Cuban Mojo Recipe

This Mojo Marinade infuses your favorite proteins with zippy garlic citrus Caribbean notes made with simple fresh ingredients and is SO easy โ€“ just sit back and let the tantalizing marinade do all the work!ย 

This Mojo Marinade is the must-make marinade of the summer and all year long.ย  Itโ€™s intensely flavorful singing of garlic, citrus, cilantro, jalapeรฑo, oregano, cumin, and pepper.ย  The intoxicating blend is bright, fresh, zesty, tangy, herby, garlicky, peppery and breathes life into chicken, pork, salmon, and shrimp.ย  You can also use the mojo marinade as a sauce on top of grilled or roasted vegetables, eggs, potatoes, etc. Best of all, this mojo marinade requires hardly any chopping and takes all but 5 minutes to whisk together. ย Now, just add your protein and let the marinade do all the heavy lifting.ย  It couldnโ€™t be any easier or more delicious!

up close of Mojo Marinade in a glass jar


ย 

The Perfect Mojo Marinade

This mojo marinade is a breathe of fresh air with its fresh herbs and bright, tangy, garlicky, sour notes. I love how the clean citrus backdrop allows the garlic and herbs to truly shine and the pepper and jalapeno add a kick of heat without overwhelming the marinade. ย This mojo marinade is also gluten-free, keto-friendly, healthy and super versatile.ย 
You can make this mojo marinade as spicy as you want by adding more or less jalapenos and pepper, as garlicky as you want by adding more or less garlic, as herby as you want by adding more or less cilantro and/or oregano or as sour as you want by adding more or less lime/lemon juice. For us, however, itโ€™s perfect just the way it is.
To arrive at this perfection, I experimented with different ingredients such as omitting the cilantro and jalapeno (which arenโ€™t always included) and different proportions of ingredients. I found the marinade requires a generous quantity of oomph (garlic, pepper, oregano, cumin) and that adding cilantro and jalapeno elevate it to sublime. Cuban mojo marinades donโ€™t typically include cilantro and jalapenos but other Caribbean mojo marinades do, so this recipe is the best of both worlds.
This mojo marinade makes dinner time a breeze and is one of the best and easiest marinades youโ€™ll ever make. ย It can also be doubled or tripled and frozen for later so you always have the marinating tool to tenderize and add tons of flavor to chicken, pork or seafood at your fingertips.ย  ย ย Letโ€™s mojo!

top view of mojo marinade in a glass bowl with copper spoon
ingredient icon

Mojo Sauce Ingredients

This mojo marinade uses pantry friendly ingredients. Hereโ€™s what youโ€™ll need:ย 

  • Orange juice:ย you will need 2 oranges to make ยฝ cup orange juice.ย  Use freshly squeezed because we also need the zest of one orange.
  • Lemon and lime Juice:ย freshly squeezed is best but you can use bottled juice if it is pure fleshly squeezed without any additives.
  • Olive oil:ย ย use qualityย extra virgin olive oilย for the best flavor.
  • Onion:ย  ยฝ yellow onion will do the trick.ย  Donโ€™t substitute with a sweet onion.
  • Garlic:ย  adds the signature garlicky flavor.ย  You can use more or less depending on how pronounced you would like the garlic.
  • Jalapeรฑo:ย ย remove the seeds and membrane before roughly chopping because they contain most of the heat.
  • Ground cumin:ย ย adds a smokey, earthy undertone that rounds out the flavor profile and punches up the other flavors.
  • Dried oregano:ย is a classic addition to mojo marinade.ย  Itโ€™s aromatic, earthy, and minty.
  • Salt: ย is crucial!ย  It enhances all of the flavors, especially the garlic. If you donโ€™t have enough salt, the marinade will taste very bland. If thatโ€™s the case, make sure to salt your protein.

How to Make Mojo Marinade

Letโ€™s take a closer look at how to make this recipe with step-by-step photos (full recipe in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post):

  1. Finely chop fresh ingredients in food processor.ย  Mojo marinade is traditionally made by blending garlic, coarse salt, peppercorns, etc. with a mortar and pestle. ย This mojo marinade recipe, however, utilizes the modern-day food processor so all you have to do is roughly chop (barely) the onion and jalapeno before adding to the food processor.ย  Combine with cilantro and peeled garlic and pulse until finely chopped.
showing how to make mojo marinade by adding onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeno to food processor
showing how to make mojo marinade by finely chopping onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeno in food processor
  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl.ย  Next, transfer the chopped fresh ingredients to a large bowl.ย  Add the orange juice, orange zest, lime juice, lemon juice, ground cumin, dried oregano and olive oil, and give everything a stir.ย  You donโ€™t want to add the liquid ingredients to the food processor or it will leak out the bottom.
showing how to make mojo marinade by adding orange juice, oregano, ground cumin, orange zest, finely chopping onion, garlic, cilantro and jalapeno to a large glass bowl
  1. Reserve marinade.ย  Remove about ยผ cup to brush on your cooked protein or to dip it in.ย 
  2. Marinate. ย Add protein to the mojo marinade and marinate in the refrigerator.
showing how to store mojo marinade by adding to a glass jar.

Mojo Sauce Recipe Tips

  • Scale recipe.ย  The mojo marinade makes enough to marinate 2-3 pounds of protein.ย  You can half the recipe if making 1-2 pounds of protein or scale up for a larger protein.ย  Alternatively, you can use unused leftover marinade on vegetables, eggs, etc.ย 
  • Adjust to taste.ย  The mojo marinade should be garlicky, peppery and slightly sour.ย  Remember the marinade will taste 1000X stronger than your finished protein because it is concentrated.ย  You can adjust to taste by adding more or less of any of the ingredients.ย  You can make it spicier by adding additional jalapenos or reserving the jalapeno seeds and adding them to taste.
  • Reserve marinade.ย  Reserve 1/4-โ…“ cup marinade to bush all over your finished protein.ย  You will be amazed at how much this amps up the flavor of the protein.
  • Freeze protein in marinade.ย  If you canโ€™t get to cooking your marinated protein within 12 hours,ย then you can freeze the protein in the marinade to use later. ย Thatโ€™s a benefit of using the freezer bags โ€“ you can just toss them right into the freezer for later!
  • Freeze only once.ย  If you plan on freezing the protein in the mojo marinade, then use fresh protein.ย  You should not freeze protein twice.
  • Donโ€™t over-marinate. Due to high amount of citrus, donโ€™t marinate chicken or steak longer than 12 hours. If you use chicken tenderloins or fillets, however, you will only want to marinate 2 hours because the citrus can cause the chicken to become mushy. Larger cuts or tougher cuts can be marinated for up to 24 hours.
  • Bringย meat to room temperatureย before cooking.ย  You always want to let any protein sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking (and larger cuts even longer).ย  The logic is that room temperature chicken will cook faster if started at a higher temperature which means the outside is less likely to overcook and less time for moisture to be released while cooking.ย  It also cooks more evenly and you arenโ€™t left with an overcooked exterior and cold interior.ย 
  • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.ย  Always use a meat thermometer so you donโ€™t undercook OR overcook your protein.ย  Steak should be cooked to 145 degrees F (for medium), pork to 145 degrees F, fish to 145 degrees F and chicken to 165 degrees F.
  • Let protein rest.ย  After your protein is finished cooking, transfer it to a cutting board and let rest 5-10 minutes before chopping or slicing so it has time to reabsorb the juices that have pushed towards the outside of the protein. If you cut into the protein immediately after cooking, valuable, moisture-giving juices will run out.
    top view of making mojo marinade by combining ingredients in a glass bowl

    MARINADE FOOD SAFETY TIPS

    When it comes to marinating any protein, there are some safety rules to follow to avoid cross contamination.ย  Follow these simple rules to maintain sanitary conditions and food safety:

    • Use food safe containers.ย  I prefer food-safe sealable plastic bags such as freezer Ziploc bags. ย They really allow the marinade to envelop the protein vs. a dish in which the marinade might not cover all of the protein.ย  Sealable bags are also great for easy cleanup โ€“ just toss them! You may also use food grade plastic, stainless steel, or glass containers and cover with plastic wrap if they donโ€™t have a lid.
    • Squeeze out excess air. ย When using a plastic bag, make sure to squeeze out excess air before sealing then roll up the bag so the protein is nice and snug.
    • Flip protein occasionally.ย  If you marinate the protein in a shallow dish, make sure to flip the protein over occasionally so it marinates evenly.
    • Marinate in the refrigerator.ย Always marinate protein for a prolonged period of time covered in the refrigerator and not at room temperature to avoid food-born illness.ย  Only remove it from the fridge to the counter 60 minutes before youโ€™re ready to cook to help bring it to room temperature so it cooks evenly. ย 
    • Donโ€™t reuse marinade.ย ย Never reuse a marinade even for basting unless you boil it first to destroy any harmful bacteria. If you want to use the marinade for basting, drizzling or dipping, it is best to reserve a portion before you add the protein. I highly recommend reserving at least ยผ cup mojo marinade for this purpose.
    • PRO TIP:ย You can also reserve a couple tablespoons of mojo marinade (not contaminated) to drizzle on veggies before grilling or cooking like I do in myย chicken fajita recipeย and manyย kabob recipesย to make them uber flavorful without any extra work!

    Mojo Sauce Variations

    This mojo marinade is completely customizable.ย  Here are a few options:

    • Omit the jalapenos or add more jalapenos
    • Add red pepper flakes instead of jalapenos
    • Add parsley instead of cilantro or in addition to
    • Add more or less garlic
    • Make it more sour by adding more lemon juice and less orange juice or less sour by adding less lemon juice
    • Mix up the flavor profile by adding other seasonings/flavorings such as paprika, chipotle chile powder or liquid smoke
    up close of mojo marinade in a glass jar with a spoon showing the texture

    Mojo Sauce Recipe FAQs

    How is Mojo pronounced?

    Mojo is a Spanish word so the j makes an โ€œhโ€ sound like in jalapeno.ย  So, instead of pronouncing mojo โ€œmo-joe,โ€ it is pronouncedโ€mo-ho.โ€

    How does this Mojo Marinade work on your meats?

    This mojo marinade tenderizes and flavors your protein so all you have to do is marinate and cook!ย  In order for a marinade to be effective, it must contain acid, fat, salt and flavor enhancers.ย  The combination of these elements ensures that the protein is juicy, succulent and flavorful from the inside out. Hereโ€™s how it works:
    FAT:ย  theย olive oilย dissolves fat-soluble flavor compounds from the seasonings and aromatics and evenly disperses them throughout the protein.ย  Fat also adds moisture to the protein so itโ€™s especially important on lean cuts such as chicken breasts and pork tenderloin. If you are using the marinade just as mojo sauce, then you can skip the oil.
    ACID:ย  the orange juice, lime juice and lemon juiceย help tenderize the meat by breaking down lean muscle fibers.ย  The citrus trio also boast layers fresh, bright, tangy flavor.
    SALT: creates a brine, which increases the moisture capacity of the protein, helping it become juicer and more flavorful.ย  First, the salt hydrates the muscle tissues via osmosis; second, it changes the cellsโ€™ structure so that they can no longer contract when cooking.ย  This means less water will be squeezed out and lost, resulting in juicier protein.ย Finally, the brine draws the aromatic flavor further down below the surface into the protein and enhances all of the flavors. ย You can pile on herbs and seasonings but if a marinade is missing salt โ€“ it will taste bland.
    FLAVOR ENHANCERS: ย ingredients in mojo marinade can vary, but this recipe boasts citrus, garlic, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and pepper. ย 

    HOW LONG TO MARINATE with mojo marinade?

    This mojo marinade contains a high ratio citrus so you donโ€™t want to over-marinate your protein because the citrus can break down the protein and make it mushy. ย ย Large, tougher cuts such as pork shoulder and pork butt can be marinated up to 24 hours but steak, and chicken thighs should be marinated just up to 12 hours. ย Only marinate salmon and shrimp for up to 30 minutes.ย 

    top view of chicken marinated in mojo marinade on a white plate with orange slices showing what you can cook with mojo marinade

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    ยฉCarlsbad Cravingsย by CarlsbadCravings.com

    Mojo Sauce Recipe

    This Mojo Marinade is the must-make marinade of the summer and all year long. Itโ€™s intensely flavorful singing of garlic, citrus, cilantro, jalapeรฑo, oregano, cumin, and pepper. The intoxicating blend is bright, fresh, zesty, tangy, herby, garlicky, peppery and breathes life into chicken, pork, salmon, and shrimp. You can also use the mojo marinade as a sauce on top of grilled or roasted vegetables, eggs, potatoes, etc. Best of all, this mojo marinade requires hardly any chopping and takes all but 5 minutes to whisk together. Now, just add your protein and let the marinade do all the heavy lifting. It couldnโ€™t be any easier or more delicious!
    Servings: 2 -3 pounds protein
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Prep Time: 5 minutes

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    Ingredients

    • 6 cloves garlic peeled
    • 1/2 yellow onion roughly chopped
    • 1/2 cup loosely packed cilantro
    • 1-2 jalapenos deveined, seeded
    • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano or 2 teaspoons dried oregano
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon pepper
    • 1/2 cup fresh orange juice
    • 1 tablespoon orange zest
    • 1/4 cup lemon juice
    • 1/4 cup lime juice
    • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

    Instructions

    • Add the garlic, onion, cilantro, jalapenos and fresh oregano (if using) to your food processor and pulse until very finely chopped, scraping the sides down as needed. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in all remaining ingredients.
    • Reserve ยผ cup marinade to brush on protein after cooking or to serve as a dip.
    • This marinade makes enough to marinate 2-3 pounds of chicken, pork, fish, shrimp or beef.

    Notes

    Tips and Tricks

    • Scale recipe.ย  The mojo marinade makes enough to marinate 2-3 pounds of protein.ย  You can half the recipe if making 1-2 pounds of protein or scale up for a larger protein.ย  Alternatively, you can use unused leftover marinade on vegetables, eggs, etc.
    • Adjust to taste.ย  The mojo marinade should be garlicky, peppery and slightly sour.ย  Remember the marinade will taste 1000X stronger than your finished protein because it is concentrated.ย  You can adjust to taste by adding more or less of any of the ingredients.ย  You can make it spicier by adding additional jalapenos or reserving the jalapeno seeds and adding them to taste.
    • Donโ€™t over-marinate. Due to high amount of citrus, donโ€™t marinate chicken or steak longer than 12 hours. If you use chicken tenderloins or fillets, however, you will only want to marinate 2 hours because the citrus can cause the chicken to become mushy. Larger cuts or tougher cuts can be marinated for up to 24 hours.
    • Bringย meat to room temperatureย before cooking.ย  You always want to let any protein sit at room temperature for 15-30 minutes before cooking (and larger cuts even longer).ย  The logic is that room temperature chicken will cook faster if started at a higher temperature which means the outside is less likely to overcook and less time for moisture to be released while cooking.ย  It also cooks more evenly and you arenโ€™t left with an overcooked exterior and cold interior.
    • Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.ย  Always use a meat thermometer so you donโ€™t undercook OR overcook your protein.ย  Steak should be cooked to 145 degrees F (for medium), pork to 145 degrees F, fish to 145 degrees F and chicken to 165 degrees F.
    • Let protein rest.ย  After your protein is finished cooking, transfer it to a cutting board and let rest 5-10 minutes before chopping or slicing so it has time to reabsorb the juices that have pushed towards the outside of the protein. If you cut into the protein immediately after cooking, valuable, moisture-giving juices will run out.

    storage

    Transfer mojo marinade to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to one week in the refrigerator.ย  Transfer to the freezer if marinating any longer.

    HOW TO FREEZE

    You can double the recipe or freeze half of a single batch if you plan on marinating only a small portion of protein.ย  Hereโ€™s how to freeze:
    • Freeze mojo marinade.ย  Transfer mojo marinade to an airtight container and freeze for up to three months. Defrost in the refrigerator.
    • Freeze protein in marinade.ย ย Add the protein to the marinade and freeze.ย  Freeze for up to 3 months.ย  When youโ€™re ready to use, the protein will marinate as you defrost in the refrigerator.

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    22 Comments

    1. Greg says

      Jenโ€ฆ.I just LOVE your recipes. I have tried many of them and just canโ€™t get enough.

      What I like the VERY MOST of your posting is that you ALWAYS give a History/Origination of your recipes.

      Looking forward to many more.

      • Jen says

        Thank you so much for your kind comment Greg! I am honored youโ€™re loving my recipes and my posts! Your comment means an extra lot to me because some readers just wan the recipe ๐Ÿ˜‰ โ€“ so thank you!

    2. AnnfromAK says

      Amazing recipe! I better order these ingredients soon for delivery!! I might be quarantined but that doesnโ€™t mean I canโ€™t eat well!

      • Jen says

        Agreed! Cooking is the highlight of quarantine! Iโ€™m excited for you to try it!

    3. Angela says

      Iโ€™ve been looking for a homemade mojo recipe for a long time. Weโ€™ve always bought the bottled version in the store. Thank you so much for sharing this, I know itโ€™s going to be great!

      I love how you explain what each component of the recipe adds to the flavor and subtlety so that we can learn how to become better experimenters in our own kitchen.

      • Jen says

        Youโ€™re so welcome Angela, Iโ€™m excited for you to replace your bottled version! Iโ€™m so happy you find the explanations helpful โ€“ itโ€™s so fun to experiment once you have the tools!

    4. Rene says

      Jen, as always, I love all of your recipes. This one was no exception. I made it tonight with oranges, lemon and lime from our trees and served it on grilled chicken thighs and summer squash. Yum. Just yum! I did have to make one small change though. My CSO does not eat cilantro so I substituted fresh watercress. Gave it a nice peppery punch. Thanks as always for another great recipe. Bless you!

      • Jen says

        Thank you for making my recipes Rene! Thatโ€™s awesome you made this mojo already and I love that you were able to use citrus from your own trees! Your watercress swap was brilliant!

    5. Judith Lyon says

      help! I slow cooking this Mojo marinade on pork shoulder, but what can I serve it with for company tomorrow.!

    6. Guillermo says

      A better explanation is impossible. Uncompromising cuban flavor. Awesome! Itโ€™s just great!. Bless you.

      • Jen says

        Thank you so much Guillermo!

    7. Stephanie says

      This past weekend, I wanted to make your new Harissa chicken recipe but the husband saw a mojo chicken recipe on one of his bbq sites, he wanted to try that instead. I went to your website, saw you had a mojo recipe as well so went with your recipe because well, yours are always the best. Gave the chicken a good long marinade, basted with some held back marinade during grilling and served alongside your coconut ginger red beans and rice recipe. Dang girl, that was one delicious family dinner. Thank you!

      • Jen says

        Iโ€™m honored my mojo recipe won out and that it was a hit! I love how bright and flavorful that one is. Youโ€™re entire meal sounds fantastic! I love how adventurous your family is in the kitchen (or grill)!

    8. Toney Kostelnik says

      I quite like looking through a post that can make people think. Also, thank you for permitting me to comment!

      • Jen says

        Thanks Toney, I hope you love it!

    9. JONESCRUSHER says

      The food company GOYA sells Sour orange juice( one of the key ingredients in this marinade). You can find it in Walmartโ€™s foreign food aisle.

      • Jen says

        Great tip, thanks so much!

    10. Mitch Dempsey says

      How much marinade do you suggest that I make for a whole hog 125-150 lbs?

      • Jen says

        Hi Mitch! A general rule of thumb is to use about 1/4 to 1/2 cup of marinade per pound of meat. However, the amount of marinade you need may vary depending on the cut, size, and container youโ€™re using. Hope that helps!

    11. Kari Conant says

      I made this marinade and serving sauce exactly as the recipe given here, despite that it didnโ€™t look anything like the photo, it was delicious! I marinated two small pork tenderloins in the marinade and kept almost a cup aside for serving. I prepared the marinade using a stick blender which is super easy to clean. As a side, I made an onion rice as I had left over onion and I blended the onion up in the water I used to cook the rice in. Also a sason seasoned broccoli as our vegetable. It was a really nice meal that we both loved. I will make this again.

      • Jen says

        Thanks so much Kari! Iโ€™m so glad that this marinade helped your pork turn out so delicious for you and that itโ€™s a repeat recipe! Iโ€™m so glad you enjoyed not only the flavors but the easy clean-up!