Best Marinades and Grilling Sauces from Puerto Rico

Puerto Rican cuisine is famous for its variety of flavours and ability to combine fresh and tropical ingredients into delicious and flavorful dishes. Adobos and sauces are an essential part of the island’s gastronomy, and they are commonly used to season meats, poultry, and fish before grilling.

Adobos are usually composed of a blend of herbs and spices, such as garlic, onion, oregano, pepper, and cumin, combined with oil, vinegar, or lemon juice to create a paste or marinade.

On the other hand, sauces are generally a mixture of liquid ingredients, such as tomatoes, onions, chillies, cilantro, and lime, that are combined to create a liquid mixture used as a condiment for the meat.

The marinades and grilling sauces can be as varied as the people who prepare them, and each family has their secret recipes and preferences. In Puerto Rico, it is common to find many that include local ingredients such as pineapple, mango, and guava, giving the dishes a tropical flavour.

How to Prepare a Good Marinade for Grilled Meats

Preparing a good marinade for grilled meats is simple, but it requires some time and planning. This is one of the simplest recipes for preparing a classic Puerto Rican marinade for grilled meats:

The required ingredients are:

• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• Salt to taste

Once all ingredients are gathered, proceed to follow these steps:

• Mix the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
• Add the olive oil and vinegar and mix well.
• Add salt to taste and mix well.
• Pour the mixture over the meat you want to grill, completely covering the meat with the marinade.
• Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight for a more intense flavour.
• Grill the meat at the desired temperature, flipping it occasionally and basting it with more marinade while it cooks.

This marinade is ideal for meats such as chicken, beef, and pork, but you can experiment with other ingredients and create your marinade blend to try with different types of meats.

The Best Sauces to Accompany Your Grilled Foods in Puerto Rico

Sauces to accompany grilled foods are a fundamental part of the local cuisine. Here are some of the best sauces to complement your grilled dishes:

Mojo Criollo

This is a classic garlic sauce commonly used in Puerto Rico. Mix 8 garlic cloves, 1 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of lemon juice, 1/2 cup of vinegar, 1 tablespoon of oregano, and salt to taste in a food processor. This one is great for marinating meats and to use it as a salad dressing.

Chimichurri

Although its origins are in Argentina, chimichurri has become a popular sauce throughout Latin America, including Puerto Rico.

Mix 1 cup of chopped fresh parsley, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon of oregano, 1/4 teaspoon of cumin, 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper, and salt to taste in a food processor. It is a great option for accompanying grilled meats.

Pineapple and Chipotle Sauce

This sweet and spicy sauce is perfect for accompanying grilled chicken and pork. Mix 1/2 cup of chopped fresh pineapple, 2 canned chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and salt to taste in a food processor.

Avocado and Jalapeño Sauce

A creamy sauce used by many to complement grilled meat and tacos. Mix 1 ripe avocado, 1 seedless jalapeño, 1/4 cup of chopped fresh cilantro, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and salt to taste in a food processor.

Tamarind Sauce

This tangy-sweet sauce is another of the best options for marinating and accompanying grilled meats. Mix 1/2 cup of tamarind pulp, 1/4 cup of honey, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, 1/4 cup of olive oil. Do not forget to salt to get a better flavour.

How to Make the Classic Recipe for Seasoned Grilled Meats

Criollo adobo is a blend of spices and seasonings commonly used in Puerto Rico to season grilled meats. Here is the most classic recipe for preparing criollo adobo:

The ingredients needed are:

• 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon salt

Follow these steps to prepare it:

• Mix the garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, and black pepper in a medium bowl.
• Mix well with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and orange juice.
• Add the salt and mix well.
• Pour the mixture over the meat you wish to grill, completely covering the meat with the adobo.
• Let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight for a more intense flavour.
• Grill the meat to the desired temperature, turning occasionally and basting with more adobo as it cooks.

Criollo adobo is ideal for meats such as chicken, beef, and pork, but you can experiment with other ingredients and create your adobo blend to try with different types of meats.

How to Marinate Meat with Puerto Rican Adobo

Marinating your meats with Puerto Rican adobo is an excellent way to add flavour and tenderness to your meat dishes. Here are some tips for marinating your meats with Puerto Rican adobo to get the best dish:

• Select the right meat: choose cuts with a good amount of fat that is not too thick. Meats with higher fat content will better absorb the flavours of the adobo and be juicier and more tender after grilling.
• Make enough sauce: prepare enough adobo to completely cover the meat. Usually, a recommended amount is 1/4 to 1/2 cup of adobo per pound of meat.
• Marinate the meat for the right amount: let it marinate for at least 2 hours, although it’s best to let it sit overnight. You can marinate the meat for longer if you want a more intense flavour.
• Massage the adobo into the meat: once you’ve added it to the meat, massage the mixture to ensure it’s completely covered.
• Keep the meat refrigerated while marinating: to prevent contamination and the growth of bacteria, it’s important to keep the meat refrigerated while it’s marinating. Store the meat in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
• Use the adobo as a sauce: when the meat is grilled, you can use the leftover adobo to serve with the meat. Simply boil the adobo over medium heat for 5 minutes to eliminate bacteria and serve as a hot sauce.

By marinating your meats with Puerto Rican adobo using these tips, you’ll get juicy, tender meat full of authentic flavour.

Conclusion

Puerto Rican marinades and grilling sauces are well known for their delicious variety. From the classic adobo criollo to spicy ají sauces, these recipes have been passed down from generation to generation and are an essential part of Puerto Rican culinary culture.

With our shared tips and recipes, you can prepare authentic and delicious adobos and hot sauces that will complement your grilled meats and other dishes. Whether cooking for a party or a family dinner, these unique and traditional Puerto Rican flavours will satisfy your guests.

Explore and experiment with different adobos and sauces to discover your favourite flavour combinations and enjoy Puerto Rican cuisine’s unique culinary experience.