Quick Answer
A chorizo taco can contain around 300-500 calories on average, but the exact amount depends on the ingredients and portion size. Chorizo is a spicy Spanish pork sausage that can add significant calories, while fillings like cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and tortilla size can all impact the calories. Generally, a small chorizo taco made with a 6 inch corn tortilla contains around 300 calories, while a larger taco made with a flour tortilla can have 500 calories or more.
Calculating Chorizo Taco Calories
To estimate the calories in a chorizo taco, you’ll need to look at the calories in each ingredient and add them together. Here are some of the main components that impact chorizo taco calories:
Chorizo Calories
Chorizo is the staple ingredient in a chorizo taco that gives it its signature spicy, smoky flavor. Different brands and types of chorizo sausage can range in calories:
– Raw Mexican chorizo (100g): 367 calories
– Cooked Mexican chorizo (100g): 524 calories
– Spanish chorizo (100g): 452 calories
– Soy chorizo (100g): 266 calories
For a taco, you would likely use around 50-100g of cooked chorizo crumbles, which would provide:
– 50g cooked Mexican chorizo: 262 calories
– 100g cooked Mexican chorizo: 524 calories
Tortilla Calories
The tortilla is the wrap or shell that holds all the taco fillings. Tortillas can range from around 50-300 calories each depending on size and ingredients:
– 6 inch corn tortilla: approx 50 calories
– 8 inch flour tortilla: approx 150-200 calories
– 10 inch flour tortilla: approx 300 calories
So smaller corn tortillas will have fewer calories than larger flour tortillas.
Fillings Calories
Tacos are often filled with ingredients like cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, salsa, beans, rice, and sour cream that can add calories. Here are the calories for approx 1/4 cup of common taco fillings:
– Shredded cheddar cheese: 110 calories
– Guacamole: 114 calories
– Sour cream: 110 calories
– Lettuce: 5 calories
– Diced tomato: 10 calories
– Refried beans: 100 calories
– Mexican rice: 110 calories
– Salsa: 15-30 calories
The more fillings you add, the more calories your taco will contain. Sticking to veggies will help keep calories down.
Taco Sizes
Tacos come in many sizes, from street-style tacos on small corn tortillas to larger tacos on 10 inch flour tortillas. A smaller taco generally has fewer calories, while a larger overloaded taco can have significantly more calories.
Here are some typical taco sizes with estimated calorie ranges:
– Street taco (4-6 inch corn tortilla): 300-400 calories
– Standard taco (6 inch flour tortilla): 350-500 calories
– Large taco (10 inch flour tortilla): 500-800+ calories
Chorizo Taco Calorie Chart
To show the range of calories based on different ingredient choices, here is a simple chorizo taco calorie chart:
| Taco Components | Low-Calorie Options | High-Calorie Options |
|---|---|---|
| Tortilla | 6 inch corn (50 cals) | 10 inch flour (300 cals) |
| Chorizo | 50g soy chorizo (133 cals) | 100g Mexican chorizo (524 cals) |
| Cheese | No cheese (0 cals) | 1/4 cup cheddar (110 cals) |
| Guacamole | No guac (0 cals) | 1/4 cup (114 cals) |
| Sour Cream | No sour cream (0 cals) | 1/4 cup (110 cals) |
| Veggies | Lettuce & tomato (15 cals) | No veggies (0 cals) |
| Total Calories | ~300 calories | ~800+ calories |
As you can see, ingredients choices and portion sizes make a big difference in chorizo taco calories.
Low-Calorie Chorizo Taco Options
Here are some tips to enjoy chorizo tacos while reducing calories:
– Use a smaller 6 inch corn tortilla instead of large flour tortillas
– Limit cheese, guacamole, and sour cream as fillings
– Load up on veggie fillings like lettuce, pico de gallo, etc.
– Use just 50g of soy chorizo instead of 100g Mexican chorizo
– Skip extras like chips, queso, and creamy sauces on the side
Following these guidelines can help keep your chorizo taco around or under 300 calories.
High-Calorie Chorizo Taco Options
On the other hand, these options can increase your chorizo taco calories significantly:
– Choose a 10 inch flour tortilla
– Use 100g of cooked Mexican chorizo
– Add 1/4 cup each of cheese, guacamole and sour cream
– Include calorie-dense fillings like beans and rice
– Serve with 150 calories of chips and 200 calorie queso dip
– Drizzle with a creamy 120 calorie sauce or dressing
This would make for an indulgent chorizo taco closer to 800-900 calories. Save these higher calorie options for an occasional treat.
Chorizo Taco Calories for Different Diets
People on various diets may also want to adjust chorizo taco ingredients to meet their calorie goals:
Keto diet: Skip the tortilla and serve chorizo, cheese, guacamole, and veggies in a salad. Use avocado oil mayo instead of sour cream.
Vegetarian/vegan: Substitute soy chorizo, mushrooms, or seitan for regular chorizo. Use lettuce wraps instead of tortillas.
Gluten-free: Opt for corn tortillas, which are naturally gluten-free. Verify chorizo and taco seasonings are gluten-free.
Low-carb: Skip rice, beans, and flour tortillas as fillings. Use lettuce wraps or low-carb tortillas for the shells instead.
Low-fat: Use lean turkey chorizo, reduced-fat cheese and sour cream. Avoid guacamole and flour tortillas. Load up on veggie fillings.
No matter your dietary preferences, chorizo tacos can likely be adapted to fit your calorie, carb or fat needs.
Chorizo Taco Recipe and Nutrition Information
To give a specific example, here is a recipe for chorizo tacos with nutrition info per serving:
Chorizo Taco Recipe
Makes 4 tacos
Ingredients:
– 4 corn tortillas (6 inch)
– 1/2 lb cooked chorizo (about 2 links or 4oz)
– 1 cup shredded lettuce
– 1/2 cup diced tomato
– 1/4 cup shredded Mexican cheese
– 1/4 cup guacamole
– Lime wedges for serving
Nutrition per taco:
– Calories: 420
– Total Fat: 24g
– Carbs: 31g
– Protein: 17g
As you can see, even a moderately filled chorizo taco still comes in around 400 calories. Play around with the portions and fillings to customize the nutrition profile.
FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about chorizo taco calories and nutrition:
Are chorizo tacos healthy?
Chorizo tacos can be fairly high in calories, fat, and sodium. However, they can be made healthier by using leaner meats, smaller tortillas, and more veggie fillings. Enjoy chorizo tacos in moderation as part of an overall balanced diet.
What’s healthier – beef or chorizo in tacos?
Chorizo is generally higher in calories and fat compared to lean ground beef. However, extra lean beef can have a similar nutrition profile to chorizo. For maximum nutrition, fill the tacos with lots of vegetables.
Should I count calories in salsa and pico de gallo?
Salsas and pico are very low calorie, so you don’t need to stress about tracking those exact calories. Just estimate 1-2 tablespoons at around 10-15 calories each.
Does cooking method impact chorizo calories?
Yes, cooking method makes a difference. Frying in oil adds more calories compared to broiling, grilling or baking. For lower calorie tacos, cook chorizo in a non-stick pan with minimal oil.
Are soy chorizo tacos lower in calories?
Yes, soy chorizo is significantly lower in calories than pork chorizo, providing a great plant-based option. Use it to cut calories while still enjoying the taco flavors.
The Bottom Line
A chorizo taco can range from 300-500 calories or more depending on size and fillings. Choosing corn tortillas, limiting high-calorie toppings, and filling up with vegetables are great ways to enjoy flavorful chorizo tacos while controlling your calorie intake. Use portion sizes and fillings to adapt chorizo tacos for any healthy eating plan.