National Sofrito Day

Categories:: Food & Beverage
Tags:: Cultural Food
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every March 11
Holiday emoji:: 🌶️

National Sofrito Day spices up the calendar every March 11, honoring the vibrant, aromatic base of countless Latin and Caribbean dishes. This essential blend of herbs, spices, and vegetables like peppers, onions, and garlic forms the foundation of stews, rice, and beans. Celebrate by sharing your favorite sofrito recipe, attending a local cookout, or exploring new culinary traditions.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Hero
History
Timeline
FAQs
Importance
Celebrate

Expected National Sofrito Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that specialty grocery stores and Latin markets often feature deals on fresh ingredients like peppers, onions, and cilantro around National Sofrito Day. Look for sales on cooking oils, spices, and even pre-made sofrito from brands like Goya Foods and Badia Spices. Local restaurants specializing in Caribbean and Latin American cuisine may offer special sofrito-infused dishes or cooking classes. Keep an eye out for discounts on cookware perfect for simmering, such as Dutch ovens and large skillets, from retailers like Williams-Sonoma and Sur La Table. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as March 11 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Sofrito Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalSofritoDay. Share vibrant photos or short videos of your homemade sofrito, cooking process, or the delicious dishes it enhances.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #NationalSofritoDay. Film a quick ‘how-to’ video for your unique sofrito recipe, showcasing the chopping, blending, and simmering.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalSofritoDay. Join community groups to swap sofrito recipes, cooking tips, and stories of its cultural significance.

National Sofrito Day Hero

Carmen Aboy Valldejuli

Carmen Aboy Valldejuli (1912–2006) was a renowned Puerto Rican cookbook author whose work significantly documented and popularized traditional Puerto Rican cuisine. Her seminal cookbook, 'Cocina Criolla,' first published in 1954, became a household staple and featured numerous recipes that begin with a classic sofrito base, solidifying its importance in the island's culinary identity. She helped preserve and share the authentic flavors that define Latin American cooking.

History of National Sofrito Day

Sofrito originated in Spain in the 14th century, appearing in one of the oldest cookbooks. When the Spaniards began colonizing the Caribbean and Latin America, they brought the dish. The ingredients were onions with bacon and salt pork. Sofrito is spread across the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Portugal, and Italy. In different countries and regions, the recipe takes on different flavors. Some countries had ingredients that others did not. Socio-cultural differences also played a part in the variety of sofrito recipes.

In the Dominican Republic, sofrito was known as ‘sazon.’ Sazon used vinegar for extra flavor and annatto for color. ‘Recaito’ was Puerto Rico’s version of sofrito. Ingredients included coriander and chili peppers. The Cuban sofrito had lots of tomatoes and red peppers for sweetness and color. They also threw in diced ham. The Brazilians mixed bay leaves into their sofrito, and in Mexico, cumin seeds and jalapenos added a spicy, smoky twist. Portugal’s ‘refogado’ was much more basic, made of minced garlic and diced onion.

Today, sofrito is almost universal. Many countries have versions of sofrito with different names and ingredients. Variants like the French ‘mirepoix’ are made of carrots, leeks, and celery, or the Italian ‘battuto.’ Pre-made Sofrito is sold at grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and food stalls.

National Sofrito Day timeline

1324

The First Sofrito Recipe

The first sofrito recipe appears in a Catalan cookbook, “Libre de Sent Sovi.”

1936

Goya Santo Domingo

Don Prudencio Unanue and his wife, Carolina, open Goya Santo Domingo, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S. that stocks pre-made sofrito.

2013

Tainos Sofrito & Mojo

Vivian Jarrett launches Tainos Sofrito & Mojo, selling homemade sofrito exclusively at farmers’ markets.

2015

Sofrito by Author Philippe Diedrich

Diedrich pens “Sofrito,” a novel about a man who relocates to Cuba to save his struggling restaurant by obtaining a secret chicken dish recipe containing — you guessed it — sofrito.

National Sofrito Day FAQs

When is National Sofrito Day?

In 2027, National Sofrito Day is observed on Thursday, March 11, marking a day to honor the culinary foundation of many Caribbean and Latin American dishes. Prepare to explore new recipes and share your passion for this flavorful condiment.

What are the main ingredients in sofrito?

While the exact ingredients vary by region, a classic sofrito often features green bell peppers, onions, garlic, culantro or cilantro, and ají dulce (sweet chili peppers). Some versions also incorporate tomatoes, annatto oil, or ham for added depth and color.

How is sofrito used in cooking?

Beyond being a base, sofrito can also be used as a condiment or a finishing sauce. It’s essential in dishes like arroz con pollo, sancocho, and empanadas, where its complex flavors are integral. Many cooks also use it to marinate meats or vegetables.

What is the difference between Puerto Rican and Dominican sofrito?

Dominican sofrito, or sazón, frequently includes tomatoes or tomato paste, along with red bell peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro, giving it a reddish-orange color. It tends to be less smooth, with ingredients more finely diced than pureed, and sometimes incorporates vinegar or oregano.

National Sofrito Day Activities

Make sofrito at home
Homemade sofrito is the best because you can choose your ingredients and the amounts used. It also leaves your kitchen smelling delightful.
Try out different kinds
Puerto Rican sofrito is different from Dominican sofrito, and Haitian sofrito is different from Italian sofrito. Try out the different flavors and recipes to see which one is your favorite.
Share recipes
Share some sofrito recipes with family and friends. Everyone should enjoy good food.

5 Tantalizing Facts About Sofrito

It wasn’t always a tomato sauce
Sofrito did not contain tomatoes until Christopher Columbus brought tomatoes to Europe in the 16th century.
Sofrito is an ingredient, not a meal
Sofrito is a cooking base for dishes; it's not a dip, sauce, or spread.
Keep it fresh
Because it uses organic ingredients, sofrito spoils relatively fast; it’ll last about a week before you need to whip up a fresh batch.
It gives you smooth skin
Sofrito contains tomatoes and bell peppers, foods rich in carotenoids, which protect your skin from the sun and wrinkling.
Good for the heart
The garlic in sofrito lowers blood pressure, regulates cholesterol, and prevents cell damage.

Why We Love National Sofrito Day

It’s healthy
Sofrito is purely organic and uses fresh ingredients. It’s a tasty but healthy addition to your recipes.
Packed with flavor
Sofrito adds a kick of flavor and spice to your dishes. Once you taste it in your cooking, you’ll always feel like a meal without sofrito lacks a bit of oomph.
It’s incredibly diverse
There’s a reason sofrito is famous across the Caribbean, Latin America, and the Mediterranean. It’s a diverse dish that’s easily substituted with whatever ingredients you have available, and you can tweak it to suit any soup or sauce of your liking.