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Bold Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey Recipe

Bold Puerto Rican Roasted Turkey Recipe


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4.6 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Succulent roasted turkey with Puerto Rican seasoning delivers bold island flavors through traditional family techniques. Herb-infused marinades and expert roasting methods promise a memorable centerpiece for holiday gatherings you’ll savor with pride.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 turkey (15-17 lbs / 6.8-7.7 kg, thawed)
  • 3 tbsps sofrito (homemade or store-bought)
  • 7 cloves garlic
  • 1 tbsp adobo (adjust as needed)
  • 1 packet sazon
  • 2 tsps pepper
  • 2 tsps rosemary
  • 3 tsps oregano
  • Salt (to taste)
  • 1 stick butter (melted)
  • 3 tbsps lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Rinse turkey under cool water and thoroughly pat dry with clean paper towels, creating a pristine surface for seasoning.
  2. Internal Seasoning: Craft a robust spice blend by mixing ground black pepper, dried rosemary, crumbled oregano, kosher salt, and minced garlic, thoroughly massaging the mixture into the turkey’s inner cavity.
  3. Sofrito Infusion: Whisk melted unsalted butter with sofrito sauce, incorporating ground black pepper, adobo seasoning, lemon juice, and crushed garlic to create a vibrant flavor base.
  4. Strategic Seasoning: Gently separate skin from breast meat and create strategic incisions along thighs and legs, enabling deep flavor penetration and maximum taste absorption.
  5. Final Coating: Meticulously inject the prepared sofrito mixture into created slits, then massage the remaining sauce across the entire turkey exterior, ensuring comprehensive and uniform coverage for a rich, authentic Puerto Rican roasted turkey experience.

Notes

  • Sanitize Thoroughly: Wash turkey meticulously under cool water and pat completely dry to prevent bacterial growth and ensure crisp skin during roasting.
  • Season Strategically: Create an internal herb blend that penetrates deep into meat, enhancing flavor complexity and ensuring every bite is richly seasoned.
  • Butter Technique: Softened butter helps herbs adhere better to skin, creating a golden, crispy exterior while locking in moisture during cooking.
  • Flavor Injection Method: Making precise incisions allows sofrito and seasoning to penetrate deeper into muscle tissue, transforming an ordinary turkey into a Puerto Rican culinary masterpiece.
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes
  • Cook Time: 4 hours
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 320
  • Sugar: 0 g
  • Sodium: 800 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 10 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 1 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 30 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg