Adobo sauce is a type of hot sauce or marinade used in Mexican and Southwestern cuisines. Adobo is a Spanish word for sauce or marinade, and the dark red adobo sauce is used in many contexts in Mexican food.Its main ingredients are typically chile peppers, garlic, and vinegar, though variations are common. Tomatoes, onions, and a variety of herbs and spices often complete the recipe.eatballs in adobo sauce. Garlic is an ingredient of adobo sauce. Cinnamon is often used to season adobo sauce. Chipotle peppers are often used in abodo sauce. Adobo sauce is a Mexican marinade that often uses apple cider vinegar.