Cuban Mojo Sauce Recipe (Mojo Criollo Marinade)

Cuban Mojo Sauce Recipe

Hanging out in Florida always inspires me to seek out Cuban food. There are a few places we like to visit for some authentic Cuban cuisine, though I also enjoy making it at home.

In Florida, it is easier to find sour orange juice than back home, and when I have bitter oranges, I want Cuban Mojo Sauce. When I can't find them, I have an easy substitute that works very well. I'll show you how.

What Is Mojo Sauce?

Mojo (pronounced MO-ho), also called mojo criollo, is the classic Cuban garlic-citrus sauce that doubles as a marinade. The essential components are garlic, sour orange juice, oregano, and salt. Olive oil is usually added, as are cumin, black pepper, and sometimes onion.

The flavor is potent and vibrant with a distinctive garlic punch, bright and tangy. It's the flavor behind lechón asado (Cuban roast pork), the Cuban sandwich, and yuca con mojo. You'll sometimes see it called "mojito sauce," though it has nothing to do with the cocktail.

There are many ways to use it, either as a marinade or a sauce. I think you'll love it no matter how you use it.

Let's talk about how to make Cuban mojo sauce.

Cuban Mojo vs. Canary Island Mojo

Mojo traces back to the Canary Islands, and Canarian immigrants brought it to Cuba and the Caribbean. The Canary Island versions are a different sauce, though:

• Canary Island Mojos are made with chilies or herbs, vinegar and oil. Mojo rojo (or mojo picón) is red and spicy from dried peppers and paprika, while mojo verde is green with cilantro or parsley. They're traditionally served with papas arrugadas.
• Cuban Mojo swaps the vinegar for sour orange and goes heavy on the garlic. It's a marinade first, table sauce second.
• Mojo de Ajo is Mexico's garlic and oil sauce, closer to a garlic confit. Same name family, different sauce.

About Sour Orange (Naranja Agria)

Sour orange, also called bitter orange or Seville orange, is a key ingredient of Cuban mojo. It has the tartness of lime juice with an orange flavor. Look for fresh sour oranges in Latin markets, or grab bottled sour orange juice.

If you can't find either, mix your own: 2 parts fresh orange juice to 1 part lime juice and 1 part lemon juice. It gets you very close.

Cuban Mojo Ingredients

• Garlic Cloves. You'll use a lot of garlic for this recipe. It is meant to be a garlicky marinade or sauce.
• Onion. Optional, for extra body and flavor.
• Sour Orange Juice. Or use 2 parts orange juice to 1 part lime and 1 part lemon juice.
• Seasonings. Oregano, cumin, salt and black pepper. Dried oregano is fine, or use fresh.
• Olive Oil. Lard is often used, but olive oil is more common in home kitchens. You can omit oil if using as a marinade for fattier proteins, like roast pork.

How to Make Cuban Mojo Sauce

Make the Garlic Paste. Add the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, salt and pepper to a food processor and process to form a paste. Alternatively, you can use a mortar and pestle (or molcajete) to grind by hand, which is the traditional way.

Make the Vinaigrette. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the sour orange juice and olive oil until it thickens.

Combine to Make the Mojo. Stir in the seasoned garlic paste until well combined.

Taste and Adjust. Adjust with salt and pepper and serve.

Boom! Done! Looks great, doesn't it? Such a wonderful recipe. It is tasty stuff, truly. I like to use this a few different ways, as either a marinade, a sauce, or a vinaigrette.

How Long to Marinate in Mojo

Because mojo is citrus-based, it starts to break down proteins the longer it sits, so don't overdo it with delicate seafood. Here are my guidelines:

• Shrimp and Fish: 15 to 30 minutes.
• Vegetables: 1 hour.
• Chicken, Pork Chops and Steak: At least 2 to 3 hours, though overnight is better for flavor penetration.
• Pork Shoulder (Lechón): Overnight.

Then grill, roast or cook as desired.

How to Use Cuban Mojo

There are several ways you can use Cuban mojo to add a powerful garlic-citrus punch to your dishes.

The Perfect Cuban Mojo Marinade

Cuban mojo is ideal for marinating fish or other seafood, pork, chicken, steak, or vegetables. I love it for mojo shrimp, and it's the classic marinade for Cuban roast pork (mojo pork).

Cuban Mojo Sauce (Mojo Criollo)

Cuban mojo is great served as a garlicky sauce. You can serve it as-is, or gently warm it in a saucepan before serving.

It's perfect as a simple dipper for fried or boiled yuca or tostones, or a sauce that you can spoon over meats and sandwiches. Think pulled pork, shredded beef, grilled chicken, or a Cuban sandwich. Any and all of these will soak in the flavor that is mojo sauce.

More Ways to Use Mojo

• Mojo Onions. Simmer thinly sliced onions in warmed mojo until softened, then pile them onto roast pork or yuca.
• Mojo Aioli. Stir a few spoonfuls of mojo into mayonnaise for a garlicky sandwich spread or dipping sauce.
• Rice and Beans. Drizzle a little over white rice and black beans.

Mojo Vinaigrette

Toss chopped or shaved vegetables together with leafy greens for a wonderfully garlicky salad dressing. It will bring a lot of life and flavor to your light salad.

Storage Information

Store your Cuban mojo in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks. Shake it well before using. Do not save any leftover mojo that you've used for marinating.

You can freeze Cuban mojo in freezer bags for 3 months. To use it, thaw the mojo in the refrigerator, then use as desired. Note that some ingredients like fresh herbs or garlic may lose their flavor or texture when frozen.

More Cuban Recipes to Try

• Cuban Sandwich (the Cubano)
• Cuban Roast Pork (Mojo Pork)
• Cuban Black Beans
• Ropa Vieja (Cuban Shredded Beef)
• Tostones

Looking for more flavorful marinade recipes? Try my awesome shrimp marinade, the best pork marinade ever, or this easy carne asada marinade that is huge on flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does mojo sauce taste like?

Bright, tangy and very garlicky. Think garlic and citrus with herbs and a touch of cumin.

What is the difference between mojo and mojo criollo?

There is no difference. Mojo criollo is simply the full name for the Cuban version of mojo.

Can I use regular orange juice instead of sour orange?

Orange juice on its own is too sweet. Mix 2 parts orange juice with 1 part lime and 1 part lemon juice to mimic sour orange.

Is mojo sauce spicy?

Traditional Cuban mojo is not spicy. Blend in a hot chili pepper, like a habanero, if you want some heat.

Is homemade mojo better than store-bought?

Bottled mojo criollo is convenient, but homemade mojo has much more fresh garlic flavor, and it only takes about 5 minutes.

What is mojo sauce used for?

Marinating pork, chicken, beef and seafood, and as a table sauce for yuca, tostones, rice and beans, and sandwiches.