Kirby’s Mojo Criollo 354ml | Cuban Citrus-Garlic Marinade

Kirby’s Mojo Criollo — Cuba’s Most Beloved Marinade, Now in Australia

Mojo Criollo (pronounced “MOH-ho cree-OH-yo”) is one of the most important sauces in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine. Originating in Cuba and widely used across Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela and the ABC Islands, Mojo is a citrus-based marinade and condiment built on four pillars: garlic, citrus (sour orange or lime), herbs and olive oil. The result is something tangy, fragrant and deeply savoury — a sauce that makes everything it touches taste more alive.

Kirby’s Mojo Criollo is a ready-to-use 354ml bottle that captures this tradition in convenient form. It’s not just a marinade — it’s a dipping sauce, a salad dressing, a basting liquid, and a finishing drizzle. If you’re a fan of chimichurri or chermoula, Mojo Criollo will feel like a natural addition to your sauce repertoire.

Key Facts

• Product Type: Liquid marinade and table sauce (NOT a dry seasoning)
• Brand: Kirby’s
• Volume: 354ml
• Origin Style: Cuban / Spanish Caribbean (Mojo Criollo)
• Flavour Profile: Tangy citrus, garlic-forward, mildly herbaceous — not spicy
• Key Ingredients: Water, Tomatoes, Cane Sugar, Cane Vinegar, Salt, Molasses, Scotch Bonnet Peppers, Garlic Powder, Thyme, Allspice, Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Citric Acid
• Heat Level: Mild — scotch bonnet present but not dominant
• Best For: Pork, chicken, beef, fish, prawns, salad dressings
• Ships from: Sydney, Australia — nationwide delivery

What Is Mojo Criollo?

Mojo Criollo is the unofficial national marinade of Cuba. At its most traditional, it’s a blend of sour orange juice, crushed garlic, olive oil and salt — but in practice, every Cuban household has its own version. Kirby’s interpretation adds tomato, molasses and allspice, bringing a Caribbean depth to the classic formula. The name “Criollo” means “Creole” or “native” in Spanish, distinguishing this New World version from the Canary Islands’ original Mojo sauce.

In Australia, Mojo Criollo is a relatively undiscovered gem — but once you try it on roast pork or grilled barramundi, it becomes a kitchen staple. It also makes an excellent marinade for lamb cutlets (the citrus tenderises beautifully) and a punchy salad dressing when thinned with a little olive oil.

How to Use Kirby’s Mojo Criollo

• As a marinade: Pour over pork shoulder, chicken thighs or beef ribs. Marinate for 2–24 hours. The citric acid tenderises the meat while the garlic and allspice penetrate deeply.
• As a BBQ baste: Brush onto chicken or pork during the last 15 minutes of grilling for a caramelised, tangy glaze.
• As a table sauce: Serve alongside any Caribbean meat dish — pork, chicken, meatloaf — as a condiment.
• With seafood: Marinade prawns or barramundi for 30 minutes before grilling. The citrus and garlic complement Australian seafood beautifully.
• As a salad dressing: Mix 2 tablespoons Mojo Criollo with 1 tablespoon olive oil for an instant Caribbean vinaigrette.

Cuban Roast Pork (Lechón Asado) with Kirby’s Mojo Criollo

The classic use: pour the entire bottle over a 2kg pork shoulder. Marinate overnight in the fridge. Roast at 160°C for 4 hours, basting every hour. In the final 30 minutes, turn up to 220°C to crisp the skin. Serve with yellow rice and black beans for an authentic Cuban feast.

“`

—