If you want your holiday meal to taste even better, try this Mexican turkey recipe for Pavo Navideño! Don’t be scared—it’s a lot easier than it sounds!
Pavo Navideño is a Mexican turkey recipe that is full of flavor, juicy and tender, and the skin is a beautiful red or golden color and crispy. It has a hearty, slightly smoky, and mildly spicy taste.
In Mexico, a turkey is called pavo or guajolote. They are native to the country and were introduced to Europe only until the 16th century.
To make Pavo Navideño, you must first make a traditional and tasty adobo sauce. This sauce will be used to cover the turkey and spread it around while it’s roasting. This is one of the most popular and best ways to prepare a Mexican-style turkey.
The chili sauce has just the right amount of Mexican flavors and spices to make the meat taste great. It will be the star of your family’s holiday dinner.
Everyone can make our step-by-step recipe, even if they’ve never cooked before. Enjoy a stress-free family dinner! A roasted Mexican turkey is perfectly juicy, evenly cooked, and super flavorful. Perfect to serve with papas gratinadas.
You can also use chicken or turkey in this recipe; the only thing that changes is the roasting time. For information on how to change the roasting time based on the weight of your bird, read on.
Take the thawed turkey out of the fridge and take out the bag of giblets. You can either save the giblets to make gravy or throw them away. Use paper towels to dry the skin, and then let the turkey rest at room temperature for an hour.
The holidays are a time for gathering with family and friends sharing meals and giving thanks. For many Americans, Thanksgiving means roasting a turkey and enjoying all the traditional side dishes. But this year, why not give your Thanksgiving meal a delicious Mexican twist?
Yucatan-style roasted turkey, also known as pavo pibil, is a mouthwatering alternative to the usual roasted bird. It delivers incredible depth of flavor by marinating the turkey in a blend of aromatic spices, citrus juices, and chili paste. The result is tender, juicy meat infused with the tangy, savory flavors of Mexico.
This recipe comes from Maggie Unzueta, a chef focused on bringing authentic Mexican cuisine to home cooks through her website Mama Maggie’s Kitchen She shares that her family made tamales for their first American Thanksgiving after immigrating from Mexico. The next year, they tried this pavo pibil recipe courtesy of a friend from the Yucatan region It’s been a hit ever since!
A Symphony of Mexican Flavors
What makes Yucatan-style turkey so special is the pibil marinade. It combines smoked chili paste called achiote with spices like oregano, cumin, cloves, cinnamon, and black peppercorns. Onions, garlic, orange juice, and lime juice round out the mix.
When blended into a smooth, ruby-red sauce and slathered over the turkey, these ingredients infuse it with the vibrant tastes of Mexico. The orange and lime cut through the richness. Achiote lends an earthy, almost BBQ-like quality. And the spices add warmth, depth, and subtle heat.
Step-By-Step Method for Flavorful, Juicy Meat
Marinating the turkey is crucial for allowing the complex flavors to permeate the meat. Maggie recommends letting it soak in the pibil sauce overnight If time is short, 4 hours will work
A few special touches during prep help ensure tender, flavorful results:
- Loosen the skin and insert butter underneath to keep the meat moist as it cooks
- Stuff the cavity with orange and onion for extra moisture and flavor
- Tie the legs together to promote even cooking
- Baste frequently while roasting
The marinade does double duty as a basting liquid. Simply brush it over the turkey every 45 minutes as it roasts. The pibil sauce seals in the natural juices while imparting more and more flavor.
Satisfying Holiday Fare with a Twist
Part of the fun of pavo pibil is how it takes the usual Thanksgiving centerpiece in a creative new direction. The holiday meal suddenly becomes a fusion feast, blending North American traditions with the incredible flavors of Southern Mexico.
You can stick with typical Thanksgiving sides like mashed potatoes and cornbread stuffing. Or explore Mexican-inspired options like pickled red onions, elote corn casserole, or Mexican mac and cheese. either way, this turkey is sure to be a hit!
The recipe serves 9 generously, providing the perfect crowning dish for gathering with family and friends. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the delicious blend of sweet, tangy, savory, and spicy flavors in every juicy bite.
Leftovers make amazing sandwiches and tacos too. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
Give It a Try This Thanksgiving
If you’re looking for a way to change up your holiday meal routine with exciting new flavors, Yucatan-style roasted turkey needs to be on your Thanksgiving menu.
The savory, citrusy marinade results in the best, most flavorful turkey you’ve ever tasted. It will quickly become your new favorite way to enjoy this seasonal centerpiece.
For step-by-step guidance and pro tips on mastering this amazing Mexican turkey recipe, visit Mama Maggie’s Kitchen. Your taste buds will thank you!
So this Thanksgiving, say “gracias” with a turkey that celebrates both American and Mexican food traditions. Pavo pibil is sure to bring a festive new twist to your holiday table.
The turkey chest is getting too brown, what can I do?
If your oven’s heating element is at the top, this is likely to happen. Lower the rack and then put aluminum foil over the turkey breast.
How much time do I need to defrost a turkey?
You will need 24 hours for every 4 pounds of turkey. So, if you have a 12-pound/6k bird allow from 3 to 4 days to completely defrost.
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