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    Home » Recipes » Puerto Rican Recipes

    Feb 18, 2020 by Lola Calder-Rodas

    Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning (Sazon Boricua)

    110 shares
    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    Growing up adobo seasoning and sazón was something our grandmothers and mamis use in the kitchen to season everything. From Chicken, fish to Pernil. Every time the smell of adobo seasoning fills up the kitchen, it reminds me of the holidays. In this blog post, I will be sharing my recipe for Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning (Adobo Boricua).

    *Updated the recipe card and ingredients to make it easier for readers*

    puerto rican adobo cafe sazón y vida

    I make my own Adobo Seasoning at home

    When I moved to United States 23 years ago, I had a hard time finding everything that we used to cook at home. I would use Goya adobo seasoning but it was nothing like my grandmas. I realize that the reason I couldn't find it anywhere was because she made her own. I called my grandma and got an idea of what she used and since we don't measure, it took me a while to get it to taste just how she made it.

    Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning - hungrytravelingmama.com

    This recipe is so easy and I promise you will be using the Adobo on everything.

    I use turmeric or more paprika which gives it that yellow-ish orange color.

    You can always add more salt, if its not salty enough for your taste. I have also included a seasoning idea below for pernil what we call lechón but honestly you can use it for chicken, fish and beef.

    Puerto Rican Recaito - Sofrito 2

    Puerto Rican Sofrito - Recaito

    Here is my recipe for Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning

    Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning - hungrytravelingmama.com

    Equipment

    • Large Mason Jar
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Funnel

    Ingredients to make the adobo seasoning

    • Sea Salt
    • Onion Powder
    • Garlic Powder
    • Black Pepper
    • White Pepper
    • Paprika
    • Cumin
    • Coriander
    • Dried Oregano
    • Turmeric

    How to make the adobo seasoning

    Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in the bowl and use the funnel to pour into mason jar. Use about 2 tbsp when seasoning, but it can be adjusted to your like.

    Yields about 2.5-3 cups.

    Store in a dry, cool place.

    I make a new batch every three months, since I cook a lot. .

    Seasoning Idea:

    Lechon Seasoning:

    For an 8lb pernil:

    Mix ⅜ cup of adobo with 3 tbsp of olive oil and 8 garlic cloves until it becomes a paste.

    Using a sharp pairing knife, make small pockets in the pernil.

    Rub Adobo paste thoroughly making sureto get it inside the small pockets.

    You can season pernil up to two days in advance.

    puerto rican adobo sazon

    Frequent Asked Questions:

    Can I leave the salt out in the adobo?

    Yes you can! As always this is a guide on how to make it, you can always add more or less salt.

    What is the shelf life of adobo seasoning?

    The shelf life of this adobo is about 3-6 months depends on how often you use it. Keep it in an air tight container or mason jar in the pantry.

    Where can I get the ingredients to make the adobo seasoning?

    I usually get my ingredients from Badia or at any store that sells spices. Because I am always making adobo, I buy them in bulk.

    Other Puerto Rican Recipes with Adobo Seasoning:

    • Cuban Sandwich
      Cuban Sandwich with Mojo Slow Roasted Pork
    • meat and potato empanadas
      Easy Meat and Potato Empanadas - Puertorican Empanadillas
    • seasoned fries with mayo ketchup
      Air Fried Seasoned Fries with Mayo Ketchup
    • easy Shrimp Ceviche
      Easy Shrimp Ceviche
    puerto rican adobo cafe sazón y vida

    Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning

    Lola - Café Sazón y Vida
    We use this adobo seasoning in all our cooking, especially in our lechon (roasted pork)
    4.95 from 17 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Course Appetizer, Main Course, Snack
    Cuisine Puertorican

    Equipment

    • Large Mason Jar
    • Measuring Spoons
    • Mixing Bowl
    • Funnel

    Ingredients
      

    • ⅓ cup Sea Salt
    • ⅓ cup Onion Powder
    • ½ cup Garlic Powder
    • 2 tbsp Black Pepper
    • 2 tbsp White Pepper
    • 2 tbsp Paprika
    • 2 tbsp Cumin
    • 3 tbsp Coriander
    • 4 tbsp Dried Oregano
    • 3 tbsp Turmeric

    Instructions
     

    • Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in the bowl and use the funnel to pour into mason jar. Use about 2 tbsp when seasoning, but it can be adjusted to your like. As always you can add more salt to taste.
      It yields about 2.5-3 cups
      Store in a dry, cool place.
      I usually replenish every 3 months since I cook everyday.
    • Seasoning Idea:
      Lechón seasoning:
      For a 8 lb pernil
      Mix: ⅜ Cup of adobo with 3 tbsp of Olive Oil, Vinegar and 8 garlic cloves until it
      becomes a paste. Make small pockets in the pernil by cutting slits all over.
      Rub Adobo paste thoroughly making sure to get it in the pockets.
      You can season pernil up to two days in advance.
    Keyword Adobo, Boricua Adobo, Cocina Boricua, Puertorican Adobo, Sazon
    Did you make this recipe?Tag @cafesazonyvida on Instagram and use #cafesazonyvida!

    More Puerto Rican Recipes

    • Pumpkin pie flan
      How To Make Pumpkin Pie Flan
    • Puerto Rican Recaito - Sofrito 2
      How to Make Puerto Rican Sofrito - Recaito
    • How to make the best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog
      How to Make the Best Coquito - Puerto Rican Nog

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kristen Parks says

      May 21, 2020 at 12:03 am

      5 stars
      Doesn't look anything like the adobo sold in the stores but it is freaking BOMB!!!!!! LOL. Since I seem to have an addiction to buying seasonings in bulk I luckily had all the ingredients on hand to put it together. I am doing a smoothie cleanse so I sprinkled some on a little left over avocado I was adding to the smoothie which resulted in me dipping my finger in it and trying it too. IT WAS SOOOOOO GOOD! I may have added more smoked paprika than the regular paprika and I loved the smokey smell of it. I cannot wait to use it more especially on a pernil recipe I found when I make it again. I like to make things from scratch when I can as it is better and avoids preservatives. This will be my go to adobo recipe so please never remove this recipe. Your abuela knew what she was doing...then again most grandmothers so when it comes to throwing down in the kitchen. I will share this recipe. Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        May 29, 2020 at 12:12 am

        OMG! Thank you for this!! I really appreciate your feedback! I am so glad you are using it and it is your to go recipe!!

        Reply
    2. Martha says

      July 11, 2020 at 4:19 pm

      5 stars
      Amiga esta espectacular tu receta de adobo. Siempre me es difícil encontrar ese sazón en las especies de aquí. Pero ahora me diste la maravillosa idea de hacer mi propio adobo. Thanks Lola. I love this adobo recipe

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        July 11, 2020 at 4:55 pm

        Martha, Gracias! asi es! Y tambien uno sabe los ingredientes que incluye, mejor hecho en casa!! un abrazo!

        Reply
    3. M.C. says

      October 06, 2020 at 2:22 am

      5 stars
      I have Smoked Paprika from Spain. What is Spanish paprika? Is it the same thing?

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        October 07, 2020 at 8:25 pm

        Hi MC! The recipe already has Smoked Paprika. Spanish paprika is pimentón is a bit sweeter and it has some spice. You can always use regular paprika. Hope this helps! -Lola

        Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        October 07, 2020 at 8:25 pm

        Hi MC! The recipe already has Smoked Paprika. Spanish paprika is pimentón is a bit sweeter and it has some spice. You can always use regular paprika. Hope this helps! -Lola

        Reply
    4. Annie Maldonado says

      October 11, 2020 at 10:05 pm

      5 stars
      This adobo is really good! Thank you for sharing your great ideas.

      Please change “Puertorican” to “Puerto Rican.” From one boricua to another. ♥️🇵🇷

      Reply
      • Hungry Traveling Mama says

        October 13, 2020 at 12:52 am

        hi Annie!
        thank you for stopping by! I appreciate your feedback.
        Lola

        Reply

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    Hola!! Welcome to my pedacito on the internet. La Vida is meant to be enjoyed with a good cup of Café and well seasoned food!

    I love to share my Puerto Rican culture though recipes, stories, libations. I am also a commercial photographer.

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