01.13.2022
The Spice Blend Our Experts Are Obsessed With Right Now
Learn how to use Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning: marinades, guacamole tips, taco combos, and how to add heat or umami for bold flavor.
- Salt-Free Adobo is a mild, sodium-free blend with garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, and chiles that works across meats, beans, veggies, and dips.
- Use it as a base then add heat or umami to taste: smoked paprika, chipotle, aji amarillo, soy sauce, or tamari all pair well.
- Easy applications include marinades (overnight for roast pork), a dash in guacamole, taco rubs, bean pots, and crispy roasted potatoes.
Great minds do think alike. A lot of passionate cooks work at The Spice House, and we started noticing many of us have been cooking with our Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning lately. This sodium-free blend is an excellent all-purpose seasoning for meats, stews, roasted veggies, rice dishes, and even as a guacamole enhancer.
We asked our spice experts what they love most about adobo and how they cook with it. Below you will discover some tasteful inspiration and simple recipes for this spice blend. If you have a favorite way to use this blend, leave us a comment below!
Carefree Fajitas
Stephanie Schultz, Wholesale Accounts Specialist
What I love most about our Salt-free Adobo is that it's not only salt-free, but also not spicy. This means I'm in control of the sodium and heat level. I love to add in some Aji Amarillo or Cayenne if I want some heat. It's my go-to for my "lazy" cooking days when all I can muster is making fajitas. Saute some veggies with this and maybe a tablespoon of Chipotle or Pasilla de Oaxaca paste and you've got an easy, delicious dinner!
Secret Guacamole Ingredient
Lonnie Romero, Culinary Specialist
Adobo is one of my household staples. It is used a lot. I love that it is earthy and robust, the taste of garlic, onions, and Greek oregano are very present. I use it to season my burgers, fries, taco salad, and it is an integral component in my guacamole.
Simply Complex
Alex Wilkens, Director of Product and Sourcing
In our kitchen, Salt Free Adobo continues to be in heavy rotation year after year. It's simple, fresh, and because it's salt free you can add complexity to recipes by adding umami rich ingredients like soy sauce instead of salt. Adobo and soy seasoned chicken breasts make regular appearances in weekday salads or burrito bowls. On the weekend I like to use the extra time to really get some flavor going with an overnight marinade. My go-to for pork shoulder is a Cuban-style mojo from orange juice, lime juice, Adobo seasoning, kosher salt, and olive oil. Out of the long soak and into the slow cooker, Sundays smells tend to be my favorite.
Tacos Sans Sodium
Joe Goltz, Customer Service Manager
For a no-salt taco seasoning, I recommend the Salt-Free Adobo blend with some Smoked Sweet Paprika and a small boost of additional Ground Cumin and our Roasted Granulated Garlic. If you like it spicier, use Smoked Hot Paprika or some Ground Chipotle for great results.
The Best Beans, Every Time
Geoff Marshall, Web Content Manager
Adobo is one of my go-to bean seasonings. Nothing is better than a simmering pot of pinto beans and the adobo aroma of cumin, Mexican oregano, and chiles. It's also a great marinade for carne asada, grilled chicken, or any taco meat. I just whisk together freshly squeezed lime juice, oil, minced garlic, and adobo seasoning. Works every time and I always get compliments on the carne asada.
Top Recipes for Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning
Vegan Tempeh Tacos
The secret savory component to this dish is the chipotle chiles. Their smoky depth adds a delicious and hearty flavor to these adobo-spiced tacos.
Fresh Guacamole
The only secret to good guacamole is using fresh ingredients. That...and a dash or two of Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning.
Adobo Black Beans
Adobo seasoning is usually for grilled chicken and pork, however it makes the perfect seasoning for a simple pot of beans.
Adobo Skirt Steak
Marinated skirt steak is a Spice House barbecue classic. This skirt steak recipe is great for tacos and the marinade also works well for chicken or pork.
Crispy Adobo Potatoes
A simple and satisfying side dish for both breakfast and dinner. An excellent way to present a pork loin for dinner is upon a bend of these potatoes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning?
It is a sodium-free spice blend built on garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, and mild chiles. The mix is earthy and robust but not salty or hot by itself, so you control salt and heat.
Is Salt-Free Adobo spicy or salty?
By default it is not spicy and contains no salt. That makes it a neutral, flexible base you can leave mild or build heat and saltiness to taste.
How can I use it in guacamole?
Add a dash or two to mashed avocado with lime and fresh ingredients. The adobo adds savory depth. Start small, taste, and add more if you want a stronger garlic or oregano note.
What is a simple adobo marinade for carne or chicken?
Whisk lime juice, oil, minced garlic, and Salt-Free Adobo. A good starting ratio is about 2 tablespoons lime and 2 tablespoons oil per pound of meat plus 1 teaspoon adobo. Marinate 30 minutes for chicken, 1 to 4 hours for beef, or overnight for larger cuts.
How do I make a Cuban-style mojo for pork shoulder?
Combine fresh orange juice, lime juice, Salt-Free Adobo, kosher salt, and olive oil. Marinate the pork overnight, then slow cook or roast. The citrus brightens and adobo provides earthy, savory backbone.
How do I add heat or more complexity to the blend?
To add heat, mix in cayenne, ground chipotle, smoked hot paprika, or aji amarillo. For extra complexity or saltiness, add soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos. Use low-sodium options if you want less salt.
What dishes work best with Salt-Free Adobo and any quick tips?
It shines on tacos, fajitas, grilled meats, beans, roasted vegetables, potatoes, burgers, and tempeh. For fajitas, sauté veggies with the blend and a spoonful of chipotle or pasilla paste. For tacos, add smoked sweet paprika, extra cumin, and roasted granulated garlic. For beans, season early and simmer so the flavors meld.
How should I store Salt-Free Adobo and how long does it stay fresh?
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. Stored properly, it stays flavorful for about 1 to 2 years, though aroma and potency slowly decline over time.
What is Salt-Free Adobo Seasoning?
It is a sodium-free spice blend built on garlic, onion, oregano, cumin, and mild chiles. The mix is earthy and robust but not salty or hot by itself, so you control salt and heat.
Is Salt-Free Adobo spicy or salty?
By default it is not spicy and contains no salt. That makes it a neutral, flexible base you can leave mild or build heat and saltiness to taste.
How can I use it in guacamole?
Add a dash or two to mashed avocado with lime and fresh ingredients. The adobo adds savory depth. Start small, taste, and add more if you want a stronger garlic or oregano note.
What is a simple adobo marinade for carne or chicken?
Whisk lime juice, oil, minced garlic, and Salt-Free Adobo. A good starting ratio is about 2 tablespoons lime and 2 tablespoons oil per pound of meat plus 1 teaspoon adobo. Marinate 30 minutes for chicken, 1 to 4 hours for beef, or overnight for larger cuts.
How do I make a Cuban-style mojo for pork shoulder?
Combine fresh orange juice, lime juice, Salt-Free Adobo, kosher salt, and olive oil. Marinate the pork overnight, then slow cook or roast. The citrus brightens and adobo provides earthy, savory backbone.
How do I add heat or more complexity to the blend?
To add heat, mix in cayenne, ground chipotle, smoked hot paprika, or aji amarillo. For extra complexity or saltiness, add soy sauce, tamari, or coconut aminos. Use low-sodium options if you want less salt.
What dishes work best with Salt-Free Adobo and any quick tips?
It shines on tacos, fajitas, grilled meats, beans, roasted vegetables, potatoes, burgers, and tempeh. For fajitas, sauté veggies with the blend and a spoonful of chipotle or pasilla paste. For tacos, add smoked sweet paprika, extra cumin, and roasted granulated garlic. For beans, season early and simmer so the flavors meld.
How should I store Salt-Free Adobo and how long does it stay fresh?
Keep it in a cool, dry, dark place in an airtight container. Stored properly, it stays flavorful for about 1 to 2 years, though aroma and potency slowly decline over time.
Comments