What Is Mojo Rojo Sauce? Origins, Uses & Where to Buy in the UK
- Betty De Arcos
- Sep 2
- 5 min read
What Is Mojo Rojo Sauce?
Mojo Rojo is a Spanish sauce with roots in the Canary Islands, but also found in mainland Spain and even Cuba or the Caribbean. Sometimes called mojo canario, it’s made from red peppers, garlic, spices and olive oil. Some variations have other ingredients too, like our own signature mojo rojo sauce, which includes sherry vinegar, smoked paprika and bread. If you are lucky enough to have been on holiday in the Canary Islands, you have probably enjoyed this sauce along with its green counterpart, mojo verde, which is made with fresh coriander, or the spicy mojo picón made with chilli peppers.
The Origins of Mojo Rojo Sauce
The original settlers in the Canary Islands were from the Portuguese island of Madeira, and they brought their culinary influences with them - in fact, mojo is the Portuguese word for ‘sauce’. The red peppers that give the sauce its name and colour were originally small red peppers known as pimienta picona or pimienta palmera, grown on the island of La Palma, aka "La Isla Bonita" or The Beautiful Island.
Mojo sauces themselves developed as a way to preserve and enhance simple, local foods such as potatoes, fish, and bread. With the arrival of new spices and ingredients via trade routes between Africa, the Caribbean, and Europe, the sauce took on additional flavours like garlic, cumin, vinegar, and later, smoked paprika from mainland Spain. This blending of cultures is part of what makes mojo rojo so unique: it carries influences from Portuguese, Spanish, African, and even Latin American cooking.
Today, mojo rojo remains a key part of Canarian gastronomy. It is served in homes, at traditional fiestas, and in restaurants across the islands, often paired with papas arrugadas, fresh seafood, or grilled meats. Beyond the Canaries, the sauce travelled with emigrants to mainland Spain, Cuba, and parts of South America, becoming a bridge between different food traditions while always remaining deeply rooted in its island origins.
How to Use Mojo Rojo Sauce
Mojo rojo is a mild yet smoky sauce, ideal for serving over papas arrugadas (Canarian potatoes), on grilled vegetables, or as a dip for flatbreads and crudites, as a marinade for chicken, or even as a pasta sauce. In the Canary Islands, you’ll often find mojo rojo served as a starter with fresh bread, or as a dip alongside tapas. At home, it makes a fantastic table sauce that can replace ketchup or chilli sauce when you want something with more depth.
As a marinade, mojo rojo works wonders with chicken, pork, or fish. Simply coat your meat or seafood in the sauce and allow it to rest before grilling, roasting, or barbecuing. The smoky paprika and sherry vinegar cut through rich flavours, while the garlic and cumin add warmth. It’s particularly popular with grilled sardines or tuna steaks, reflecting the fishing heritage of the Canary Islands.
Vegetarians will find plenty of uses too. Try drizzling mojo rojo over roasted vegetables such as aubergine, courgette, or peppers, or tossing it through pasta or rice dishes for an instant Spanish twist. It also works as a dressing for salads and grain bowls, adding colour and a touch of spice.
If you are enjoying mojo rojo at home, you could make your own papas arrugadas for an authentic Canarian dish - see our recipe below.
Authentic Canarian Potatoes - Papas Arruagadas Recipe
Here’s a quick papas arrugadas recipe you can try at home - the traditional Canarian way to enjoy mojo rojo sauce. This deliciously moreish potato dish was originally made by boiling potatoes in seawater until their skins are wrinkled, hence the name, which translates to ‘wrinkly potatoes’.
Ingredients:
2 lbs of new or baby potatoes, skins left on
60g coarse unrefined sea salt (about 4 tablespoons)
Wash the potatoes well, leave the skins on and add them whole to a saucepan. Cover with cold water (leave about 1cm of potato sticking out of the water) and add the sea salt.
Bring to the boil for about 20-30 minutes until all the potatoes are softened - add more water if you need to.
Pour off the water and put the saucepan back on a very low heat to evaporate the remaining water, leaving a light layer of sea salt on the potatoes.
Serve with mojo rojo sauce as a side dish.
Where to Buy Mojo Rojo Sauce in the UK
If you want to make your own Spanish tapas at home with some authentic Canarian sauces, you can get mojo rojo sauce from Castiza! Our mojo rojo sauce is handmade in the UK with fresh red peppers, slowly roasted to bring out their natural sweetness. We then add authentic Spanish smoked paprika made from peppers grown in Extremadura in south-west Spain, which are roasted over oak fires for that distinctive smoky taste. We also add garlic, sherry vinegar, cumin, olive oil, salt and pepper, and bread as a natural thickener. We don’t use any additives or preservatives in our mojo rojo sauce or in any of our sauces, just natural and fresh ingredients. Once you have opened your mojo rojo sauce, store it in the fridge and use it within a week.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mojo Rojo Sauce
What does mojo rojo sauce taste like?
Mojo rojo has a smoky, garlicky flavour with a mild warmth from red peppers and paprika. It’s not overly spicy but has a depth of flavour that makes it versatile for dips, marinades, and sauces.
Is mojo rojo sauce spicy?
Traditionally, mojo rojo is mildly spicy, especially when made with pimienta picona, a small red pepper grown in the Canary Islands. However, many modern versions, including our own, balance smokiness with just a touch of heat, making it suitable for all palates.
What’s the difference between mojo rojo and mojo verde?
Mojo rojo is made with red peppers, garlic, paprika, and olive oil, giving it a red colour and smoky flavour. Mojo verde, by contrast, uses coriander, parsley, and green peppers, resulting in a fresher, herbier taste. Both are traditional Canarian sauces often served with potatoes, bread, or fish.
Can I use mojo rojo as a marinade?
Yes - mojo rojo is excellent as a marinade for chicken, pork, or fish. The vinegar and spices tenderise meat while adding flavour, making it a popular choice for grilling or roasting.
Where can I buy mojo rojo sauce in the UK?
Authentic mojo rojo sauce isn’t always easy to find in UK supermarkets. At Castiza, we make small-batch mojo rojo with fresh roasted peppers, Spanish smoked paprika, and natural ingredients - available to order online here.
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