My Secret Ingredient for Making Weeknight Meals Taste Incredible (I Reach For It Every Day!)

If there’s one thing you’ll always find in my freezer, it’s sofrito. Traditionally featuring a blend of cilantro, onion, garlic, peppers, and recao (commonly known as culantro), sofrito makes the perfect herbaceous base for practically any savory dish. I was first introduced to it not through my own family, but through the families (especially the mamás, abuelas, and tías) of many of my friends. It’s a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine, and you’ll find it in many of the island’s most popular dishes, including everything from arroz con gandules and pasteles to sancocho and pastelón. And ever since I started incorporating it into my own cooking, I’ve never looked back.  

Now, as any abuela will tell you, the key to the perfect sofrito is to make it yourself because nothing beats homemade. And you know what? They’re right! I have been on a quest to find a store-bought sofrito that rivals that of my own for years now, with no such luck. That is, until I came across a find that finally lives up to my expectations: Loisa’s sofrito. 

Created to make high-quality sofrito accessible for everyone, Loisa’s sofrito is truly the best in the game. Made only with natural ingredients, this 12-ounce jar is filled with cilantro, culantro, tomatoes, bell peppers, ajicito dulce peppers, onions, garlic, olive oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon, and a blend of seasonings including organic oregano and turmeric for the most authentic sofrito this side of San Juan. And like the rest of Loisa’s products, its sofrito is also vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, and keto- and Paleo-friendly. 

Now, don’t get me wrong — I love making my own sofrito, but there are some admitted downsides (namely, storage space and expiration). As someone with a smaller refrigerator, I need to save all the freezer space I can — something that my sofrito containers take up a good amount of. Not to mention, the homemade stuff only lasts six months. Loisa’s sofrito, however, is shelf-stable (perfect for pantry storage!) and comes in a compact jar that I don’t have to worry about storing in my fridge until I open it (and go through quickly). 

While the convenience of Loisa’s version is definitely a big part of why I love it, the main reason is simple: flavor. Now, I’ve been a fan of Loisa ever since it launched its natural rendition of sazón and adobo (two staple seasonings you’ll find in any Hispanic household), so I had high hopes of its sofrito living up to its reputation. Reader, I’ve tried many store-bought sofritos — and this is the closest thing I’ve found to the homemade thing. It’s fresh, it’s rich, and, best of all, it makes all of my food taste like the foods my friends and their families shared with me as a child. How do you beat that?

Average rating: 5/5 stars

“After years of store-bought sofrito, with the occasional fresh from my mom, this is as good as homemade. When you open the bottle the aroma is so fresh and the difference in the food is very noticeable. I love this!” —Terri

“These are a great option for when I run out of my homemade stash. It is made with healthy ingredients and adds great flavor to my dishes!” —Elena

“These sofritos are full of flavor and make every meal an easy task.” —Barbara

Ready to put Loisa’s sofrito to the test? It comes in a pack of two, and you can pick up this set of your new soon-to-be staple for just $24 when you shop it today ($19.20 if you decide to subscribe)! And in case you weren’t aware, the brand also just launched two new additions to the sofrito line: sofrito rojo (traditional sofrito jazzed up with olives, capers, and extra tomatoes for a Spanish twist) and recaito (a more culantro-forward version of the original) so you can experiment with even more flavors in the kitchen. Loisa is here to take over your kitchen — and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll let the delicious flavor wave take you away.  

Buy: Loisa Sofrito (2-Pack), $24