Pavo Pibil (Yucatán-Style Turkey)
Pibil Turkey is a delightful way to bring a taste of Mexico to your Thanksgiving table. With its flavorful marinade made of traditional spices and a unique cooking style using banana leaves, this turkey becomes an aromatic centerpiece for any festive gathering. Let's embark on this culinary adventure!
Ingredients:
🦃 16-19 lb Turkey
🧅 1 Onion
🌶️ 2 Jalapeños
🧄 1 Head of garlic
🍌 Banana Leaves
🍯 1/4 cup Agave or honey
🧂 Salt
For the Marinade:
🌶️ 100g Achiote paste or powder (Annatto)
🧄 1 tbsp Garlic powder
🧅 1 tbsp Onion powder
🌿 1 tbsp Peppercorns
🍂 4 Cloves spice
☕ 1/2 tsp Allspice
🍊 1.5 cups Orange juice
Instructions:
- Prepare the Marinade:
- In a blender, combine achiote paste or powder, garlic powder, onion powder, peppercorns, cloves, allspice, and orange juice. Blend until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade.
- Season the Turkey:
- Rinse the turkey and pat it dry. Use some of the marinade to rub it under the skin and all over the turkey. Don’t forget to add some marinade inside the cavity.
- Season the turkey thoroughly with salt on the inside and outside. Stuff the cavity with the whole onion, jalapeños, and the head of garlic.
- Wrap the Turkey:
- Lay down a sheet of aluminum foil large enough to wrap the turkey. Then, place banana leaves on top of the foil. Set the marinated turkey in the center and wrap it securely with banana leaves and foil.
- Initial Roasting:
- Place the wrapped turkey on a disposable baking pan. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and roast the turkey for approximately 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Caramelize the Skin:
- Mix the reserved 1/4 cup of marinade with agave or honey.
- Unwrap the turkey and transfer it to a clean baking pan lined with parchment paper. Brush the skin generously with the agave marinade mixture.
- Final Roasting:
- Increase the oven temperature to 375°F (190°C). Return the turkey to the oven; roast for 5 minutes.
- Brush again with the marinade and roast for an additional 10 minutes to achieve a beautiful caramelized color.
- Serve:
- For a stunning presentation, serve the turkey over fresh banana leaves. You can use extra leaves to garnish and make the turkey look even more inviting.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Equipment: Blender, Oven, Disposable baking pan, Parchment paper
Servings: 12-16 servings
Cooking Tips:
- If using a smaller turkey, adjust the cooking time accordingly. A 12-15 lb turkey may require only about 1 hour 20 minutes initially.
- Ensure that the banana leaves are securely wrapped to trap moisture, which helps in infusing aromatic flavors.
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Pavo Pibil (Yucatán-Style Turkey)
