Soffritto – fried carrots, onions, garlic and celery is at the centre of many Italian dishes and our homemade soffritto paste is so easy to make. For the best results, it’s cooked slowly and gently; to save time, prepare ahead and freeze in portions.
So many recipes – particularly for Mediterranean cuisines – start with a fried onion, or a variation thereof. Soffritto is the perfect example – a gently fried mix of onion, carrot, celery and garlic. You can buy an expensive pot in the supermarket, but it’s easy and cheap to make yourself.
The Italian soffritto – two fs, two ts, is very similar to the French mirepoix, and like mirepoix, needs to be cooked slowly. Don’t whack up the heat and expect great results in 5 minutes; it needs a low heat, frequent stirring and time. We’re not looking to caramelize the onions; rather cook them until translucent and just starting to colour.
The classic mixture is the four ingredients already mentioned: onion, carrots, celery and garlic. But you can vary things according to what’s fresh, what’s available and what’s in the bottom of your fridge. Leeks, spring onions, parsley stalks, even peppers could easy go into the mix. Yes, purists will throw up their hands in horror, but little things like this can help with reducing food waste.
What is Soffritto?
As mentioned, it’s a mix of onion, carrots, celery and garlic, that have been chopped and then gently slowly fried. Similar to French mirepoix, but very different from the Spanish sofrito (one f, one t); similarly, fried onions and other vegetables used as a base for many dishes but including tomato and spices, frequently paprika.
How do I make Soffritto?
Soffritto is easy to make, but does benefit from time. Chop one large onion, one large carrot, two sticks of celery and two cloves of garlic. Heat two tablespoons of oil in a large frying pan over a medium to low heat, and add the vegetables. Stir frequently; as I said, we don’t want to caramelize the onion, rather cook it until it’s translucent and just staring to colour.
Classically, it would be used as is, straight from the pan. But we like to make soffritto paste by blitzing it in a food processor, or with a stick blender, into a smooth paste, which makes it much easier to keep.
Can I freeze homemade Soffritto Paste?
Absolutely yes! The idea of having enough time to cook everything always from scratch is nice, but not realistic for most of us. We blitz the cooked soffritto with a food processor – a cheap stick blender would do just as well – into a paste, and freeze it in an ice cube tray. It’ll keep in the freezer for a couple of months without any problem.
This recipe makes six tablespoons of soffritto paste. We would make more, but we’re a bit short on freezer space at the moment.
How do I use Soffritto Paste?
For using in the evening and if frozen into cubes, take a couple out of the freezer in the morning and allow to defrost in the fridge during the day. Then use it as fritto paste as a basis for many dishes, Italian and otherwise. Here are a few ideas for using homemade soffritto:
- As a base for soups – both thin, and thicker broths
- The starting point for a risotto
- Stir into hummus and other bean dips
- On toast or oatcakes as a snack
- Stirred into mashed potato for extra flavour
- In a cheese toastie
- As a simple but tasty sauce for homemade pasta.
What special diets is homemade Soffritto paste suitable for?
Soffritto is both vegan and naturally gluten free.
Soffritto - fried carrots, onions, garlic and celery is at the centre of many Italian dishes and so easy to make at home. For the best results, it's cooked slowly and gently; to save time, prepare ahead and freeze in portions.
- 1 carrot large
- 1 onion large
- 2 sticks celery
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
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Scrub (but don't peel) the carrot if needed, and clean the celery. Peel the onion and garlic.
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Cut carrot, celery and onion into small cubes. Crush the garlic.
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Add the oil, celery, onion and carrot to a large frying pan. Place on a low heat. As the pan heats, stir the mixture every couple of minutes. Season well with salt.
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After 10 minutes, add the garlic and stir in.
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Cook for another 10 - 15 minutes until the onion is translucent and just staring to colour.
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Transfer to the smallest jug of a food processor and blitz until a paste. Leave some texture if desired.
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If you don't have a food processor, a blender or stick blender will do equally well. Add a drop or two of water, white wine or lemon juice if needed to help.
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Either use straight away or allow to cool, spoon into an ice cube tray and freeze.
Measurements are approximate.
Use approximately the same weight of onion, carrot and celery, if in doubt have extra onion.
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Albert Bevia
I always start all my dishes with a sofrito, of course I am a Spaniard! but this soffritto also sounds amazing, and yes, the secret is to cook in a low heat, no need to rush here…thank you for the great post and tips on making this :)
Helen
Taking your time is worth it when making this soffritto paste.
Kayleigh
Ive never tried, or even thought of trying, anything like this. I should though, it looks delicious. Is it healthy? x
Helen
Yes Kayleigh, few ingredients and only a little oil.
Jacqueline Meldrum
I’ve never heard of this Helen, I was really interested to see what it could be used for so I was pleased you included that. Nice recipe and gorgeous photos as ever.
Shared!
Helen
Thank you Jacqui.
Lots of ways of using it, so all very versatile.
Anna
I really like the idea of freezing it in the ice cube trays! Genius!
Helen
I love silicon ice cube trays for portioning.
Demeter
Ooh this looks so tasty, love the idea of spreading it on toast! :)
Helen
So tasty and adaptable!
Amy Nash
Such a good idea about making and freezing the paste to save time (and money!). It makes so much sense because it’s no more trouble making a large batch and having some on hand when you are already making some for a recipe. And I appreciate that you aren’t a “purist” about things because I always seem to have something random floating in the fridge like a leek that could get used in this!
Helen
It is so easy to make a large batch of this,I often have to buy celery for something and it ten sits in the fridge and wilts as I don’t especially like it. In soffritto it adds to the flavour, but really doesn’t taste of celery.
K.C.
This is a super seasoning to keep on hand in the freezer. It is akin to the holy trinity in cajun cooking that I use frequently.
Helen
So useful to have handy in the freezer.
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables
Yum!! That looks like such a good thing to have on hand! I’d definitely make a big batch at the start of the week!
Helen
Versatile and so easy to make.
Julia
Love the idea of making homemade soffritto paste! I am all about saving time so making it ahead and freezing for later is definitely the way to go! :) Thanks for the inspiration.
Helen
So handy to have in frozen portions.
Rebecca | AAUBlog
I haven’t ever heard or used of this before, but it sounds like it is pretty versatile in the kitchen. Healthy too!
Helen
Lots of different ways of using it.
Kaz | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels
This looks delicious and so easy to make! Freezing it is a great idea too. Kaz
Helen
Great to have portions in the freezer.
Sarah
This looks really good! Those are pretty much the only vegetables I eat too, so I used them in a lot of cooking!
Helen
Good that you will have the right ingredients to make a start.
Olivia
It sounds like an amazing idea, I’d love to put through some dips! Such a great thing that’s this is also vegan! X
Helen
So simple and easy to make.
Ana De- Jesus
I have just been sent a lot of pasta so I am planning a lot of Italian inspired dishes. I haven’t tried soffrito before but I love that it is vegan friendly .
Helen
I’m sure there are lots of dishes you could use pasta and the soffritto paste in.
Anosa
I was in Italy last week and we bought some of this paste, thanks for the recipe now I can make my own and don’t have to wait for my return visit
Helen
A much more economical way of having soffritto paste.