Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat

sharing not-so-spicy version of my own recipe, on Popular Demand

Posted On: Oct, 16 |  Author:
Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat
Diet Info: DF GF F LF Na LS VG V Fa

By now, you know for sure, I am a die-hard Chipotle Mexican Grill's Chipotle Sofritas fan! And If you are here, reading this post, you are no different either. :) I know, I know, chipotle grill has made this vegan tofu sofritas so darn tasty that everyone just loves it.

Recently, I watched a documentary on Chipotle Mexican Grill company. Earlier, I thought, this recipe was created by weight-watchers for Chipotle Mexican Grill. Now, I came to know, famous Mexican cuisine expert, chef Malin also has contribution in Chipotle's Sofritas recipe.

Well, I am no chef Malin, but I know you liked my earlier Chipotle Sofritas recipe. In-fact, I am pretty sure you are here following one of my previous Chipotle Recipe's link :) 

Your encouragement is what keeps me going in testing/trying great recipes that you and I can cook at home, save money, and eat healthier always! Everyone said, Chipotle Sofritas recipe that I have shared earlier was spicy. So I thought to test and try my original recipe a little more to create a LESS SPICY perfect COPY OF Chipotle's SOFRITAS this time.

Update: Today, when I made this recipe again for stuffing in Crispy Sofritas Taquitos, I decided to click a new picture of sofritas for you. Old pictures were clicked on a cloudy day, and are little dull. So here is the latest picture, bright and yumm-licious!

I think, we all eat with our eyes, and this sofritas's picture will sure make your mouth-water! I have used little less water in this sofritas to make a good filling for taquitos, but rest recipe is exact same! 

Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill Copycat Recipe.

Let me sum-up this UPDATED recipe for you all. This chipotle sofritas recipe is:

1) Made with braised tofu (right technique used by Mexican Grill)
2) Is saucy like Chipotle Mexican Grill
3) Is VEGAN like Chipotle Mexican Grill
4) Is NOT spicy, exactly like Chipotle Mexican Grill
5) and YES, it is a TRUE COPYCAT Chipotle Sofritas. 
6) Above all, made with all AVAILABLE at home ingredients. Not even Tajin used this time :) Many people told me they bought a bottle of Tajin just for my previous Chipotle recipe, so I decided to give you all some relief. I replaced Tajin flavors with easy to find pantry ingredients.

In order of how we progressed in making Sofritas at home, so far...

1) Sofritas-style Shredded Tofu - First try, bare minimum, everyone loved it!
2) Chipotle Sofritas - Most popular, Marinade style Chipotle Sofritas, you all went crazy, taste was pretty good but spicy. Still most popular. I bet you are here reading this one. 
3) Braised Chipotle Sofritas - Braised (right technique used by Mexican Grill to cook sofritas). Equally admired and loved yet spicy.
4) Sofritas Verde - My love of sofritas forced me to make this not-so-mexican-grill version with all-green ingredients. this recipe has ME written all over it.

Last but not the least...

5) This Braised Chipotle Sofrita's true Copycat - Saucy, less spicy, and exact copy of Mexican Grill Chipotle Sofritas. TRUST ME! You want to try this!

Sauce-y Chipotle Sofritas

Sofrito Marinade Sauce yields 1 cup. One pound tofu needs about 1/2 cup of the sauce or a little more if you prefer spicy.  Leftover sauce will stay good in refrigerator for a week. You can quickly make Chipotle Sofritas at home, in not time, again!!!

Sign-up ChefDeHome Newsletter for any future updates on Chipotle's Sofritas or sofritas recipes. I am soon compiling a Chipotle Sofrita's Bowl recipe collection, stay tuned!!

Happy Cooking!!

Forget Chipotle Mexican Grill!! now make perfect vegan chipotle sofritas at home, just right spicy, sauce-y, and delicious

Update (April-16-2018): Now, you can make Chipotle Adobo Sauce at home with my new recipe. All you need is dried chipotle peppers and some basic pantry ingredients. Follow Chipotle Adobo Sauce recipe link.  

Chipotle Mexican Grill's Sofritas and other favorite recipes:

Fire Roasted Tomatillo Salsa - My other Chipotle Mexican Grill Favorite Chipotle Sofritas Sofritas Verde with Roasted Chile, Cilantro and Spices

Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat

5 (7 reviews)
Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat
Total Time: Prep Time: Cook Time: Cuisine: Mexican () Difficulty: Easy
Yields: 1 Cup Sofrito - Serves: 4
(1 cup sofritos is good to cook 2-3 pounds of tofu)

Ingredients

Chipotle Sofrito Sauce
Tofu
Smart Swap: Replace tofu with seasonal vegetables or white meat chicken per your liking!

Directions

  • Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 1. Start with roasting the pepper. It took me 5 minutes to beautifully char this poblano! Let cool a little, then remove seeds and scrap-off skin of poblano. Set aside.
    Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 2. For sauce, in a blender/food processor jar, add chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, poblano pepper, garlic, cumin powder, oregano and tomato paste. Additional Notes: Tomato paste I used is Monte Amore Tomato Paste, You can use any good quality tomato paste or tomato puree. If using tomato puree instead of paste, then use less water in step 3.
  • Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 3. Add olive oil, salt, lemon juice, sugar, and 1/4 cup water/vegetable stock. Process to make a fine puree. Set aside.
    Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 4. To prepare Tofu - Pat dry tofu with paper towel to soak any moisture. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a non-stick pan, add half of tofu and shallow fry until crisp from both sides. (about 3-4 minutes each side). Repeat with remaining tofu. Additional Notes: For best results, press tofu with paper towel under a heavy weight for 5-10 minutes to get rid of access moisture.
  • Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 5. Drain prepared tofu on paper towel to soak excess of oil while you finish frying rest.
    Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 6. Make Sofritas - In a wide pan, add 1/2 cup of sofritas marinade/sauce prepared in step 3. Saute stirring frequently until oil starts to show on side. (just 2-3 minutes) This ensures raw garlic taste is gone and also flavor develops with cooking sauce.
  • Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 7. Add fried and chopped tofu and cook for 1 minutes coating in the sauce.
    Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 8. Add remaining stock (if using) or water. Mix well and bring mixture to rolling boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 6-8 minutes. Break pieces of tofu with spatula once-in-a-while while sauce is cooking. Don't let water/stock completely dry-off, leave sauce little sauce-y like chipotle's.
  • Step for Recipe - Chipotle Sofritas - Chipotle Mexican Grill's Braised Sofritas Copycat 9. Sofritas are ready!!! Serve with rice and salsa. Enjoy! I have covered all recipes for a delicious sofritas bowl. Make at home and enjoy!
Savita's Notes:

If sauce still feels spicy to you, consider adding 1/2 tbsp more sugar or 1 tbsp more tomato paste,. Also you can use just one adobo pepper and instead add one more tbsp adobo sauce for flavor.

Less Saucy Sofritas? If you planning to fill sofritas in tacos and not eating with rice? Just add less water when cooking tofu with marinade and water. About 1/2 cup should be fine to develop flavor in tofu... then simmer away any excess water or until desired sofritas consistency achieved.

If you can't find Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce? Here is the link to buy it from Amazon:

La Costena Chipotle Peppers in Adobo Sauce 7 Oz(Pack of 2)

Update (April-16-2018): Now, you can make Chipotle Adobo Sauce at home with my new recipe. All you need is dried chipotle peppers and some basic pantry ingredients. Follow Chipotle Adobo Sauce recipe link.  

DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? Tag @SAVITACHEFDEHOME on Instagram and hashtag it #SAVITACHEFDEHOME

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83 Responses

  1. I seem to have a lot of the sauce leftover. Did I not add enough. The last boiling step just mentions add leftover stock.
    If stock in last step is simmered at medium-high heat, a lot of it evaporates and sauce flavor thickens. If you don't like lot sauce, or don't want to simmer too long, use half of stock. I hope it helps.
  2. Good day, thank you so much for this recipe. I'm so glad I stumbled across it. I thought I would never like Tofu, but like someone said in a previous post, anyone making Tofu in this manner will definitely love it. Since I'm allergic to the majority of meat products this has given me a great protein alternative.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Hi Anderia, thanks for taking time to write feedback. I'm glad you like my Tofu Sofritas recipe. Indeed, it is a great tasty alternative to meat.
  3. I just tried this at home. It tasted really good but it’s too spicy for my daughter. She loves Chipotle one so I decided to try it at home. Is there anyway we can make it much less spicy? The sauce I used was Embasa, did I buy the wrong one? I used 2 peppers and 2 tbsp of the sauce. I would like to try again with less spicy (or not spicy) version. Thanks!
    Hi Janice, thank you for trying the recipe. To answer your question, yes you can tone down the heat simply by using less amount of Chipotle. I recommend, 1) for Medium Heat - use one pepper and one tbsp of sauce. 2) For Mild Heat - use half pepper and one table of sauce. Or No pepper and 2 tbsp of just the adobo sauce which will give it mild chipotle flavor and no heat at all. I hope it helps.
  4. Tastes just like chipotle’s Sofritas!!! Love this! Followed the recipe with one substitution. I was out of lemon juice so I used lime juice.
  5. This sauce is absolutely perfect. My roommate and I make a double batch of it every week. Its perfect for meal prep and for dipping. We just add a whole normal-sized can of chipotles in adobo for the double batch. Can't thank you enough for this recipe. We also never add the extra water at the end. We just pour the thick sauce in the skillet and then fold in the fried-and-diced tofu. It also works great with crispy tempeh. We've done that the past two weeks for meal prep.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Hi John, I'm glad you enjoying Chipotle Sofritas. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Such a good idea to replace tofu with temph. So many options!
  6. This was so good! Love the marinade! I used a tofu press to get all the water out and used an Air Fryer. Turned out amazing! I will be making this again!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks for letting me know. Love that you made it low-oil with air fryer. High Five!
  7. gotta make this!
  8. This sauce is AMAZING! Its super easy and works great for meal prep. It is my go to if Im looking for something full of flavor and simple.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
  9. I love this recipe. I made this for my friends and they liked this better than a main chain version. I even get my kids to eat it if I tone down the spice.
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Thanks for feedback. We are glad you enjoyed Sofritas,
  10. This is the best frickin sauce! I love it! I use this recipe now anytime I'm trying to introduce someone to tofu. There is no way you can not like tofu made this way. I would say to users, don't be afraid to try this recipe! it may look intimidating at first but the instructions are great! Once you've made it its so much easier the next time. Well worth it! Thank for sharing!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Sarafina, thanks. I'm glad you liked Sofritas. I agree, this recipe can make anyone love tofu. I'm happy to see you second my opinion. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience with us.
  11. I have a question, it’s my first trying one of your recipes and I can’t wait for the final product :). I think it’s my inexperience wondering, but when you write 2 Chipotle in adobo in the recipe, is it two peppers or two cans? I’m not sure and it definitely makes a difference quantity wise, lol, would hate to learn this one from experience.
    Hi Sandra, it is most certainly 2 peppers and not two cans.
  12. Looks great. Can you bake the tofu?
    Hi Neeta, thanks. Yes, tofu can be baked. I would coat in half of marinate with some oil. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until tofu is crispy. Then use rest marinade. I hope it helps.
  13. I love this recipie! In fact its so good I double it every time!! Tastes super authentic! Savita, have you considered including the amounts in the directions, so it would say: Add 2 tbs Olive oil, 1 tsp Salt, this prevents a bunch of scrolling and digital friendly! Eitherway, great recipie and a wonderful blog. Thank you!
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
    Hi Josh, thanks for sweet feedback. I'm glad you enjoy reading CDH blog and this recipe. Chipotle Sofritas is no doubt a delicious combination of flavors. I understand what you saying about mentioning the measurements in directions. I'm trying this with my new recipes.
  14. We had this at Chipotle for the first time a few weeks ago and we fell in love!! We recently transitioned to plant base so tofu is new to us. I will be making this tonight for our weekly mexican!! Can't wait!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!
    Venessia, I'm certain you gonna love these homemade sofritas. Happy cooking!
  15. Thank you so much for this recipe!!! I LOVE these at Chipolte--been going there once per week to get my fix!! I have not made yet, just found you! Great website, and super easy to print the recipes vs copy & pasting into email. :) I'm looking forward to checking out more cooking options on your website.
    Hi Julie, as I see you like Chipotle Sofritas very much.. Trust me, this recipe will be your favorite sofritas made at home. I'm glad you enjoying Print feature. I hope you get chance to try sofritas soon. Cheers! -Savita
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