Chorizo is a type of pork sausage that is rarely stuffed into casings for cooking. Instead, the sausage is formed into meatballs, chorizo patties or added to various foods, such as chili. Chorizo is very flavorful and sometimes features a lot of spice; it is usually cooked in a pan on a stovetop. But if you are short on time, the microwave is your friend. You can partially or entirely cook chorizo in a microwave -- full cook the meat to prevent food-borne illnesses.

Thaw the chorizo in the fridge or under cool, running water. If you are in a pinch, you can also use the thaw setting on your microwave, but fully thaw it before you cook it.

Place a paper towel over the chorizo and cook in the microwave. You have two options here: you can brown the meat in the microwave before transferring it to another cooking method, or you can fully cook the meat in the microwave. If browning the meat, cook until it changes color. If fully cooking, cook for about four to six minutes for a 4-oz. cut of sausage.

Check the meat's internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Sausage needs to be cooked to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit. Add cook time as needed and continue microwaving until the middle of the meat is heated, then remove from the microwave.