What Is Adobo

Adobo, the Spanish word for "dressing," refers to, among other things, a marinade or seasoning made from herbs and spices. It can be prepared as a paste or as a simple mix of dried spices. Though the specific ingredients vary widely from home to home, and from region to region (Mexican adobo includes chile peppers while Filipino adobo includes soy sauce, for example), most adobos include garlic, oregano, and black pepper. 

Though popular in a number of Latin American cuisines, adobo is often associated with Filipino culture; the word is used to describe both the method of cooking and the stewed chicken or pork dish that has become a hallmark of Filipino cuisine. Adobo is widely considered the unofficial national dish of the Philippines.

Adobo can also refer to the tangy and slightly sweet red sauce that comes with canned chipotle peppers.

Though chicken and pork are commonly cooked with an adobo sauce, it's also great on beef and fish. Click here to see some of our favorite adobo recipes.

Kristie Collado is The Daily Meal's Cook Editor. Follow her on Twitter @KColladoCook.