Mojo (Cuban Garlic-Citrus Sauce)

Name: Mojo (Cuban Garlic-Citrus Marinade)
Cook time: PT0D0H10M
Total time: PT0D0H10M
Yield: makes 1 cup
Ingredients: 10 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped; 1 tsp. salt; ¼ cups fresh bitter orange juice, or fresh lime juice; ¼ cups fresh orange juice; ¼ cups olive oil; ½ tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano; ¼ tsp. ground cumin; ⅛ tsp. dried oregano

Mojo is Cuba’s multipurpose marinade that doubles as the perfect sidekick for grilled meats and fish.

Serves
makes 1 cup
Time
10 minutes

PHOTO: LINDA XIAO • FOOD STYLING: JASON SCHREIBER • PROP STYLING: SUMMER MOORE

By Maricel Presilla

Updated on June 24, 2022

Mojo is a fragrant garlic-and-herb sauce that adds zest and spice to many Cuban dishes. It can be used as a marinade for pork, beef, or seafood, or passed tableside as a condiment. Unlike Canary Island mojos, which rely on chiles and vinegar, Cuban mojo gets its signature tartness from bitter orange juice. Culinary historian and chef Maricel Presilla, the author of this recipe, prefers using a large mortar and pestle here as tradition dictates, but those who don’t own one (or are crunched for time) may use a miniature food processor with good results.

What You Will Need

Ingredients

10 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
1 tsp. salt
¼ cups fresh bitter orange juice, or fresh lime juice
¼ cups fresh orange juice
¼ cups olive oil
½ tsp. finely chopped fresh oregano
¼ tsp. ground cumin
⅛ tsp. dried oregano

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Instructions

Step 1

In a large mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and salt to a fine paste. Add the bitter orange juice, orange juice, olive oil, fresh oregano, cumin, and dried oregano and stir to combine.

In a large mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and salt to a fine paste. Add the bitter orange juice, orange juice, olive oil, fresh oregano, cumin, and dried oregano and stir to combine.