Badia Mojo Rub is a popular all-purpose seasoning blend that can be used to add delicious flavor to meat, poultry, seafood, vegetables and more. It’s versatility and bold flavor profile makes it a pantry staple for many home cooks and professional chefs. But what exactly is in this zesty rub that gives it such a unique taste? Keep reading to find out the complete list of ingredients that make up Badia Mojo Rub!
Main Ingredients
The main ingredients in Badia Mojo Rub that provide its signature flavor are:
Paprika
Paprika is the ingredient that gives Badia Mojo Rub its reddish-orange color. Paprika is made from ground dried peppers and provides a mild, sweet and slightly smoky taste. The paprika used in Mojo Rub is a combination of sweet, smoked and hot paprika to give it multilayered flavor.
Black Pepper
Coarsely ground black pepper adds heat and a sharp, pungent kick to Badia Mojo Rub. The black peppercorns used are cracked to release their full flavor. The heat from the black pepper balances out the sweetness from other ingredients.
Garlic Powder
Garlic powder provides an aromatic garlicky punch and depth of flavor. Dehydrated, ground garlic powder gives all the taste you expect from fresh garlic, without the texture. It amplifies the overall robustness of the spice blend.
Onion Powder
Like garlic powder, onion powder adds layers of flavor. Dried, ground onion delivers a concentrated flavor that brings out savory, oniony notes in the rub. Onion powder contains sulfides that intensify the overall taste.
Oregano
Dried oregano has an assertive, woodsy flavor that enhances the herbiness of Badia Mojo Rub. Oregano’s minty flavor pairs well with paprika, black pepper and other ingredients. It adds an extra dimension to the blend.
Supporting Ingredients
In addition to the main ingredients, Badia Mojo Rub contains supporting spices and seasonings to round out the flavor profile:
Cumin
Ground cumin adds earthiness and a slightly bitter, nutty flavor. Cumin complements the spices and brings warmth. It’s a common ingredient found in Latin and Tex-Mex seasoning blends.
Coriander
Like cumin, coriander adds a warm, earthy aroma and taste. It has citrus-like undertones that brighten the blend. Coriander is another spice frequently used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisine.
Thyme
The dried thyme in Badia Mojo Rub contributes grassy, herbal notes and a subtle minty-lemon flavor. Thyme works synergistically with oregano to provide layers of herbiness.
Cayenne Pepper
While black pepper brings steady heat, the cayenne pepper really turns up the spice level. Cayenne provides an intense fiery kick that brings everything together. Just a pinch adds back-of-the-throat heat.
Sea Salt
Sea salt balances out the strong flavors and enhances overall flavor. The saltiness helps all the ingredients pop.
Sugar
A small amount of sugar balances the heat and strong spices. Sugar helps mellow the rub slightly so the flavors harmonize.
Nutritional Profile
The exact nutrition facts for Badia Mojo Rub can vary slightly between different production batches. However, the approximate nutritional profile per 1 tablespoon (8 g) serving is:
| Calories | 15 |
|---|---|
| Total Fat | 0.5 g |
| Sodium | 190 mg |
| Total Carbs | 3 g |
| Protein | 1 g |
As you can see, Badia Mojo Rub is very low in calories, fat, carbs and protein since spices contain minimal macronutrients. The sodium content is moderate at 8% of the daily recommended value per serving.
The nutrition is not the main reason people use Badia Mojo Rub. It is the blend of spices and seasonings that give this rub its signature flavor.
Typical Uses
Badia Mojo Rub is extremely versatile. It can be used to add flavor in the following ways:
Meat Rub
Mojo Rub is fantastic as a meat rub on cuts of beef, pork, lamb or game meats. Simply coat the meat evenly with the rub before grilling, broiling, roasting or pan-frying. The spices form a tasty crust while infusing the meat with flavor.
Poultry Seasoning
The blend works great to season chicken, turkey, duck and other poultry. Rub it under the skin or on the exterior before roasting or grilling for delicious results. It also shines when used to flavor chicken wings or drumsticks.
Fish & Seafood
Mojo Rub can be sprinkled on fish fillets, shrimp, scallops or other seafood before cooking. It holds up well to broiling, baking, pan searing and grilling seafood.
Vegetable & Side Dishes
In addition to protein, Mojo Rub excellently seasons roasted or grilled veggies like potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, onions and more. Sprinkle it on avocado, beans, rice or pasta salad.
Stews & Soups
Add it to chili, tacos soup, posole, chicken noodle soup or tomato-based stews. The blend adds warmth and smokiness.
Snacks
Use it to spice up crackers, popcorn, deviled eggs or cottage cheese. Fantastic on roasted chickpeas or nuts like almonds and pecans.
Substitutions & Additions
While the standard ingredients in Badia Mojo Rub deliver an authentic flavor, you can adjust the blend to suit your tastes. Consider the following substitutions or additions:
Chipotle Powder
Adds a deeper smokiness and more heat. Works well swapped for some of the paprika or cayenne pepper.
Ancho Chile Powder
Brings mild heat, raisin-like sweetness and rich flavor. Complements the other spices nicely.
Cocoa Powder
A teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder will add subtle chocolate notes. A creative enhancement option.
Cinnamon
A small amount of cinnamon boosts sweetness and warmth. Pairs nicely with the cumin and paprika.
Cloves
Ground cloves provide a sweet-spicy, aromatic flavor. Add sparingly to complement but not overwhelm.
Allspice
Very versatile for enhancing spice blends. Adds warmth similar to cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Storage
To maintain optimal freshness and flavor, store Badia Mojo Rub in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Properly stored, it will last for 1-2 years before losing potency.
Conclusion
Badia Mojo Rub is a flavor-packed blend that takes basic ingredients like meats and vegetables to the next level. It combines paprika, black pepper, garlic, onion and oregano with supporting spices like cumin, cayenne, coriander and thyme. This combination provides layers of savory, sweet, hot, smoky and tangy flavor. Use it as a dry rub or seasoning on almost anything you cook for extra zing. With its versatility and bold taste, Mojo Rub is a worthwhile addition to any well-stocked pantry or spice collection.