Goya sofrito is a key ingredient in Puerto Rican and other Latin American cuisines. It is made from a mix of chopped vegetables that have been sautéed in olive oil. The vegetables usually include onions, garlic, peppers, recao (culantro), cilantro, tomatoes, and sometimes ajices dulces (sweet peppers). Sofrito serves as the flavorful base for many Puerto Rican dishes. When simmered with other ingredients, it infuses them with its rich, aromatic essence. From stews to beans to meats, sofrito brings a depth of flavor and makes dishes taste authentically Puerto Rican.
Types of Goya Sofrito
Goya makes several varieties of pre-made sofrito that you can purchase in cans or packets. These allow you to skip the prep work of chopping all the vegetables yourself but still impart that classic sofrito flavor. The varieties include:
- Recaito – The original Goya sofrito made from a mix of culantro, cilantro, ajices dulces, and onions.
- Cilantro – Sofrito focused on cilantro flavor.
- Criollo – Made with tomato for added sweetness.
- Spanish style – A sofrito that uses paprika for a distinctive flavor.
- Green – A verdant sofrito packed with cilantro and culantro.
Within these varieties, Goya makes sofrito in mild and spicy versions to suit different tastes. The canned sofrito comes in both large 28oz cans and smaller 8oz cans for versatility. The paste packets are very convenient for squeezing out just the amount you need.
Meat Dishes
One of the most common uses for Goya sofrito is to flavor meat dishes. It adds a big punch of flavor to simple dishes like baked chicken thighs or pork chops. You can make an easy marinade by combining sofrito with olive oil, vinegar, and garlic. Allow meat to marinate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors penetrate. The sofrito also nicely seasons the pan drippings, which can then be used to make an accompaniment like rice, beans, or potatoes.
For heartier meat stews and braises, add 1-2 tablespoons of sofrito right to the cooking liquid. Let it simmer for at least 30 minutes to meld the flavors. It’s excellent in Puerto Rican classics like pollo guisado (chicken stew), carne guisada (beef stew), and pernil (roasted pork shoulder). The slow cooking allows the sofrito to break down and infuse the whole dish with its essence.
Recommended Meat Dishes
- Chicken thighs
- Pork chops
- Ropa vieja (shredded beef)
- Stews
- Chili
- Picadillo meat filling
Rice and Beans
No Puerto Rican meal is complete without rice and beans. Sofrito is the secret ingredient that makes these side dishes really sing. For rice, stir a tablespoon or two of sofrito into the water before adding the rice. As the rice cooks, the sofrito flavor will infuse the grains. For extra flavor, use this sofrito rice water to cook beans in. The beans will take on delicious flavor as they simmer away. You can also add sofrito right at the end to hot cooked rice and beans.
Recommended Rice and Bean Dishes
- Arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas)
- Arroz blanco (white rice)
- Moros y cristianos (rice and black beans)
- Habichuelas (red beans)
- Lentils
Soups and Stews
Adding Goya sofrito is a quick trick to bring Puerto Rican flair to soups and stews. It can lend its characteristic flavor to classics like chicken noodle soup, beef chili, and vegetable lentil soup. Use 1-2 tablespoons sofrito per 6-8 servings of soup. Stir it into the hot liquid early in the cooking process so the flavors have time to develop fully. For stews, mix the sofrito into the cooking liquid along with the meat and vegetables. It will add richness and a depth of flavor as the stew simmers. Sofrito transforms basic soups and stews into something special.
Recommended Soups and Stews
- Puerto Rican asopao (thick chicken and rice soup)
- Black bean soup
- Beef stew
- Lentil soup
- Chicken and sausage gumbo
- Vegetable soup
Vegetable Dishes
Don’t reserve sofrito just for meat dishes! It also brings delicious flavor to veggies. For example, add sofrito to pan fried potatoes or plantains for a taste of the islands. Mix it into sautéed greens like kale or chard. You can even use it in veggie-based dishes like ratatouille or stuffed peppers. A small amount of sofrito packs a punch of flavor that elevates basic vegetables to something special.
Recommended Vegetable Dishes
- Roasted potatoes
- Sautéed greens
- Stuffed peppers
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Grilled vegetables
- Ratatouille
Eggs and Breakfast
Looking to add Puerto Rican flair to your morning meal? A bit of sofrito is amazing with eggs. For scrambled eggs, add a spoonful while cooking to infuse them with flavor. To upgrade an ordinary omelet, include some sofrito in the filling. You can mix it into a breakfast hash or casserole too, for an easy way to spice up plain potatoes. Even breakfast proteins like sausage and bacon can benefit from a touch of sofrito in the pan. It’s a simple way to make breakfast taste like the islands, no matter where you live.
Recommended Breakfast Dishes
- Scrambled eggs
- Omelets
- Breakfast hash
- Breakfast casserole
- Sausage or bacon
Seafood
The robust flavor of sofrito stands up well to assertive seafood. Mix a spoonful into chilled seafood salad made with shrimp or crab to liven it up. For heartier fish stews and paellas, stir in sofrito right at the start of cooking. The longer it simmers, the more flavor it will impart. Drizzle sofrito over grilled or baked fish fillets for an instant flavor boost. Even mild white fish like tilapia or cod get a kick from the addition of sofrito. A little goes a long way to infuse seafood with Puerto Rican zest.
Recommended Seafood Dishes
- Seafood salad
- Fish stew
- Paella
- Baked fish
- Grilled shrimp
- Crab cakes
Dips and Sauces
Liven up homemade dips and sauces with a spoonful of sofrito. For a quick chip dip, combine sofrito with sour cream or Greek yogurt. Turn ordinary mayo into sofrito aioli with garlic and a hit of this flavorful sauce. Add it to pasta sauce for a taste of the Caribbean. Mix it into salsa verde for an addictive tangy, herby dip for tortilla chips. Swirl some into hummus or bean dip too. Sofrito brightens up any creamy dip or sauce.
Recommended Dips and Sauces
- Sour cream dip
- Yogurt dip
- Mayonnaise/aioli
- Pasta sauce
- Salsa verde
- Hummus
- Bean dip
Pizza and Flatbreads
Sofrito is amazing for bringing Latin flair to pizzas and flatbreads. Spread a layer over the dough before adding other toppings. For pizzas, it pairs especially well with ingredients like chorizo, jalapeños, pineapple, onions, and cilantro. You can also top flatbreads with sofrito, black beans, shredded chicken, and cheese for a Puerto Rican twist. Drizzle a little over your pizza after baking for an extra punch of flavor. Sofrito’s versatility makes it perfect for customizing pizzas and flatbreads.
Recommended Pizza and Flatbread Toppings
- Chorizo
- Jalapeños
- Pineapple
- Onions
- Cilantro
- Chicken
- Black beans
- Cheese
Sandwiches
Take ordinary sandwiches up a notch with the addition of sofrito. Slather it onto sandwich bread or rolls in place of condiments like mustard or mayo. For heartier fillings like meat or beans, mix a spoonful of sofrito right in. You can even use it as a flavorful spread on wraps in place of regular hummus or baba ganoush. A little sofrito infuses sandwiches with the irresistible flavor of Puerto Rico. It’s especially delicious paired with ingredients like chicken, steak, pork, beans, cheese, and tomatoes.
Recommended Sandwiches
- Cuban sandwich
- Pork sandwiches
- Chicken sandwiches
- Cheesesteak
- Wraps
- Quesadillas
- Tacos
- Burgers
Snacks
Looking for a quick snack? Sofrito can spice up anything from crackers to popcorn. Spread it onto crackers for an instant flavor upgrade. For chips and crackers, mix sofrito with sour cream or Greek yogurt for a tasty dip. Stir a spoonful into cheese dip or queso to liven things up. You can even top baked potatoes with sofrito, cheese, bacon, and green onions. Drizzle it over popcorn or nachos before serving for irresistible Latin flair. A hit of sofrito makes snacking a whole lot more interesting.
Recommended Snacks
- Crackers
- Chips and salsa
- Cheese dip
- Popcorn
- Nachos
- Baked potatoes
Cooking with Goya Sofrito
When cooking with Goya sofrito, keep these tips in mind:
- For the most authentic flavor, use Goya sofrito as a base at the start of cooking. This allows time for the flavors to fully develop.
- Just a small amount packs a big punch. For most dishes, 1-2 tablespoons is plenty for 6-8 servings.
- Mix it into hot liquid to help the flavors bloom – soup, stew, rice water, etc.
- Add it early when making beans – the simmering helps infuse the beans with flavor.
- Saute with aromatics like garlic and onions to add depth.
- Can be added at the end for a quick burst of flavor on finished dishes.
- Start with less sofrito, you can always add more. It’s easy to overdo it!
Benefits of Goya Sofrito
Beyond its delicious flavor, sofrito offers a few benefits:
- Packed with nutrients – Since it’s made from vegetables, sofrito provides antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.
- Adds lots of flavor – Just a spoonful can make an entire dish taste amazing without extra salt or fat.
- Saves prep time – No need to chop a veggies, just open a packet or can.
- Brings authentic Latin flavor – It’s a convenient way to make home cooking taste like the islands.
- Very versatile – It can be used to flavor a wide variety of savory dishes.
How Long Does Goya Sofrito Last?
An unopened packet or can of Goya sofrito will last for a very long time in the pantry. Once opened, it’s best to store sofrito in an airtight container in the fridge. Here are some general guidelines for how long it lasts:
| Goya Sofrito | Refrigerator | Freezer |
|---|---|---|
| Opened can | 3-4 weeks | 6 months |
| Opened packet | 2-3 weeks | 6 months |
To extend its shelf life, portion sofrito into small containers and freeze what you don’t use right away. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Conclusion
Goya sofrito is one of the most versatile ingredients in Puerto Rican cuisine. Just a spoonful can infuse meals with bright, aromatic flavor. It’s easy to incorporate into everything from meats to eggs, sandwiches, snacks, and more. Keep a packet or can on hand, and you’ll always be ready to give dishes a little Latin flair.