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Savory Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey Recipe

Savory Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey Recipe


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4.8 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Puerto Rican roasted turkey brings island spices and traditional flavors to your holiday table. Marinated with adobo, citrus, and herbs, this succulent bird promises a festive meal that connects family and culture with delicious Caribbean warmth.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 turkey (15-17 pounds / 6.8-7.7 kilograms, thawed)

Herbs and Spices:

  • 3 tablespoons sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
  • 7 cloves garlic
  • 1 tablespoon adobo (adjust as needed)
  • 2 teaspoons pepper
  • 2 teaspoons rosemary
  • 3 teaspoons oregano
  • 1 packet sazon
  • Salt (to taste)

Additional Ingredients:

  • 1 stick butter (melted)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Thoroughly cleanse the turkey under cool running water, then meticulously dry the entire surface using clean paper towels to create an optimal base for seasoning.
  2. Create an aromatic internal seasoning blend by combining of ground black pepper, of dried rosemary, of crumbled oregano, of kosher salt, and 2 finely minced garlic cloves.
  3. Gently massage the spice mixture into the turkey’s inner cavity, ensuring comprehensive and even distribution of the herbs and seasonings.
  4. Prepare a rich sofrito blend by melting unsalted butter and whisking it together with prepared sofrito sauce, incorporating additional ground black pepper, adobo seasoning, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and 5 crushed garlic cloves until fully integrated.
  5. Delicately separate the turkey’s skin from the breast meat, creating small strategic incisions along the thighs and legs to facilitate deeper flavor penetration.
  6. Carefully inject and distribute the sofrito mixture into the created slits, then generously massage the remaining sauce across the entire exterior surface, guaranteeing complete and uniform coverage.

Notes

  • Master the art of thoroughly rinsing and patting the turkey dry to create the perfect base for seasoning magic.
  • Craft a powerful spice blend with pepper, rosemary, oregano, salt, and garlic to infuse deep flavor inside the turkey’s cavity.
  • Create a game-changing sofrito mixture by combining melted butter, additional seasonings, and extra garlic for an irresistible Puerto Rican twist.
  • Carefully separate the turkey skin and create strategic slits to allow the flavorful sofrito mixture to penetrate deeply into the meat.
  • Ensure even coverage by generously rubbing the seasoned mixture all over the turkey’s exterior, transforming an ordinary bird into a culinary masterpiece.
  • Let the combined herbs, spices, and sofrito work their magic, promising a tender, juicy, and incredibly flavorful roasted turkey that will impress every guest.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 345 kcal
  • Sugar: 0.5 g
  • Sodium: 420 mg
  • Fat: 22 g
  • Saturated Fat: 9 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5 g
  • Carbohydrates: 2 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 38 g
  • Cholesterol: 125 mg