Flavor-loaded adobo seasoning could be your favorite, but sometimes you may run out of it even without knowing. Therefore, we will share the best adobo seasoning substitutes that give your dishes a comparable flavor.
The best possible alternatives for adobo seasoning include:
- Adobo Paste/ Sauce
- Cajun Seasoning
- Creole Seasoning
- Chili Powder
- Mild Curry Powder
- Greek Seasoning
- Homemade Adobo Seasoning
So, keep reading to learn how these options will help your cooking whenever the original blend is not around.
The 7 Best Adobo Seasoning Substitutes
Flavorful adobo seasoning is very earthy, savory, and salty with the right amount of spiciness if ingredients like chili powder are included. However, this seasoning usually comes together with:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Turmeric
- Ground cumin seeds
- Ground black pepper/ ground white pepper
- Dried oregano
- Salt
We can actually get several viable options that could replicate the taste of this blend. Hence, with slight adjustments, you will be able to save your dishes with these adobo seasoning substitutes.
01-Adobo Paste/ Sauce
Adobo paste or sauce can be considered the closest flavor-alternative to our topic leader. In fact, this option shares the same root with ingredients like:
- Garlic
- Onion
- Black pepper
- Oregano
- Cumin
However, this option also includes additional ingredients like tomatoes, chili peppers (guajillo/ancho/jalapenos/), vinegar, cinnamon, and olive oil. And this is also different in texture since it is smooth and runny, unlike the original blend.
Therefore, you will have to be careful when using this with certain dishes, and it will not be favorable enough to go with dishes like rice. But still, this will work as a great swap as a meat marinade, and it will be huge in flavor!
The amount you substitute will always depend on how and with what you use. Since it offers a similar flavor, you can adjust the taste as you like.
02- Cajun Seasoning
This can be another decent choice if you are used to adobo seasoning with a bit of spiciness and heat.
Because Cajun seasoning typically contains paprika and cayenne pepper in addition to the common ingredients in shares with our topic leader, such as:
- Garlic powder
- Onion Powder
- Black pepper
- White pepper
- Dried oregano
Nevertheless, you won’t get to savor turmeric or cumin in traditional Cajun seasoning. But, in general, the flavor profile matches very well with adobo seasoning so that you can use it, particularly with meat dishes.
Replace in a 1:1 ratio or start with a small amount in the beginning and then proceed as you go.
03- Creole Seasoning
If Cajun seasoning can be a viable option in place of adobo, chances are high that Creole seasoning also can take its place as a substitute. Creole seasoning is similar to Cajun seasoning but has a more herbal undertone.
However, this option also contains the same ingredients like garlic powder, onion powder, black/white pepper and dried oregano together with cayenne pepper and paprika.
You can use it the same way we explained to use Cajun seasoning when swapping.
Food is everything we are. It’s an extension of nationalist feeling, ethnic feeling, your personal history, your province, your region, your tribe, your grandma. It’s inseparable from those from the get-go
Anthony Bourdain
04- Chili Powder
Surprisingly enough, chili powder can still be possible when our topic leader is not around! In fact, we can find chili powder as an ingredient in many adobo seasoning recipes.
Therefore, chili powder alone can play a significant role in terms of replacing the flavor of the original blend.
For this, you will have to use a chili powder that contains ingredients like pulverized red pepper, ground cumin, garlic powder, dried oregano, and salt.
You will not find turmeric, but this option is good to go with most dishes that originally call for adobo seasoning. So use in a 1:1 ratio or start with a small amount and then adjust the quantities as you desire.
05- Mild Curry Powder
There are several varieties of curry powder in the store, so it is much better if you go for a milder version. The reason we say this is that hot curry powders can be overwhelming and could give a totally different flavor from the original blend.
Generally, a mild curry powder option may include turmeric, cumin, garlic, fenugreek, coriander, black pepper, etc.
So, most of these ingredients can be seen in adobo seasoning; thus, you can expect a comparable flavor from this option.
Curry powder can be a possible replacement for vegetables, soups, stews, and most meat dishes. It would be best if you could start moderately and increase or decrease the amount until you get the desired taste.
06- Greek Seasoning
Greek seasoning is a flavor-loaded blend with a vivid flavor profile with similar taste elements to our subject leader. It shares common ingredients like:
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Oregano
- Black pepper
In addition, this option contains many dried herbs like dill weed, parsley, thyme, and marjoram, along with spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. So, you will get a bit more intense taste than you usually savor in adobo seasoning.
However, this option can be particularly better with vegetables, rice dishes and can be incorporated into marinades and rubs. Use a small amount initially and proceed until you get the preferred taste.
07- Homemade Adobo Seasoning
If you have enough time and the required ingredients at home, you don’t actually have to count on other options mentioned on our list. Instead, you can make your own batch of adobo seasoning at home, which will be even better than any store-bought option.
To make this homemade recipe, you will only need the basic ingredients like turmeric, black pepper, ground cumin, onion powder, etc.
Congratulations! You Just Found The Best Adobo Seasoning Substitutes!
As you see, Adobo sauce/paste, Cajun seasoning, mild curry powder, chili powder, etc., are some of the best alternatives that could give a close flavor replication to our topic leader.
They might not provide the exact taste you get from the original blend. But still, they will be good to go with many dishes that call for adobo seasoning.
