Chipotle Sofritas Copycat Recipe

Recipe Pin

It’s been a few years since I developed a liking for tofu, and I always find ways to incorporate it into my family’s meals. However, my children are not very fond of it, and the irony is that they love Chipotle Sofritas! That’s because this dish, with its delectable spicy taste, successfully masks the original flavor of tofu.

Therefore, I decided to replicate the recipe at home to feed them a nutritious meal. I found the recipe on the web after some intensive research followed by a bunch of failed trials.

Finally, I was successful at achieving the same flavor at home, and my children also loved it without even realizing that it had tofu in it. The Sofritas are made from cooked and crushed tofu marinated in a sweet and smoky blend that delivers rich, satisfying flavors on its own.

It’s a versatile dish that can be used as a filling for tacos, nachos, or burrito bowls. Moreover, it is hearty enough to stand alone as a complete dish.

So, let’s not waste any more time and dive into the details of this recipe. I’m sure you will fall in love with it, just like my family.

What's In The Post

Equipment Required

Small Bowls: I always keep small bowls with the ingredients ready before starting with the recipe.
Blender: I use a blender to blend all the ingredients to make the marinade and crush the tofu. However, you can also use a food processor.
Sharp Knife: You will need a sharp knife to roughly cut all the vegetables that will go in the blender to prepare the marination.
Sauce Pan: While I use a saucepan to cook the tofu, you can use any frying pan or skillet to cook the tofu.

Chipotle Sofritas Ingredients & Substitutions

Note: The ingredients used in this recipe will help you make 4 servings. However, you can adjust the quantities of the ingredients as per your requirements.

For The Marinade

1 Medium Green Bell Pepper (about ½ cups): To make the dish spicier, you can also substitute poblano pepper for green bell pepper.
1 Medium Tomato Quartered
½ Medium Onion Quartered
½ Cup Water (plus additional water as needed for braising the tofu)
2 Chipotle Chilies: I use smoked paprika, which is the perfect substitute for chilies in this recipe and adds a nice smoky flavor.
2 Tablespoons Adobo Sauce: Usually, I add barbeque sauce to this recipe instead of adobo sauce. You can also use tomato puree with cider vinegar as an alternative.
2 Cloves Garlic: Garlic flakes, powder, granulated garlic, or fennel can be substituted for garlic cloves in this recipe
1 Teaspoon Red Wine Vinegar: Sherry vinegar or white wine vinegar work as good alternatives.
1 Teaspoon Ancho Chile Powder: Guajillo or pasilla chile powder is the perfect alternative for ancho chile powder.
1 Teaspoon Ground Cumin: Ground coriander or caraway seeds can substitute for cumin in this recipe.
½ Teaspoon Dried Oregano: I use dried parsley in this recipe as a substitute for oregano.
½ Teaspoon Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper

For The Tofu

1 Tablespoon Olive Oil: You can also use canola or grapeseed oil.
1 (16 ounce) Package Extra-Firm Tofu Pressed (cut into 8 slices): Tempeh is the best substitute for tofu in any recipe as it is made with similar ingredients.

Preparation And Cooking Time

Preparation Time	Cooking Time	Total Time
10 Minutes	45 Minutes	55 Minutes

How To Make Chipotle Sofritas At Home

Step 1

Blend bell pepper, tomato, onion, cumin, chipotle chilies, adobo sauce, garlic, ancho chile powder, oregano, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and water until slightly chunky. Set aside.

Step 2

Heat oil in a saucepan. Add tofu pieces without overcrowding. Cook on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Step 3

Blend the cooked tofu briefly, then mix it with the marinade. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.

Step 4

Enjoy with rice or your choice of dish!

Expert Tips That I Recommend

I press the extra firm tofu to remove the excess water by placing it between paper towels and placing a heavy object on top. This ensures that the moisture is absorbed, and the tofu is cooked sooner in the pan.
Cutting the tofus evenly is something that I do to make sure that they are all cooked evenly.
I also prefer adding the tofu to the marinade while letting it simmer in the pan for a while. It ensures that the tofu is coated well with the marinade sauce, which thickens in the pan.
You can experiment with the ingredients, adding additional spice, a dash of lemon juice, or any seasoning to suit your taste and preferences.
Always use a non-stick pan for frying the tofu as it helps prevent sticking and ensures even cooking.
I always ensure that tofu should be cooked on a non-stick pan as it enables proper browning without burning, allowing the tofu to become crispy while preventing overcooking.

FAQs About Chipotle Sofritas

Why are your Chipotle Sofritas bland in taste?

If you haven’t let the tofu marinate long enough or used old spices to season your marinade, your sofritas will have a bland taste. So, always ensure that you use fresh, high-quality spices for seasoning and let the tofu sit for at least 30 minutes in the marinade.

Why are your Chipotle Sofritas too watery?

The watery consistency in your sofritas can result from moisture released from the tofu or from blending the vegetables completely without leaving them chunky. However, you can fix the issue by simmering the mixture for a while in a pan until the moisture is completely evaporated or it reaches the desired consistency.

Why are your sofritas too dry?

Overcooking the tofu or not adding enough marinade can result in dry sofritas. You can fix the dryness of sofritas by adding a splash of water or additional marinade to the dish.

How can I know if the tofu has gone bad?

A tofu that has gone bad will have a slimy texture and a rotten or sour odor to it. It will have a dark tan or a brown color, or you may also see a discoloration.

Can I use regular tofu instead of extra firm tofu to make Chipotle Sofritas?

Yes, you can use regular or silken tofu as an alternative. But extra firm tofu is considered the best choice for making the sofritas as it gives a better texture and holds its shape better.

Can I prepare the marinade in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the marinade in advance, but store it in the refrigerator for enhanced flavor.

Can more vegetables be added to the Sofritas?

Yes, you can customize the dish as you like by adding vegetables like sweet corn, spinach, zucchini, or mushrooms.

How can I make my Sofritas more spicy?

You can make the Sofritas more spicy by adding additional chipotle chiles or fresh jalapenos. You can add as much as your spice tolerance level allows.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

Chipotle’s Sofritas is a healthy dish that can be enjoyed often. It consists of a mix of veggies and tofu that are packed with nutrition.

Take a look at the full nutritional profile of this recipe in the table given below.

Calories	128 Kcal
Carbohydrates	10g
Protein	10g
Fat	6g
Saturated Fat	1g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g
Monounsaturated Fat	3g
Sodium	88 mg
Potassium	348 mg
Fiber	3 g
Sugar	5 g
Vitamin A	525 IU
Vitamin C	30 mg
Calcium	58 mg
Iron	2 mg

Chipotle Sofritas are suitable for people following a vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, or keto diet.

Recipe Variations For Different Diets

People following a sodium-free diet can use nu-salt or Himalayan pink or black salt in this dish, which is suitable for their diet.

Storing And Reheating This Recipe

Storing

Refrigerator: I store the leftovers of this recipe in an airtight container in the fridge. This way, they last for up to 3 days.
Freezer: If you want the leftovers to last longer, you can freeze them instead. This dish can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. I always label the leftovers when I freeze them to avoid mishaps. However, allow the dish to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Microwave: I place the leftovers in a microwave-safe dish and reheat them for 1 minute, followed by 30 second intervals until they are warmed through.
Stovetop: I usually prefer this method of reheating my sofritas. I transfer the desired quantity to a pan and add a splash of water. Then, I cook it for 3 to 5 minutes over medium-low heat, stirring in between until it is warmed through.

What To Serve With This Recipe

I enjoy sofritas as they are actually supposed to be enjoyed: by putting them in my burrito bowl. However, you can also use them as a filling for your Tacos, Wraps, Sandwiches, Patties, etc.

Moreover, you can enjoy them alongside Fresh Green Salad, pinto beans, or a simple corn salsa.

Printable Version

More Chipotle Recipes That You Can Try

Chipotle Chicken Recipe — Chipotle Chicken

Chicken Chipotle Bowl In Blue Bowl — Chipotle Chicken

Conclusion

This recipe is a delicious way to make your family have tofu that is packed with health benefits. You should definitely try out this recipe to make yourself fall in love with tofu, which is said to absorb flavors.

All you have to learn is the correct technique for cooking the tofu, which, when cooked well, has a savory, sweet, and crunchy taste.

So enjoy making these delicious Chipotle Sofritas, and do not forget to leave your thoughts in the comment section below.