Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro
Fluffy white rice cooked with a vibrant homemade sofrito and colorful bell peppers, bursting with fresh cilantro and savory notes. This caribbean-inspired rice & grains (vegetarian) ready in about 35 minutes pairs long grain white rice, water, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice
- 3 cups water
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium, diced green bell pepper
- 1 medium, diced red bell pepper
- 1 small, diced onion
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup, chopped fresh cilantro
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Rinse 1 1/2 cups long grain white rice under cold water until water runs clear, then drain well.
- Step 2: In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add 1 diced green bell pepper, 1 diced red bell pepper, and 1 small diced onion. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 3: Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until aromatic. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes until the paste darkens slightly.
- Step 4: Add the rinsed rice to the pan and stir to coat grains evenly with the sofrito mixture.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 cups water, 1 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 18 minutes until the water is absorbed and rice is tender.
- Step 6: Remove from heat and let stand covered for 5 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork and stir in 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro take to make?
Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep long grain white rice from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is Dominican-Style Sofrito Rice with Bell Peppers and Cilantro vegetarian?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
