Quick & Zesty Mojo Verde Recipe: Spanish Green Sauce Magic

Mojo verde, a vibrant Spanish green sauce, bursts with herbaceous energy that changes ordinary dishes into culinary masterpieces.

Its roots stretch deep into canarian cuisine, where bold flavors dance across plates with remarkable intensity.

Fresh herbs and zesty ingredients combine to create a condiment that electrifies meals with unexpected brightness.

Green sauces like this showcase the incredible power of simple, quality ingredients working in perfect harmony.

Tangy and refreshing, mojo verde carries the spirit of mediterranean cooking in every verdant spoonful.

Sophisticated yet approachable, this sauce bridges traditional techniques with modern gastronomic creativity.

Cooks who embrace its versatility will unlock a world of exciting flavor possibilities.

Mojo Verde Flavor Journey

• Burst with Fresh Herbal Symphony: This mojo verde dances with vibrant parsley, cilantro, and chives, creating an explosive green sauce that sings with bright, crisp herb flavors in every spoonful.
• Master Quick Culinary Magic: Blending all ingredients in just 3 minutes, this recipe transforms simple herbs and pantry staples into a restaurant-quality sauce that looks and tastes incredibly impressive with minimal effort.
• Versatile Flavor Enhancer: Perfect as a zesty marinade, tangy dipping sauce, or vibrant condiment that instantly elevates grilled meats, roasted vegetables, fish, and even sandwiches with its bold, herbaceous punch.
• Healthy and Nutrition-Packed Delight: Packed with fresh herbs, this sauce delivers powerful antioxidants, zero artificial ingredients, and a low-calorie boost of flavor that makes healthy eating deliciously exciting.

Mojo Verde Ingredient Breakdown

• Parsley: Bright green herb with a clean, fresh flavor that forms the base of the sauce.
• Cilantro: Adds a distinct, citrusy herb flavor with a vibrant green color.
• Chives: Provides a mild onion-like taste and subtle green appearance.

• Garlic Cloves: Brings bold, pungent flavor and depth to the sauce.

• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Smooth base that helps blend ingredients and creates creamy texture.
• Sherry Vinegar: Adds tangy, complex acidic note with Spanish culinary character.
• Ground Cumin: Warm, earthy spice that provides depth and traditional Spanish flavor profile.
• Kosher Salt: Enhances and balances overall taste of the sauce.

Easy Steps for Mojo Verde

Step 1: Chop Herb Mixture

Coarsely chop herbs separately, ensuring each herb is finely cut but not mushy. Measure and combine chopped herbs in a single bowl.

Step 2: Prepare Additional Ingredients

• Garlic cloves
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sherry vinegar
• Ground cumin
• Kosher salt

Peel garlic and have other ingredients ready nearby.

Step 3: Blend Green Sauce

Place all chopped herbs and measured ingredients into a food processor or blender. Pulse and blend until mixture reaches a smooth, pesto-like consistency. Stop occasionally to scrape down sides of container.

Step 4: Taste and Adjust

Sample the sauce and add extra salt or seasonings as needed. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.

Step 5: Store and Serve

Transfer sauce to a clean jar or container. Refrigerate immediately. Best used within 3-4 days for maximum freshness and vibrant flavor.

Serving Suggestion: Excellent as a marinade, dipping sauce, or condiment for grilled meats, vegetables, and seafood.

Mojo Verde Tips for Balance

• Herb Freshness Matters: Use vibrant, crisp herbs just purchased from the market for the most robust and bright flavor profile.
• Chop Consistently: Ensure uniform chopping of herbs to help achieve a smooth, even sauce texture without large herb chunks.
• Garlic Intensity Control: Adjust garlic quantity based on personal preference, starting with fewer cloves if you prefer a milder sauce.
• Vinegar Selection: Choose high-quality sherry vinegar for authentic Spanish flavor, but white wine vinegar works as an excellent substitute.
• Texture Perfection: Pulse ingredients carefully to maintain a slightly chunky pesto-like consistency, avoiding over-processing into a completely smooth puree.

Storing and Serving Mojo Verde

• Refrigeration: Store leftover mojo verde in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Pour a thin layer of olive oil on top to prevent discoloration and maintain freshness.
• Freezing: Transfer the sauce to a freezer-safe container or ice cube tray, leaving some space for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months for later use in marinades, dressings, or as a condiment.
• Reheating: Let frozen sauce thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Stir well before serving, as separation may occur. If needed, whisk briefly to restore original texture and brightness.

What Pairs with Mojo Verde

• Pair with Grilled Seafood: The zesty, herbal notes of Mojo Verde perfectly complement grilled fish or shrimp, cutting through the richness with its bright, tangy flavor profile.
• Match with Roasted Chicken: Drizzle this vibrant green sauce over roasted or grilled chicken to add a fresh, herbaceous kick that elevates the meat's simple flavors.
• Serve with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Albariño or Verdejo from Spain will beautifully echo the sauce's herbal and citrusy undertones, creating a harmonious dining experience.
• Enhance with Crusty Bread: Use the sauce as a dipping condiment for warm, crusty bread, allowing its bold garlic and herb flavors to shine as a delightful appetizer or side.

Mojo Verde with a Twist

• Herb Harmony Blend: Swap chives with fresh mint for a brighter, more refreshing herbal profile that complements the parsley and cilantro.
• Smoky Pepper Kick: Add 1 roasted green chile or 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika to introduce a subtle smoky depth and mild heat to the sauce.
• Zesty Citrus Version: Replace sherry vinegar with fresh lime juice and add orange zest for a tangy, vibrant flavor that enhances the green herbs' freshness.
• Mediterranean Fusion: Incorporate 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or labneh to create a creamier, more substantial sauce with a subtle tanginess.

Mojo Verde (Spanish Green Sauce) Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 33 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

Print Recipe

Description

Green magic from Spain dances on your plate with mojo verde, a zesty herb-packed sauce that elevates grilled meats and vegetables. Packed with cilantro, garlic, and olive oil, this quick condiment brings Mediterranean sunshine directly to your kitchen.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Herbs:

• 2 medium bunches fresh parsley
• 2 medium bunches fresh cilantro
• 1 bunch fresh chives

Aromatics and Spices:

• 3 large or 4 small cloves garlic
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed

Liquids and Oil:

• ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons (90 milliliters) extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) sherry vinegar

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Harvest fresh, vibrant parsley leaves and tender stems, roughly chopping until you accumulate 2 densely packed cups of verdant greenery.
2. Similarly process cilantro, chopping coarsely to yield another 2 packed cups of aromatic herbs.
3. Delicately slice chives into fine segments, collecting approximately 1/4 cup of slender green snippets.
4. Transfer the chopped parsley, cilantro, and chives into a food processor or blender, preparing for transformation.
5. Peel garlic cloves and introduce them into the herbal mixture along with extra-virgin olive oil, sherry vinegar, ground cumin, and kosher salt.
6. Activate the processor, pulsing and scraping down the sides periodically to ensure comprehensive blending of ingredients.
7. Continue processing for 2-3 minutes until the mixture achieves a smooth, pesto-like consistency with finely minced herbs and garlic.
8. Conduct a flavor assessment, adjusting seasoning with additional kosher salt if necessary to enhance the sauce’s vibrant profile.
9. Transfer the mojo verde to a serving vessel, ready to complement grilled meats, vegetables, or as a zesty condiment.

Notes

• Bursting with vibrant green herbs, this zesty sauce transforms ordinary dishes into extraordinary culinary experiences.
• Extremely versatile condiment that pairs beautifully with grilled meats, roasted vegetables, and as a dipping sauce for bread.
• Sherry vinegar adds a distinctive tangy kick that elevates the herbal complexity of the sauce.
• Fresh herbs must be chopped coarsely before blending to ensure smooth, even texture and maximum flavor extraction.
• Pulse ingredients carefully to maintain a pesto-like consistency without over-processing the delicate herbs.
• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks, Dinner
• Method: Blending
• Cuisine: Spanish

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 120
• Sugar: 0g
• Sodium: 220mg
• Fat: 14g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 2g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 1g
• Cholesterol: 0mg