AimsSebaceous carcinomas are uncommon malignant cutaneous tumours originating from the pilosebaceous unit. Although its occurrence is mostly common in peri‐ocular glands, other anatomical regions of the head and neck may be affected, including major and minor salivary glands.Methods and resultsWe describe a series of sebaceous adenocarcinomas of the parotid and submandibular glands. The mean age was 62.1 (range = 31–90) years. Two patients (20%) presented regional or distant metastasis to mandible and lungs. All cases were positive for cytokeratins (AE1AE3 and CK‐5), epithelial membrane antigen and adipophilin and negative for androgen receptor, Factor XIIIa, S‐100, vimentin and perforin. MLH1 and MSH2 were expressed in the nuclei of most tumour cells, and one case showed loss of MSH2 expression. Proliferative index (assessed by Ki‐67 expression) and microvessel density (CD34‐positive vessels) were higher in metastasis‐associated cases. P63 expression was noted in the periphery of the tumour nests, in the basaloid cells, with a mean of 69.2% nuclear positivity.ConclusionsThe sebaceous adenocarcinoma of salivary glands is rare and may show an unfavourable outcome; therefore, its correct diagnosis may be challenging. For this reason, immunohistochemical studies, including adipophilin in particular, constitute an important diagnostic tool.