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The Recipe · No.1416 · How to Make Recaito

How to Make Recaito, and where to source it

How to Make Recaito — 5best2buy.com 5BEST2BUY.COM How to Make Recaito Puerto Rican 5best2buy.com

Recaito and sofrito get used interchangeably and they are not the same. Recaito is green — herbs, garlic, green peppers, no tomato and no achiote — which makes it the base for anything that should stay pale, like arroz con gandules or a white bean stew. Sofrito with tomato in it would turn those the wrong colour.

The ratio2 bunches culantro + 1 bunch cilantro + 2 green peppers + 1 head garlic. No tomato, ever.

By Vince Gonzalez · Published July 2026 · Sourcing verified 5 Jul 2026

Prep15 min
Cooknone
Makes2 cups
CuisinePuerto Rican
Cost$
VeganGluten-free
The Ingredients — and where to get them
Cook for 2 cups
Our ratio, your call. The amounts below are a tested starting point — a version, not the one and only. Anything tagged to taste is the knob you turn: start there, then make it yours.
Culantro
Two bunches. The dominant flavour and the reason to make this rather than buy it.
2 bunchesrecommended
Local / market
Cilantro
One bunch, stems included.
1 bunchrecommended
Source it →
Green cubanelle peppers
Two, seeded.
2recommended
Source it →
Ají dulce
A handful, if available.
6recommended
Source it →
Garlic
A whole head.
1 headrecommended
Source it →
Onion
One medium, white or yellow.
1recommended
Source it →
The Rundown
Greedometer ●●●●● Barely a splurge
A light hand — your arteries say thanks.
EffortSome doing
Cook it with
No-cook
The Method
  1. Keep it greenNo tomato, no achiote, no red pepper. That is the entire distinction from sofrito and it exists for a reason.
  2. Pulse coarseEverything in the processor, short pulses, to a wet coarse mince.
  3. Freeze in cubesSame as sofrito — trays, then bags. Two cubes starts a pot.
  4. Use it where colour mattersArroz con gandules, white bean stew, pollo guisado, or anything that should not go orange.
  5. Make it yoursA squeeze of lime keeps it greener in the freezer. Add tomato and achiote and you have made sofrito instead, which is also useful.
The Toolkit

Food processor · Ice cube trays · Freezer bags

Straight Answers
Can you freeze How to Make Recaito? — Yes

Yes — it freezes well. Cool it fully, portion into airtight containers, and it keeps a few months; thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Can you make How to Make Recaito ahead of time? — Yes

Yes — it keeps in the fridge for several days; stir or shake it before serving.

Is How to Make Recaito gluten-free? — Yes

Yes — nothing in this recipe as written contains gluten. As always, glance at the labels on any packaged items (broth, sauces, chocolate), since brands vary.

Is How to Make Recaito vegan? — Yes

Yes — no meat, seafood, dairy, egg, or honey in it as written.

Community Notes

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