Sofrito is a flavorful blend of fresh herbs and vegetables, including peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro, and culantro (cilantro ancho). It is used extensively in Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Sofrito serves as a foundational seasoning for many beloved, traditional dishes. Its versatility and convenience make it my favorite meal prep hack.
In the Dominican Republic, sofrito is often referred to as sazón, and it can vary in ingredients 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.
What I Love About This 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
- 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.
3. Store for Later:
- Put the sazón into mason jars or airtight containers.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or freeze in portions (using an ice cube tray) for up to two months.
How to Use Sofrito in Your Cooking
Dominican sofrito is incredibly versatile and can be used to enhance almost any dish. Here are some suggestions:
- Rice and Beans: Stir a spoonful into your pot for an instant flavor boost.
- Meats: Use it as a marinade or seasoning base for chicken, pork, or beef.
- Stews and Soups: Add it to dishes like sancocho, asopao or soup for a rich, savory taste.
- Sauces: In small quantity, incorporate it into tomato-based sauces for pasta or seafood.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I skip cilantro if I don’t like it?
Cilantro is my favorite ingredient in sofrito, but you can omit it or substitute it with another herb of your preference.
2. How long does sofrito last?
Refrigerated sofrito lasts up to two weeks, and frozen portions can stay fresh for up to two months.
3. What’s the difference between cilantro and culantro?
Cilantro has delicate, bunched leaves and a mild taste, while culantro has long, serrated leaves and a stronger, more earthy flavor. Culantro really enhances the flavor of soups and stews.
Dominican sazón/sofrito, is the “secret sauce” behind the delicious flavors of many Dominican dishes. I will be using these terms interchangeably through this blog. Sazón is an aromatic blend of fresh ingredients that is a staple in almost all my dishes. I promise you that this recipe will be your go-to base for infusing your dishes with incredible taste, whether you’re cooking rice and beans, seasoning meats, or making a hearty stew.
Sofrito is a flavorful blend of fresh herbs and vegetables, including peppers, onions, garlic, cilantro, and culantro (cilantro ancho). It is used extensively in Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine. Sofrito serves as a foundational seasoning for many beloved, traditional dishes. Its versatility and convenience make it my favorite meal prep hack.
In the Dominican Republic, sofrito is often referred to as sazón, and it can vary in ingredients 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.
- 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
Each ingredient in this Dominican sazón recipe plays a crucial role in creating its bold and balanced flavor.
- Cilantro: is the star ingredient in sofrito, cilantro adds a fresh and citrusy brightness.
- Culantro (Cilantro Ancho): Has a stronger, earthy flavor, culantro brings depth to the mix.
- Red Onion: Adds sweetness and richness to the blend. While some prefer white or Spanish onions, red onions are my favorite for their bold flavor.
- White Onion: Provides a milder, slightly sweet taste.
- Bell Peppers ( Red, Green, Yellow, and Orange): Using a mix of these peppers enhances both the flavor and color of the sofrito. Each variety contributes a unique sweetness and vibrancy.
- Garlic Cloves: Lots of garlic is essential for that bold, savory taste.
- Extra-light Olive Oil: Helps blend the ingredients smoothly and adds a touch of richness to the sofrito.
- 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.
In another bowl, beat the eggs and then whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
Pour the wet ingredients and melted butter into the dry ingredients. Give it a gentle stir—just enough to bring everything together. Overmixing can make your pancakes dense instead of fluffy. The batter will be on the thicker side, but if it feels too thick, go ahead and add a splash of milk to loosen it up.
Using a ¼ or ⅓ measuring cup, pour the batter onto the preheated griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set. Flip and cook for another 1-2 minutes until golden brown—your fluffy pancake recipe is almost ready to serve!
Serve the pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings. I love maple syrup and fresh berries, but whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes fantastic additions.
My boys love helping me make pancakes—it’s one of their favorite weekend traditions! Pancakes are a great recipe to get kids involved in the kitchen. Here are some practical and safe ways your child can help you make this dish:
- Pour and Measure Ingredients: Your child can assist you by measuring the flour, sugar, baking powder, and flaxseed using measuring cups and spoons. This is an excellent way to practice basic math and fine motor skills.
- Whisking the Batter: Your little helper can stir the dry ingredients or gently mix the wet and dry ingredients using a whisk or spoon.
- Crack the Eggs: If your child is older and you are brave enough, let them try cracking the eggs into a separate bowl. It’s messy initially, but it helps them build confidence and independence.
- Set the Timer: Designate your child as the official “pancake flipper assistant” by setting a timer for when to check for bubbles or flip the pancake. This builds time awareness and executive function skills.
- Taste Tester: Once everything is cooked and plated, let them take a bite and rate the pancake from 1 to 10. It’s a fun way to engage their senses.
The Best Fluffy Pancakes
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Whisk or mixing spoon
- Spatula
- Griddle or non-stick skillet
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups milk
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1-2 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- avocado oil spray
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, sugar, salt, and ground flaxseed.
- In another bowl, beat the eggs and then whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, and almond extract. (If you really like vanilla flavor add 2 tsp of vanilla extract)
- Pour the wet ingredients and melted butter into the dry ingredients and gently mix until just combined. It’s okay if the batter is a bit lumpy, over-mixing can make the pancakes tough. If the batter is too thick, add a little more milk until you reach the desired consistency.
- Preheat your griddle or a large non-stick skillet over medium heat. Lightly grease with avocado oil spray. The griddle should be hot but not smoking.
- Using a ¼ cup measuring cup, pour the batter onto the preheated griddle. Cook until bubbles form on the surface and the edges look set.
- Flip and cook for another minute until golden brown.
- Serve the pancakes immediately with your favorite toppings. We love classic maple syrup and fresh berries, but whipped cream, or even a sprinkle of powdered sugar makes fantastic additions.
Nutrition
1. Make sure you are using fresh baking powder.
2. Do not overmix the batter; it is okay to have lumps in it.
3. Let the batter rest for a few minutes before cooking.
Yes! Swap the milk for almond, oat, or coconut milk and use vegan butter or oil instead of regular butter.
My favorite way to reheat these fluffy pancakes is to place them on a microwave-safe plate and cover them with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat them for 20-30 seconds; if needed, continue heating in 10-second increments until hot. When reheating a large batch, put them in the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and place the pancakes in a single layer on a baking sheet. Heat for 5-7 minutes or until warm
You can easily take this fluffy pancake recipe to the next level with these delicious toppings:
- Caramelized apples and cinnamon
- Greek yogurt and granola
- Honey and sliced almonds
- Peaches and cream
- Coconut Flakes and pineapple
- Mixed berry sauce and powdered sugar