty much the same pace. This is meant to be a quick recipe so slice the chorizo thinly for faster even cooking.
Slice the fennel thinly. Fennel has a bitter taste until you cook the bitterness away. Thinner slices will cook faster and thus get rid of the bitterness.
Saffron is highly fragrant and flavorful. If you have the time, allow it to steep like tea in the broth for a while to maximize its flavor.
Saffron is not cheap so don't be heavy-handed with the sprinkling. Plus a little goes a long way, so there is no need to use too much. Saffron used to be fairly inaccessible, but times have changed here recently and you can now find it in many different grocery store formats. Quality does vary depending on the source.
The chorizo will release quite a bit of fat into the dish. The acidic tomatoes will help break things up, but don't forget the red wine vinegar as somewhat of a finishing step. It will also help cut through the fatty sausage and help the soup open up overall.
Shrimp cooks fast so don't add too early. Otherwise, you'll overcook it and end up with chewy, rubbery shrimp which is not enjoyable at all.
Other seafood items like cod or mussels work well with this dish.
Serve this shrimp and chorizo soup as a main dish alongside broccolini, cucumber salad, or a rice dish.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What's the difference between Spanish and Mexican Chorizo?
Mexican chorizo is crumbled ground-like in its texture/consistency whereas the Spanish variety is a true hard sausage. The flavors are quite different as well as the spices/seasonings used aren't the same.
Where Can I find Saffron threads?
Try the spice aisle of your large format grocery store. Otherwise, you'll likely need to go to a specialty spice shop. The Spice House and Pendery's Spices are two of my favorite online spice shops.
Can You Make This Soup Ahead of Time?
Yes you can, but leave out the shrimp until you're ready to serve. Reheating shrimp is not a good proposition.
For Other Similar Recipes Try These:
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 oz spanish chorizo thinly sliced
- 1 bulb fennel thinly sliced
- 2 cloves garlic
- 28 oz whole peeled tomatoes plus juice
- ¾ cup dry white wine
- ½ lb peel and deveined shrimp
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon fresh tarragon chopped
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 3 threads saffron
Instructions
Step 1 Mix the Spiices
- Pre-mix the spices and dried herbs together except for the saffron threads.
Step 2 Prepare the Soup
- Pre-heat dutch oven on medium heat. Add olive oil then saute the chorizo sausage for 2-3 minutes.
- Reduce heat, add fennel and garlic, and cook another 3-4 minutes. Season as you go using half of the spice mix.
- Add the crushed tomatoes to the pan along with its juices. Add the wine and saffron, then bring everything to a boil to cook off the alcohol. Reduce to a simmer, add the remaining spices, and allow the flavors time (4-5 minutes) to concentrate a bit.
- During the last 3-4 minutes of cooking add the shrimp, give everything a quick stir, cover and let simmer.
Step 3 Finish the Soup
- Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the vinegar and the tarragon. Allow to sit about 2-3 minutes before serving.
Video
Aya
Sunday 20th of February 2022
This recipe is packed with flavor and spices! It tastes delicious, and I will definitely make it again. My husband, really loved it and he is not a soup person!
amy liu dong
Saturday 19th of February 2022
Oh my goodness, I can smell the flavor of this dish. It is so delicious and so easy to make. I love it!
Linda
Friday 18th of February 2022
This soup has all my favorites in one bite, and it's so comforting!
Cathleen
Friday 18th of February 2022
I am always cold these days, so I am constantly making soup. This soup looks amazing, I am going to have to give this one a go!!
Tammy
Friday 18th of February 2022
There are so many wonderful flavors going on here! You never disappoint..this looks bomb! I love the combo of shrimp and chorizo...delicious and comforting!