Dominican Sofrito (Sazón)
- By: Lucy
- Updated: February 13, 2026
- No Comments
This authentic Homemade Dominican Sofrito, also known as sazón, is a flavorful blend of fresh herbs, peppers, garlic, and onions. Use it to season your beans, soups, meats, and stews—it's a kitchen essential that saves time and adds a lot of flavor.
Want to know the secret behind unforgettable Dominican dishes? It all starts with the seasoning (sazón). This Dominican Sofrito (Sazón) recipe is packed with garlic, bell peppers, onion, cilantro, and culantro—blended into a vibrant, flavor-loaded base. It’s the heart of classic meals like pollo guisado, habichuelas guisadas, and moro de guandules. Once you make this easy, all-purpose seasoning at home, you’ll never go back to store-bought. And the best part? It’s freezer-friendly and perfect for meal prep!
In the Dominican Republic, sofrito is often referred to as sazón, and its ingredients can vary based on personal preference. Some people add vinegar, olive oil, or oregano to enhance the flavor, while others keep it simple with just the essentials. I love adding extra cilantro and garlic because I enjoy those flavors. I also prefer to use yellow, red, and orange peppers in my sazón recipe.
Inside This Post
Why You'll Love this sofrito Recipe
- Time-Saving: Pre-made sazón cuts down on prep time.
- Customizable: Add or omit ingredients to suit your taste or dietary needs.
- Versatile: Use it for seasoning meats, rice dishes, or creating stews.
- Fresh and Homemade: replaces store-bought seasoning blends.
What You Will Need for the sofrito
Each ingredient in this Homemade Dominican sazón plays a key role in creating its bold and balanced flavor:
Cilantro: adds a fresh, citrusy brightness
Culantro (Cilantro Ancho): provides a deeper, earthier flavor than cilantro
Red Onion: brings sweetness and rich flavor, plus adds a pop of color to the blend
White Onion: gives a milder, slightly sweet note that helps balance out the stronger ingredients.
Bell Peppers: (red, green, yellow, and orange) enhance taste by adding sweetness, a bit of earthiness from the green pepper, and beautiful color
Garlic Cloves: a non-negotiable—it gives a bold, savory flavor
Extra-light Olive Oil: provides richness and helps the sazón blend beautifully.
Step-By-Step Instructions
1. Prepare Your Ingredients:
- Wash and roughly chop the cilantro and cilantro ancho.
- Dice the onion and bell peppers into medium-sized pieces.
- Peel the garlic cloves. I soak the garlic in water for about 20 minutes to make it easier to peel.
2. Blend It Together:
Add all ingredients to a food processor or blender.
Pulse the ingredients to break them down, then blend until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. I prefer a smooth yet slightly chunky texture.
3. Storing It:
Put the sofrito into mason jars or airtight containers.
Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze in portions (using an ice cube tray works great) for up to two months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sazón the same as sofrito?
In Dominican cooking, the terms are often used interchangeably. While “sofrito” is more common in Puerto Rican and Cuban cooking, Dominicans usually say “sazón” when referring to this homemade seasoning mix.
How do you store Dominican sazón?
You can store Homemade Dominican Sazón in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze it in ice cube trays or small jars. It’ll last up to 3 months in the freezer.
Can I make this sazón without culantro?
Yes. If you can’t find culantro, you can use more cilantro. The flavor won’t be as deep or earthy, but it will still make an amazing sazón
Do I need to cook the sazón before using it?
Nope! Dominican sazón is added at the beginning of cooking. It infuses your dish with rich, aromatic flavor as it simmers alongside your ingredients.
Can I use a food processor or blender to make sazón?
Yes! A blender or food processor makes it easy to blend everything into a smooth or chunky paste, depending on your preference. Add a little olive oil or water to help it blend evenly.
What recipes can I use Dominican sazón in?
This sazón is very versatile. Use it to make pollo guisado, habichuelas guisadas, moro, locrio and chicharrones de pollo just to name a few. It’s also perfect for soups, stews, and a great addition to other marinades.
Dominican Sofrito (Sazón)
This authentic Homemade Dominican Sofrito, also known as sazón, is a flavorful blend of fresh herbs, peppers, garlic, and onions. Use it to season your beans, soups, meats, and stews—it's a kitchen essential that saves time and adds a lot of flavor.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Food processor or blender
- Mason Jar or airtight container for storage
Ingredients
- 1 white onion
- 1 red onion
- 1 yellow pepper
- 1 orange pepper
- 1 red pepper
- 1 bunch culantro
- 1 ½ bunch cilantro
- 1 ½ heads of garlic (cloves separated and peeled)
- 2-3 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Optional but highly recommended: Break apart the 2 heads of garlic into individual cloves. Place the unpeeled cloves in a bowl of water and let them soak for 10–15 minutes. This makes peeling the garlic much easier and faster.
- Drain the soaked garlic cloves and peel off the skins.
- Roughly chop the onions, peppers, cilantro, and culantro.
- Add the peppers, onions, cilantro, culantro, garlic, and olive oil to a food processor and blend until smooth. Tip: Don’t overfill the food processor; add ingredients in batches if needed to help it blend smoothly. If the mixture is too thick, add a small splash of water to loosen it up. I like to aim for a pesto-like consistency.
- Pause to scrape down the sides of the food processor as needed to ensure everything is evenly blended.
- Transfer the blended sofrito into clean mason jars or airtight containers.
Notes
-
Ingredient Swaps:
Use extra cilantro if culantro is not available. You can replace bell peppers with cubanelle peppers or aji dulce. -
Texture Tip:
I like my sofrito with a pesto-like texture. Adding a splash of water or a bit of extra olive oil if needed helps it blend smoothly. - Storage Suggestions:
Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in an airtight jar.
For longer storage, freeze in ice cube trays, then transfer to a freezer bag.
(Each cube is about 2 tablespoons, the perfect portion for adding to stews, beans, or meats!) -
Versatile Use:
Sofrito is a flavor booster for just about everything. Feel free to customize it with ingredients your family loves, it’s all about making it work for your kitchen. -
Tip:
Double the recipe and freeze it. You’ll thank yourself on busy nights when dinner needs to come together quickly.
Nutrition
Calories: 436kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 29g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Sodium: 31mg | Potassium: 1186mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 9044IU | Vitamin C: 545mg | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 3mg
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Lucy
Mom, wife, educator, and the heart behind Mom, What Did You Make? Inspired by my son’s daily question, this blog began as a way to share our favorite Dominican recipes and has grown into a space for food, family, and advocacy. Here, you’ll find recipes that honor our culture, parenting insights shaped by 15 years of teaching experience, and resources to help families feel supported and empowered.
