Homemade Cuban Seasoning Blend | Easy 5-Min DIY
Elevate your dishes with a Cuban seasoning blend—a vibrant mix of garlic, cumin, oregano, and citrus zest that brings a burst of tropical flavor to meats, veggies, and rice!
Jump to RecipeThere is nothing like the perfect spice mix to enhance the right notes and flavors in your food. If you want to bring the tastiness of Caribbean cuisines but cannot find your perfect blend of spices at the local grocery store (or you do not have a local Hispanic market nearby), this Cuban spice blend is a great place to start.
Why Make Your Own Seasoning?
There are many advantages to making your own seasoning. If you are sensitive to any ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (MSG), this allows you to only include ingredients safe for you to consume. In addition, this is a great substitute for Adobo seasoning as well as the packet of sazón, which can contain gluten or additives some individuals might be sensitive to. Lastly, this homemade sazón seasoning makes a great dry rub for your next cookout!
When Can I Use my Cuban Seasoning Blend?
While you can use this spice blend on meats, vegetables, and any meal of choice, there are a few dishes that are perfect for it. Some classics in Cuban cooking include ropa vieja, picadillo, yellow rice, black beans, mojo sauce, and the Cuban steak sandwich. This seasoning blend is the best for any of those dishes.
At the end of the day, this spice mix is comprehensive and adaptable, and can be added to any dish you like. You can even use it as a rub for pork butt and throw it in the slow cooker with some olive oil and vinegar (a common ingredient in the Caribbean to tenderize meat). You will have the most tender and delicious pulled pork ever! For the Puerto Rican version of pulled pork checkout this super easy 3-step pernil recipe!
What Do I Need for My Cuban Seasoning Blend?
The ingredients are simple:
- 3 tbsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- 1 ½ tsp ground coriander
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp paprika (optional)
There are a few different spices you can add to your blend such as ground annatto seeds (common ingredient in the Caribbean) or the dried zest of a citric fruit. Citric acid is a key ingredient in Cuban seasoning, particularly sour orange. Citrus adds a ton of flavor to your food, and it is also a great way to tenderize and marinate meats. Dried zest can be bought at the grocery store and dried lemon zest or lime zest make great additions to this seasoning blend. To make your own orange peel zest, check out this recipe.
The reason I do not add dried zest to my seasoning blend is because I prefer to use the juice of freshly squeezed fruit and marinate the meat with it. In addition, using dried zest limits me to the flavor profile of the one zest added to the blend, whether that is lemon, lime or orange. I like to have the flexibility to choose which citrus to use for each recipe.
Lastly, I did not add salt or black pepper for the same reason as the citrus zest. It is best to be able to adjust the salt and pepper levels for each dish individually. All that said, feel free to play with the flavor profile of your spice blend and make it the perfect balance for you.
How Do I Make My Cuban Seasoning Blend?
First, add all ingredients to a bowl and mix. If you want an even texture throughout your Cuban island spice blend, add the different ingredients to a coffee grinder then press everything to your width of choice. Then, store your spice blend in a jar or airtight container for future use. That is it!
I hope you enjoyed this simple Cuban seasoning blend recipe, and that it becomes a staple in your cupboard. Feel free to share how you made it your own!
As always, ¡buen provecho from The Happy Wookiee!
Homemade Cuban Seasoning Blend | Easy 5-Min DIY Recipe
Equipment
- 1 small mason jar or airtight container
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp dried oregano
- ¾ tsp ground cumin
- 1 ½ tsp ground coriander
- 1 ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp paprika optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and mix. If you want an even texture throughout your Cuban island spice blend, add the different ingredients to a coffee grinder then press everything to your width of choice.
- Store your spice blend in a jar or airtight container for future use.
Notes
- Since citrus is a key ingredient in Cuban cuisine, you can add dried zest to your spice blend if desired. I did not do so because I prefer to use the juice of freshly squeezed fruit and marinate the meat with it.
- I included salt and pepper as optional ingredients for the same reason as the citrus zest. It is best to be able to adjust the salt levels for each dish individually. All that said, feel free to play with the flavor profile and make it the perfect balance for you. You can always adjust the blend to your liking the next time.
