I’ve found a new love affair in the kitchen…
And it’s this homemade Puerto Rican sofrito.
Sofrito is a combination of all things I love to cook with, tossed into a food processor, and pulsed until the most fragrant and delicious seasoning comes to life.
I’ve been cooking with sofrito ever since I can remember, but what I wasn’t cooking with was homemade sofrito and that makes all the world of difference. Some sofrito’s include tomatoes but the Puerto Rican version usually does not. I like to call this Sofrito Raymundo’s Puerto Rican sofrito after a stellar man I know named Raymundo.
Raymundo is Monique’s (one of my besties) dad and yes, they are Puerto Rican. Raymundo makes THE best Puerto Rican food my mouth has ever tasted. Seriously, have you ever had a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving? Um…to die for!
The Story Behind the Name: Why It's Called Sofrito
The term sofritoderives from the Spanish word sofreír, which means “to sauté.” This cooking technique involves lightly frying ingredients to release their flavors and aromas, a method that is essential to many Latin American and Caribbean cuisines. The beauty of Puerto Rican Sofrito lies in its simplicity; it is a blend of fresh vegetables and herbs, primarily garlic, onions, peppers, and cilantro, that serves as a flavor base for countless dishes.
In Puerto Rican culture, sofrito is not just a seasoning; it embodies a tradition of using fresh, local ingredients to enhance the taste of meals. Each family often has its version, making it a cherished part of their culinary heritage. While some variations include tomatoes, the traditional Puerto Rican sofrito is typically free from them.
This version is often called recaito, emphasizing its pure and vibrant flavors. Whether it's used in stews, rice dishes, or marinated meats, sofrito acts as a flavor booster that infuses dishes with an authentic Puerto Rican flair. Its evolution reflects the island's rich history and cultural influences, from the Taino natives to Spanish colonists and African heritage, all of which contribute to the vibrant flavors that define Puerto Rican cuisine today.
Ingredients Used to Make Puerto Rican Sofrito
- 2 large or 3 medium green peppers, seeds removed and quartered
- 2 Spanish onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 head (bulb) of garlic, peeled
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
How To Store Puerto Rican Sofrito
- Fridge: You can store this in the fridge and use it at your leisure for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze: I freeze in ice cube trays. Each cube of sofrito equals about 1 Tablespoon of sofrito seasoning and you can use from frozen by adding it to sautéing veggies or meat or thaw to use as a rub for meat.
Now that you know what is sofrito and how to prepare it, you can elevate your dishes with this essential Puerto Rican seasoning. Alternatively, maybe you can give these Easy 3 Ingredient Steak Marinade for Juicy Grilled Perfection a try!
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the nutrition facts for one serving of Puerto Rican sofrito (2 tablespoons):
- Calories: 20 kcal
- Total Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Total Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Total Carbohydrates: 5g
- Dietary Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Quick Cooking Recipe
- Author: Jen Sharpin | So Damn Delish
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: N/A
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups
Sofrito is the secret ingredient in many Latin Caribbean dishes. It’s super easy to make with peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro, and culantro. Use to season/flavor rice, meat, beans, soups, stews, veggies, practically anything you want!
Ingredients
- 2 large or 3 medium green peppers, seeds removed and quartered
- 2 Spanish onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 head (bulb) of garlic, peeled
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and pulse until combined. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze in ice cube trays.
Notes
- I found the culantro pictured above in the post at my local grocery store (Publix). If you cannot find cilantro, just substitute a bunch of cilantro, for a total of 2 bunches of cilantro.
- 1 frozen sofrito “ice” cube equals about 1 Tablespoon sofrito seasoning.
Hungry for something truly delicious with this Puerto Rican Sofrito? Visit So Damn Delish and dive into a world of irresistible recipes that are simple to make and full of flavor!
Print
Raymundo’s Puerto Rican Sofrito
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 cups 1x
Description
Puerto rican sofrito is super easy to make at So Damn Delish with peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro, and culantro. Use to season/flavor anything you want!
Ingredients
- 2 large or 3 medium green peppers, seeds removed and quartered
- 2 Spanish onions, peeled and quartered
- 1 head (bulb) of garlic, peeled
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 bunch cilantro
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender and pulse until combined. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze in ice cube trays.
Notes
- I found the culantro pictured above in the post at my local grocery store (Publix). If you cannot find cilantro, just substitute a bunch of cilantro, for a total of 2 bunches of cilantro.
- 1 frozen sofrito “ice” cube equals about 1 Tablespoon sofrito seasoning.
Nutrition
- Calories: 20 kcal
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
