📍 154+ Places to Discover 🏝️ 7 Canary Islands 🧭 84 Areas Mapped
Outdoor table setting with two small bowls of sauce—red mojo and green mojo—beside bread basket, wine glass, tropical lemon beverage, and yellow drink

Canary Islands
— The Green Sauce of Island Cooking

MiguelAlanCS / CC BY-SA 4.0 — via Wikimedia Commons
🧭 Overview

Mojo verde is the Canary Islands’ traditional green sauce, made with coriander, garlic, olive oil and a touch of vinegar. Bright, herbal and refreshing, it is commonly served with papas arrugadas, fish dishes and vegetables.

Mojo verde is the fresh, herbal counterpart to mojo rojo — a green sauce built around coriander, garlic and olive oil. It is lighter and more aromatic than its red sibling, making it a favourite accompaniment to fish, potatoes and vegetables.

Fresh grilled fish with mojo verde sauce served at a beachfront restaurant with views of the Atlantic coast.
Fresh grilled fish with mojo verde sauce served at a beachfront restaurant with views of the Atlantic coast. Photo: Gerda Arendt, CC BY-SA 4.0
Traditional Canarian mojos—vibrant red and green sauces—served at a casual dining table with local refreshments.
Traditional Canarian mojos—vibrant red and green sauces—served at a casual dining table with local refreshments. Photo: MiguelAlanCS, CC BY-SA 4.0

The sauce’s distinctive colour comes from generous amounts of coriander, sometimes blended with parsley. Garlic adds sharpness, while olive oil and vinegar create a smooth, balanced texture. The flavour is bright and refreshing, ideal for dishes that benefit from a lighter touch.

Mojo verde and mojo picante, traditional Canarian condiments made from local peppers and garlic, served at local restaurants and markets.
Mojo verde and mojo picante, traditional Canarian condiments made from local peppers and garlic, served at local restaurants and markets. Photo: Ardo Beltz, CC BY-SA 3.0
Local mojo sauces—the iconic green (Mojo Verde) and red (Mojo Rojo) varieties—are staples of Canarian cuisine available at shops and markets throughout the islands.
Local mojo sauces—the iconic green (Mojo Verde) and red (Mojo Rojo) varieties—are staples of Canarian cuisine available at shops and markets throughout the islands. Photo: Zarateman, CC0

Mojo verde is especially common in coastal restaurants, where it appears alongside grilled fish and seafood. It is also served with papas arrugadas, offering a greener, more herbal alternative to mojo rojo.

Across the islands, the sauce reflects the Canarian approach to cooking: simple ingredients, bold flavours and a strong connection to local produce. For visitors, mojo verde is an essential part of understanding the archipelago’s culinary identity.

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