Pavochón (Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey)

Pavochón (Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey)

Pavochón, Puerto Rican Thanksgiving roasted turkey, uses the flavorings for lechón, suckling pig, combining Caribbean and American traditions.
  • Preparation:
  • Cooking:
  • Total:
  • Serves: 10 persons

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1

    Gather the ingredients.
  2. Step 2

    Mash the garlic cloves and salt into a paste using a pilòn (mortar and pestle).
  3. Step 3

    Add the peppercorns and adobo and crush the ingredients into the paste.
  4. Step 4

    Stir in the olive oil and apple cider vinegar.
  5. Step 5

    Rub the mixture under the turkey’s skin and inside the cavities, then rub the rest of the mixture on top of the skin. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine . Place the turkey on a rack in a roasting pan . Let sit for 2 hours uncovered at room temperature.
  6. Step 6

    Preheat the oven to 325 F. Roast the turkey for about 3 hours, until the breast meat reaches 165 F and the thigh is 175 F. Let the turkey rest for 30 minutes, uncovered, and then carve.