The Best Sofrito to Use in Your Next Paella

Having great sofrito means you're on the fast track to great paella. Sofrito is the base magic. I'm going to argue, you need an hour to make it great.

The Best Sofrito to Use in Your Next Paella

There are a lot of reasons to keep a stash of sofrito on hand, but I'm going to focus on one. Having great sofrito means you're on the fast track to great paella. Sofrito is the base magic. Keep it on hand in your refrigerator. Keep it in your freezer. It is the building block of many Spanish, Caribbean, Puerto Rican, Italian, and Latin American dishes, and it is much loved for good reason. It adds complexity and dimension to each dish you couldn't achieve otherwise, and the variations are infinite.
The Perfect Healthy Granola Recipe

Here's the deal. I'm going to argue that you need an hour to make great sofrito. Don’t let anyone tell you any different. Or, allow me to rephrase. You need an hour to make the style of sofrito that makes a paella like this one really wonderful. It requires time, because it is the long gentle sauté that brings out the sweetness of the onions. It's the long simmer that brings together the layered flavors of tomato, rosemary, garlic, and green bell pepper. I've tried quick versions, and I've taken shortcuts when pressed for time - the resulting paella, just isn't as good.

Other Uses for Sofrito

You can use sofrito as more than a cooking base. It's delicious in its own right! It can have an unctuous jammy consistency perfect spread across a slab of hearty garlic toast, or dolloped as a finishing touch on a bowl of risotto. It's great as the base for quick dressings that you can use to toss things like grilled asparagus, or broiled broccoli, or roasted cauliflower. Once you have a jar on hand, it becomes the essence of fast flavor, and your best weeknight friend.

The Perfect Healthy Granola Recipe
Storing Sofrito

My main advice - double the recipe. This means you should have enough sofrito for four rounds of paella. Cook, and then, after cooling, freeze half of your sofrito for later use. Use the other fresh, unfrozen half within the week.

Fresh Tomatoes or Canned?

You can use either! I've included amounts for both in the recipe below. If I have a glut of summer tomatoes, I use those. If canned tomatoes are more convenient, they work wonderfully as well. Go ahead and experiment. I find the fresh tomatoes put off more liquid, but work nicely.

Special Equipment

I like to avoid when possible special equipment when possible, and this is one of those cases. Many sofrito recipes have you run the cooked tomato mixture through a food mill or processor, both steps I avoid. I've found that grating the tomatoes on a box grater is a bit more work up front, but results in a consistency I like without any special equipment.

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Sofrito

4.32 from 61 votes

This makes enough sofrito for two pans of paella. If you know you want to make paella regularly, double this recipe and you’ll have weekly paella for a month. The sofrito can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen.

Ingredients
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, minced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 green bell pepper, seeded, and minced
  • 1/2 cup red wine (or white)
  • 2 28- ounce cans of whole tomatoes, drained, cored, and grated on a box grater OR 2 pounds of ripe tomatoes, grated on a box grater
  • 1 sprig rosemary
  • scant 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
Instructions
  1. To make the sofrito, heat the oil and gently cook the onions, not allowing any browning, until translucent and soft, 8 -10 minutes. Add the garlic, and the green bell pepper, and cook until these soften and fall apart a bit.

  2. Add the wine, and allow to the alcohol to evaporate - a few minutes. Stir in the tomatoes, the rosemary and salt. Simmer gently, over very low heat, for 50 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste, and season with more salt, to taste. Remove the rosemary. Allow to cool, then store in the refrigerator, until ready to use.

Serves
10
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 15 mins
 
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4.32 from 61 votes (55 ratings without comment)
Recipe Rating




Comments

Thank you for the recipe and precious tips! When you say this recipe is enough for 2 pans of Paella, how big is the paella pan?5 stars

Czarina

    Hi Czarina – basically you can make this paella two times. Hope that makes sense.

    Heidi Swanson

I took some liberty with this recipe and added more onion and bell pepper and garlic. The rosemary gives it an amazing smoky flavor with depth and complexity. I made a shrimp and chorizo paella using the basic steps described on this website and it is the BEST paella I’ve ever made thanks to the sofrito. Amazingly flavorful. Looking forward to using up the rest of the sofrito with scrambled eggs and other things. HIGHLY RECOMMEND using this recipe for your next paella.5 stars

Natcookie

These recipes are exquisite!5 stars

Adam Brezik

This is my go-to recipe for sofrtio, so thanks for sharing! I make a double batch, put in 1 cup containers, and freeze it to make paella (of course) and on anything craving a bit of smokiness. It makes a fab base sauce for patatas bravas, lentil and rice dishes, stews, and all sorts of beans.5 stars

Jackie

    Yes! It’s one of those “while you’re at it” situations where it make sense to make double or triple. Thanks Jackie!

    Heidi Swanson

Can I use a can of crushed tomatoes instead?

Serge

    Hi Serge – the texture will be a bit different, but give it a go!

    Heidi Swanson

OMG Absolutely amazing. Took my paella to the next level5 stars

Maria Langley

I made this sofrito and OMG! You were right! I should have made double then! I went ahead and made the vegetable paella….. and it brought me straight back to my summers in Ibiza where we use to eat at a Paella Rest. I loved! Thank you. I am making it again and again!5 stars

Millie Alvizua

Does that say 2 (28 oz) cans of tomatoes? I am making this now and looks like a lot in relation to the quantities of other ingredients.

Helaine

    Yes – exactly Helaine!

    Heidi Swanson

Could you use red pepper instead of green? Thanks

Renne

    Hi Renne – sure!

    Heidi Swanson

this looks awesome! question: is it hard to grate canned tomatoes? arent they too soft to grate?

Leah Neiman

    Hi Leah, not really? I just kind of run them along the grater…Give it a try!

    Heidi Swanson

Great info on doubling it and freezing it! I love paella and will definitely be back to check y ours out tomorrow!

Carissa Nelson | Spoonful of Easy

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