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Christmas Turkey

Mexican Christmas Turkey (Pavo Navideño)

Chef's Pencil Staff
The Mexican Christmas Turkey holds a special place on the holiday table, symbolizing warmth, togetherness, and the joy of the season.
4.91 from 93 votes
Prep Time 35 minutes
Cook Time 5 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Christmas dish, Main Course
Cuisine Mexican
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
 
 

  • 1 turkey 5-6 kg/ 11-13 lbs
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • salt and ground black pepper (to taste)
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • 4 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 12 slices bacon
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 2 lbs ground pork meat
  • 1/2 cup ham chopped
  • 1/2 cup almonds chopped, skinless
  • 1/2 cup prunes chopped
  • 4 apples chopped
  • 3/4 cup parsley chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweet sherry

For the sauce:

  • 2 cups drippings from the roasted turkey
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
  • salt (to taste)
  • ground black pepper (to taste)

To garnish:

  • lettuce leaves
  • 1 red tomato
  • 1 cucumber

Instructions
 

  • Wash the turkey and remove the gizzards, liver and neck. Then dry it with a kitchen towel.
  • Spread olive oil on every side of the turkey and season with salt and pepper.
  • Place them neatly on a baking sheet and use a syringe to infuse the turkey with white wine.
  • Preheat the oven at 220 ° C/ 430 ℉.

How to Make the Stuffing:

  • Heat up 4 tablespoons of oil in a frying pan and fry six slices of chopped bacon until fragrant and lightly brown, then set aside.
  • In the same pan fry the the onion and garlic until translucent. Then add the ground pork and ham and fry until it starts to brown.
  • Mix in the almonds, prunes, apples, celery and 1/2 cup (125 ml) of sweet sherry.
  • Bring to a boil over low heat until the mixture has reduced a little.
  • Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
  • Stuff the turkey with this meat mixture and sow the opening shut using a needle and kitchen thread.
  • Tie the legs and wings together to prevent them from spreading out during cooking.
  • Cover the turkey breast with the six slices of bacon. Then cover the baking tray with aluminum foil. Place the turkey in the oven and bake for approximately 5 ½ hours (1 hour/ kilogram, or 30 minutes/ pound).
  • Baste every 40 minutes with the juice that drips from the turkey and cover again.
  • Half an hour before it is ready, remove the foil so that the top browns (if it is very dry, pour half a cup of water mixed with half a cup of white wine).
  • When ready, remove from the heat and leave to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

How to Make the Sauce:

  • To prepare the sauce begin by pouring the turkey juices left from baking into a small pot.
  • Take a tablespoon and a half of flour and mix a little of the liquid with it. Once dissolved, mix with the rest of the juices, stirring well.
  • Bring the mixture to a simmer and let it boil for 3 minutes or until it thickens slightly, stirring continuously to prevent clumps.
  • Season with salt and pepper, if necessary.
  • To serve, bring the turkey to the table on a tray decorated with lettuce leaves and slices of tomato and cucumber. Serve with the prepared sauce.

Enjoy!

    Notes

    Christmas Turkey
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