Herbal Citrus Sofrito

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 10 min
🍽 Serves: 8
★★★★★
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If you’re looking to add a burst of vibrant flavor to your dishes, this Herbal Citrus Sofrito is just what you need. It’s a fresh, zesty twist on the classic sofrito, perfect for brightening up any meal. The combination of herbs and citrus makes it a truly unique condiment.

Ingredients for Herbal Citrus Sofrito

Cilantro lends a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that forms the base of our sofrito. The parsley adds a mild bitterness and vibrant green color, balancing the other herbs. Oregano offers a robust, earthy note while basil brings a sweet, aromatic touch. A large onion and green bell pepper provide a savory depth, while garlic adds a pungent kick. The zest and juice from lemons and lime deliver an unmistakable citrus brightness, perfectly complemented by olive oil for a smooth texture. A touch of salt and black pepper rounds everything off.

Tips & Tricks

  • For a smoother consistency, blend for a few extra seconds.
  • If you prefer a spicier kick, add a jalapeño pepper to the mix.
  • This sofrito can be frozen in ice cube trays for easy portioning.

Serving Suggestions

This Herbal Citrus Sofrito is a fantastic marinade for chicken or fish. Stir it into rice or quinoa for a flavor boost, or spoon it over grilled vegetables for a refreshing finish. It pairs beautifully with roasted potatoes or can even be used as a topping for tacos or quesadillas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will this sofrito keep?
Stored in an airtight container, it will keep in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Fresh herbs are recommended for the best flavor, but you can substitute with dried if necessary — just use about one-third of the amount.

Herbal Citrus Sofrito Recipe Walkthrough

Start by gathering all your fresh herbs. Rinse the cilantro, parsley, oregano, and basil under cold water to remove any grit. Once cleaned, pat them dry with a kitchen towel. Now, place these herbs in your food processor. Next, chop the onion and green bell pepper into chunks — no need to be too precise since they’re going into the processor.

Peeled and roughly chop the garlic cloves, adding them to the mix. Grab your zester and work on the lemons and lime, making sure you only take the colorful zest, not the bitter white pith. Juice them, too, then pour both the zest and juice into the processor. Drizzle in the olive oil and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

Pulse everything together until you achieve a coarse paste. You’ll want the mixture to be well-combined but still a bit chunky. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Once you're happy with the flavor, transfer your sofrito to an airtight container. It’s ready to go!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Bright and fresh flavors from a mix of herbs and citrus.
  • Versatile enough to enhance a variety of dishes.
  • Quick and easy to prepare in under 15 minutes.
  • Stores well, making it a great make-ahead option.

Ingredients

1 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup fresh oregano leaves
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 large onion, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
4 cloves garlic
2 lemons, zested and juiced
1 lime, zested and juiced
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine the cilantro, parsley, oregano, and basil leaves.
2. Add the chopped onion, bell pepper, and garlic cloves to the processor.
3. Zest and juice the lemons and lime, then add them to the mixture.
4. Pour in the olive oil, salt, and black pepper.
5. Pulse the mixture until it reaches a coarse paste consistency.
6. Adjust seasoning to taste, adding more salt or pepper as needed.
7. Transfer the sofrito to an airtight container for storage.

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