Quick answer: Adobo seasoning is a Latin and Caribbean all-purpose dry blend built on garlic, oregano, black pepper, onion and a citrus note. It is the everyday workhorse seasoning of Puerto Rican, Dominican and wider Latin American kitchens: sprinkled on chicken, pork, beef, fish, beans and rice before cooking. Costack Adobo Seasoning with Pepper is the UK-made version with extra cracked black pepper.
The full definition
The word adobo comes from the Spanish adobar, meaning to marinate. Over centuries it split into three different things that share one name:
- Adobo seasoning (this guide): the Latin-Caribbean dry blend in a shaker. Garlic-forward, savoury, citrus-warm.
- Filipino adobo: a cooking method, not a spice. Meat braised in soy sauce, vinegar, garlic and bay.
- Spanish and Mexican adobo: a wet marinade or paste, usually chilli-based.
If a recipe says "season with adobo", it almost always means the dry blend.
What is in adobo seasoning?
- Garlic: the lead. Adobo is a garlic-first blend.
- Oregano: the herbal signature.
- Black pepper: warmth and bite.
- Onion: savoury depth.
- Turmeric: golden colour.
- Citrus (lemon or lime): the bright finish.
- Salt: the carrier.
The Costack blend uses garlic, salt, oregano, black pepper, onion, turmeric, citric acid from lemon, and cumin, with the pepper turned up. The full ingredient list is printed on the label and listed on the product page.
What does adobo taste like?
Savoury garlic first, then oregano, then a citrus brightness that keeps it from tasting heavy. With the extra cracked pepper in the Costack version, it finishes with real warmth. It is bold without being hot, which is why whole households cook with it daily.
How to use adobo seasoning
Chicken thighs (the classic)
1 tablespoon of adobo plus olive oil, massage into thighs, rest 30 minutes, then grill or pan-fry. Crispy, garlicky, golden.
Slow-roast pork shoulder
Dry-rub the shoulder generously the night before. Slow-roast 4 hours. The garlic-oregano crust is the point.
Beans and rice
1 teaspoon into the simmer transforms black beans, kidney beans, or a pot of rice and peas.
Fish
Dust white fish fillets both sides, sear 3 minutes per side. The citrus note loves fish.
FAQ
Is adobo seasoning spicy?
No. It is savoury and garlicky with pepper warmth, not chilli heat. Add Cameroon pepper if you want fire.
Is adobo the same as all purpose seasoning?
Close cousins. Adobo is garlic-and-oregano led with a citrus note. All purpose is paprika-and-herb led. Most kitchens end up using both for different dishes.
Is adobo seasoning the same as Filipino adobo?
No. Filipino adobo is a braising method with soy and vinegar. Adobo seasoning is a Latin dry blend. Same word, different things.
What can I use instead of adobo seasoning?
Mix garlic powder, oregano, black pepper, onion powder, turmeric and salt. Or skip the measuring and use a pre-mixed jar.
Where can I buy adobo seasoning in the UK?
Direct from costack.uk, free UK delivery on orders over ยฃ35. Ships worldwide to 188 countries including the USA, duties and taxes shown upfront at checkout.
Try it tonight
Get Costack Adobo Seasoning with Pepper. Garlic-forward, citrus-bright, vegan. Every ingredient listed on the label.
