A staple in Puerto Rican cuisine, recaito and sofrito are the heart of many traditional dishes. While often used interchangeably, they have a key distinction. Recaito is the raw, uncooked herb and vegetable blend that infuses dishes with fresh flavor. Once sautéed in oil, often with tomato sauce, it transforms into Puerto Rican sofrito, a richer base used in stews, beans, and rice dishes. Whether you’re making a classic sofrito sauce or looking for a green sofrito variation, this sofrito recipe is a must-have in any kitchen.
Puerto Rican Recaito or Sofrito Recipe
Recaito / Sofrito Recipe
Equipment
- 1 Cutting Board For chopping the ingredients.
- 1 Sharp Knife To roughly chop the onion, bell pepper, and herbs.
- 1 Food Processor or Heavy-Duty Blender To blend the ingredients into the right consistency.
- 1 Spatula or Spoon To scrape down the sides of the blender/processor and mix the ingredients evenly.
- 1 Airtight Container or Ice Cube Tray For storing the home made sofrito in the fridge or freezer.
Ingredients
- 1 Large Yellow Onion Peeled.
- 1 Large Green Bell Pepper Cored and seeded.
- 2 Bunches Fresh Cilantro or Recao (Saw Leaf) Including stems.
- 8 Garlic Cloves Fresh and peeled.
Instructions
- Roughly chop all ingredients.1 Large Yellow Onion, 1 Large Green Bell Pepper, 2 Bunches Fresh Cilantro or Recao (Saw Leaf), 8 Garlic Cloves
- Using a food processor or heavy-duty blender, add the garlic and pulse until finely chopped.8 Garlic Cloves
- Add the onion and bell pepper, processing until finely chopped.1 Large Yellow Onion, 1 Large Green Bell Pepper
- Add a handful of cilantro or recao, blending until finely chopped. Repeat until all the cilantro and recao are incorporated.2 Bunches Fresh Cilantro or Recao (Saw Leaf)
- The final mixture should have a pesto-like consistency. If it appears too watery, add more cilantro or recao.
Notes
How to Store Home Made Sofrito
For convenience, store your home made sofrito in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. For longer storage, freeze it in an ice cube tray. These sofrito frozen cubes can be dropped directly into dishes as needed, making meal prep even easier.
How to Use Puerto Rican Sofrito in Cooking
This Puerto Rican sofrito recipe is the foundation of many island favorites. Use it to flavor rice with sofrito, beans, soups, and meat dishes. It’s a key ingredient in Puerto Rican recipes with sofrito, such as arroz con gandules, habichuelas guisadas, and pollo guisado.
ENJOY!
Whether you prefer green sofrito for its fresh herbal flavor or sofrito sauce for a more developed taste, this sofrito recipe is essential for any Puerto Rican kitchen. With just a few simple sofrito ingredients, you can bring the authentic flavors of Puerto Rico to your home-cooked meals. Try this recipe today and elevate your cooking with the bold, aromatic taste of Puerto Rican sofrito!
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