Jun 15, 20213 min read

So many people ask, What is Sofrito?

Updated: Jan 23, 2022

Sofrito: so·fri·to

/sōˈfrēdō/

noun

noun: sofrito; noun: soffritto

Origin

"a foundation in a Hispanic refrigerator. It is the cooking base that gives our gourmet dishes their distinct flavor, the flavor that sets our culture apart from so many others."

Spanish sofrito, Italian soffritto, literally ‘lightly fried’.

Historical Background and Origins

The word "sofrito" comes from the Spanish language and meaning "to softly cook," as in sauteing or stir-frying. It's a method brought to the Caribbean and Latin America by Spanish colonists beginning in the late 1400s.

Sofrito, on the other hand, is much older. The technique is first mentioned as "sofregit" in the "Libre de Sent Sov," published in 1324. Sofrito has been an ingredient and a technique in Catalan cuisine since medieval times, according to this cookbook from the Catalan region of Spain, which is one of the oldest in Europe.

The derivation of the Catalan word "sofregit," which derives from the verb sofrefir, which meaning to gently fry or under-fried, also has a link to sofrito. The Catalan concept of softly frying means cooking slowly over a low flame.

The first sofregit was simply an onion and/or leek confit with bacon or salt pork added if available. Herbs and other vegetables were eventually added to the mix. Tomatoes were not incorporated into sofregit until Columbus brought them back from the Americas in the early 16th century. Tomatoes, peppers, onions, garlic, paprika, and olive oil are the basic ingredients in today's Spanish sofrito.

Variations from the Caribbean

The colors of sofrito mixes range from green to orange to brilliant crimson. They also come in a variety of flavors, ranging from mild to peppery to spicy.

Sofrito isn't a recipe or a dish in the traditional sense; it's a cooking process. This helps to explain why there are so many social and cultural variances. Different countries and islands have different flavor and ingredient preferences, as well as other socio-cultural distinctions.

🇵🇷 In Puerto Rico, sofrito is known as recaito. Culantro, a spicy herb, and ajies dulces

(sweet chili peppers) are flavor profiles that contribute to the dish.

🇩🇴 Sazon, a Dominican sofrito, uses vinegar for flavor and annatto for color.

🇨🇺 For sweetness and color, Cuban sofrito incorporates diced ham, as well as tomatoes

and red bell peppers.

🇲🇽 The Yucatan region of Mexico, which borders the Caribbean, has its own sofrito recipe

that incorporates habaneros for a fiery kick.

Sofrito can indeed be eaten in as many different ways as there are ways to make it. Because it's usually the first thing that goes into a pot, it can be lightly sautéed to bring out the flavors of the aromatics. In other recipes, the sofrito is sometimes added at the end of the cooking time, and it's also used as a topping sauce for grilled meats and fish.

Sofrito in Three Ways

Here are a few ways to use sofrito into your cooking:

Sofrito is a big part of a Spanish kitchen. It is used to give a specific dish a delightful and tasteful taste. Being used on beans, yellow rice with gandules, stews such as beef stew and chicken stew, soups, it is used to marinate meats and so much more.

1. As a starting point. Use the rich sauce as a base for rice dishes such as paella, fast,

saucy braises, or to season sautéed vegetables. Sofrito can also be used on soups,

stews, and stocks to add a new layer of taste.

2. To use as a filler. Fill crispy empanadas with sofrito-infused chorizo or ground meat.

3. As a condiment. For a quick and tasty breakfast or lunch, use sofrito as a sauce

over rice or fried eggs.

Sofrito is a versatile cooking base that complements any culinary dish, regardless of ethnicity or culture. Sofrito is a must-have kitchen ingredient that everyone should have in their kitchen because of the fresh flavor it adds to any dish. So, what are you waiting for?

Sofrito your Life, Buen Provecho