This copycat Chipotle Sofritas recipe is easy to make with tofu and a savory homemade marinade! Sofritas is a vegetarian protein that’s popular at Chipotle for a good reason – it’s downright delicious. Now, you can make your own copycat recipe in the comfort of your own kitchen, where the guac isn’t extra!

Sofritas are in a bowl with rice and cilantro.


Chipotle Sofritas

Just because I’m not a vegetarian doesn’t mean I don’t love the sofritas at Chipotle. All of their proteins are delicious, but sofritas might just be my favorite! Between the pan seared consistency of the tofu and the mouthwatering, savory flavors of the marinade, sofritas are a real treat! Especially when they’re paired with rice, cilantro, and all your other favorite toppings… yum!

Through some trial and error, I believe I’ve created what just might be the closest copycat recipe to Chipotle’s sofritas. I even did a blind taste test between my recipe and theirs, and no one could tell the difference! So, if you love ordering sofritas from Chipotle, rejoice! You no longer have to go wait in line and pay upwards of ten dollars for your favorite meal.

Even the most die-hard meat eaters will thoroughly enjoy this easy recipe. I mean, the tofu is marinaded in ingredients like chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, Ancho Chili Powder, and smoked paprika – just to name a few. It’s hard to hate on anything that flavorful! And if you’re nervous about the texture of the tofu, don’t worry. By pan searing it twice (once before and once after marinating), the tofu is cooked to total perfection.

The marinade ingredients have been thoroughly blended.

How to Make It

Start by making the marinade! It’s incredibly easy.

Add. Add the bell pepper, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tomato paste, garlic, apple cider vinegar, cumin, paprika, ancho chili powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper and canola oil to the bowl of a food processor.

Blend. Process the mixture until it is well combined and almost smooth.

Pieces of white tofu are in a large bowl filled with reddish brown marinade.

Once the marinade is ready, it’s time to prepare the tofu!

Prepare. Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.

Cook, then drain. Working in batches, place the tofu in the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook on the opposite side until golden. Remove from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.

Marinate. Place the tofu in a shallow dish with the sofritas sauce and marinate for 15-20 minutes.

Cook again! Heat the skillet over medium high heat and add the tofu with the sofritas sauce. Using a wooden spoon or spatula, bread the tofu up into pieces mixing well with the sauce. (If the sauce seems thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency. Cook for 5-6 minutes.

Sofritas are being cooked in a large black skillet.

Can I use this marinade for other proteins?

Yes, you absolutely can! While this marinade is perfect for tofu, it’s also pairs wonderfully with the proteins, too.

If you love the taste of this mouthwatering marinade, try dousing chicken, steak, or shrimp in it. It’s a great recipe to use when you want to really want your protein to pack a punch with flavor! I usually find myself marinating chicken breasts in this marinade for a few hours before cooking them and serving it on tortillas.

How long will sofritas stay fresh?

In an airtight container in the refrigerator, any leftover sofritas you may have will stay fresh for 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, I recommend reheating the sofritas in the pan you cooked them in, not the microwave. The microwave has a tendency to dry out the tofu, while the pan should reheat it just fine.

If you notice that the sofritas are a bit dry, try adding just a small amount of olive oil or even hot sauce to the pan to give it back it’s moisture.

A blue bowl is filled with rice and sofritas.

Craving more copycat recipes? You’ve come to the right spot! I love making all of my favorite restaurant staples at home for a fraction of the price. Here are just a few of the best!

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Sofritas are being cooked in a large black skillet.

Get the Recipe: Chipotle Sofritas Recipe

Chipotle copycat Sofritas recipe is a great meat alternative made of spiced tofu. Perfect for burritos, tacos, quesadillas and more!
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Ingredients

  • 1 green bell pepper, seeded and quartered
  • 2 chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce, 1 pepper for medium mild, add 3 for super spicy
  • 3 tablespoons adobo sauce
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • 2 teaspoons cumin
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon ancho chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 2 tablespoons canola oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 16 ounce package extra firm tofu, pressed and cut into 8 slices

Equipment

  • skillet

Instructions 

  • To make the marinade:
  • Add the bell pepper, chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, tomato paste, garlic, apple cider vinegar, cumin, paprika, ancho chili powder, dried oregano, salt, pepper and canola oil to the bowl of a food processor.
  • Process the mixture until it is well combined and almost smooth.
  • To make the tofu:
  • Heat the oil in a skillet over medium high heat.
  • Working in batches, place the tofu in the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 5-6 minutes. Flip and cook on the opposite side until golden. Remove from the pan and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
  • Place the tofu in a shallow dish with the sofritas sauce and marinade for 15-20 minutes.
  • Heat the skillet over medium high heat and add the tofu with the sofritas sauce.
  • Using a wooden spoon or spatula, bread the tofu up into pieces mixing well with the sauce. (If the sauce seems thick, add water 1 tablespoon at a time until the desired consistency)
  • Cook for 5-6 minutes.
  • Serve immediately over rice or in a tortilla with your favorite toppings.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

Sofritas can be made up to 2 days in advance. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Reheat in a skillet or in the microwave until warmed through.
Calories: 219kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 1g, Sodium: 2901mg, Potassium: 444mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1102IU, Vitamin C: 29mg, Calcium: 76mg, Iron: 3mg