Sofrito: The Beginning of Cuban Food Recipes

I believe strongly in passing down food culture to our children. It’s one easy (and delicious) way to stay connected to our heritage and family legacy. I cook Cuban food recipes for my family all the time, which means that I’m cooking sofrito at least weekly. It’s what my mom did, and her mom did and now what I do for my own kids. When my friends were coming home to the smell of homemade cookies, I walked into an aroma of onions and garlic that so characterizes Cuban recipes. Sofrito is the base of our food and, in a way, a big part of my childhood.

What Is Sofrito?

Cuban sofrito is the base of many Cuban recipes. It’s that special flavor you can’t put your finger on in Cuban food culture. Cuban sofrito sauce is the beginning of your love affair with Cuban food and even now, as my family’s first generation American, it’s in almost everything I cook for my family. Even pizza! Sounds a bit melodramatic? Perhaps. But I dare you to try this homemade sofrito recipe and not lick your lips with anticipation. But exactly what is sofrito? In a nutshell, sofrito is a blend of aromatic ingredients and spices sauteed in cooking oil that is used as a base for other recipes.

How To Make Sofrito

The sofrito ingredients you’ll need are basic but can vary depending on who you’re talking to. When I’m making sofrito Cuban recipe, I use the ingredients below.

• Vegetable oil
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 4-6 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• salt/pepper

Be sure to chop veggies into small pieces. If desired, use a food processor for the onion, garlic and bell pepper. To get started, heat oil in pan over medium/high heat. Cook onion until translucent, and then add garlic. Add the bell pepper and saute until tender. Add all the seasonings and stir until well incorporated. Stir in tomatoes and cook down for 5 minutes or so, or until all their liquid has released. Taste and adjust seasonings.

Cuban Food Recipe with Sofrito

Sofrito is a base for beans, stews, and rice dishes. Some ingredients are not used by cook – like tomato, dry white wine, cumin, bay leaf, and cilantro – but the three ingredients of a classic sofrito are always garlic, onions and bell pepper. They are considered the holy trilogy of Cuban cuisine.

• Ropa Vieja
• Picadillo
• Cuban Arroz con Pollo
• Frijoles Negro
• Cuban Chicken Soap

Where to Buy Sofrito

Just like we don’t always have time to buy pizza sauce or pasta sauce, sometimes we need to buy pre-made sofrito sauce. I get it! No judgment here. However, unlike pizza and pasta sauce, sofrito can be difficult to find at your local grocery store. In fact, you might have to go to specialty Latino stores to find sofrito and similar products. When we didn’t live in Southern California, this is was super annoying because I would have to drive miles and miles to get common Hispanic ingredients. Thank goodness for Amazon Prime, right?! The only pre-made sofrito I buy is Goya Sofrito. While you’re at it, but yourself the Abode seasoning and Sazon seasoning too. Yum, yum!

Yes, Tomato Sofrito Is A Thing!

I have friends who freak out at the mention of tomato sofrito. How dare I add tomato to a Cuban sofrito sauce! Yes, the “Holy Trinity” of Cuban sofrito recipes is actually onion, garlic and bell pepper. At the very root of Cuban food culture, those three ingredients are the base of all Cuban food. But a sofrito, in my Cuban family, includes tomatoes. So I stick to a tomato sofrito and haven’t gotten any complaints yet.

My tip on tomatoes in Cuban sofrito recipes would be to try it! Before starting sauteing La Trinidad, cook down the tomatoes until they break into a sauce consistency. Season with a bit of salt and use as desired in the sofrito recipe.

Actually, The big debate in our family is about whether to add cumin or not. My grandmother does not add cumin to her base sofrito, and only adds it to beef, pork and beans after the sofrito base is made. My mom and I add cumin to our sofrito, and thus to almost every Cuban recipe we make (including chicken and fish). Every cook makes a different sofrito!

Enjoy!