Authentic Cuban Mojo Criollo (Mojo Marinade)

Listen, if the recipe is not marinated with mojo, it's not Cuban! Made with fresh garlic, sour orange, and oregano, this mojo marinade brings a refreshing taste that's perfect for chicken, pork, or steak. Infused with bold, tangy flavors, this marinade just screams tradition. Learn how to make this easy 10-minute Cuban mojo marinade with just 5 fresh ingredients!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 head garlic (8-10 large cloves)
• 1 1/2 cups sour orange juice* ((naranja agria))
• 1/3 cup minced white onion
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/3 cup oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Make a garlic paste. Add the garlic cloves with 1/4 teaspoon of salt in a mortar and pestle. Mash the garlic cloves until you get a smooth paste. The salt helps break down the garlic.
2. 2Make sour orange juice. If you have sour orange juice, skip this step. Use two parts orange to one part lemon and one part lime. Start by juicing the navel oranges, lemons, and limes. You need 1 cup fresh navel orange juice, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice. Stir the juices together until well combined.
3. 3Make the marinade. Add the garlic paste, onions, sour orange juice, oregano, oil, and salt & pepper in a large jar with a lid. Start with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper. Close the jar tightly and shake it until well combined.
4. 4Taste and adjust salt as needed. This marinade should taste garlicky, citrusy, bright, tangy, and slightly sour. Be sure to shake well before every use. Enjoy!