What is it?

Adobo is a tangy, slightly sweet, Mexican red sauce often comprised of tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, and spices. Chipotle chiles (dried, smoked jalapeños) are often sold canned in adobo sauce. The chipotles have an intense smoky chile heat but the sauce on its own has a slightly less fiery smoky heat.

The Spanish word adobo means “marinade” or “seasoning,” but depending on what part of the world you’re in, the style of seasoning can vary greatly. In Cuba and Puerto Rico, adobo is a seasoned salt or spice mix, whereas in Mexico, it’s more likely to mean a spicy tomato-based sauce. The Filipino style of adobo, which involves stewing meat, usually pork or chicken, in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, and black peppercorns. When Spanish colonists arrived in the Philippines in the 16th century, they were introduced to this indigenous style of cooking, which they called adobo. The name stuck, and to this day, adobo—with its Filipino/Malayan roots and Spanish name—is considered a national dish of the Philippines.

Cross Reference

chipotles in adobo

Recipes

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  Recipe

  Baby Romaine Salad with Spicy Chicken & Warm Chipotle Vinaigrette

  A warm vinaigrette brings the sauté and the greens together, giving the finished dish the dressiness of a composed salad and the simplicity of a one-pot meal.

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  Recipe

  Spicy Southwestern Bloody‑Mary

  We like to add a shot of vodka, but for those who might not want such a strong drink, this is delicious “virgin” style, without the alcohol. Add the adobo…

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  Recipe

  Sweet Potato & Chile Hash with a Fried Egg

  In this quick dish, you've got some options. In the mayonnaise, it's best to use homemade salsa or the adobo sauce from a can of chiles in adobo. If you're pressed for time,…