With Thanksgiving Dinner just around the corner here in Puerto Rico, it’s time to start thinking about which recipes you’ll be preparing to share at your table this year. If you’re looking for traditional Thanksgiving Recipes in Puerto Rico – you’re in the right spot!

While many Thanksgiving recipes in Puerto Rico are similar to the main-land, they more often than not have a little Puerto Rican flavor added in for spice. Take, for instance, the classic Thanksgiving Turkey. Many locals here in Puerto Rico prepare Pavochón. Pavochón is a roast turkey dish, named for the way it’s prepared – marinated and slow-cooked – just like the Caribbean classic Lechón (slow-roasted suckling pig – a delicacy for any meat-lover). The result of the marinade and slow-roast, results in a Turkey that is savory and intense, satisfying even the hardest to please of guests.

Here is our favorite Pavochón Recipe, for your stash of Thanksgiving Recipes in Puerto Rico.

Pavochón

Prep Time:
30 minutes

Cook Time:
2 hours, 30 minutes

Total Time:
3 hours

Ingredients:

1 head of garlic (cloves separated and peeled)
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 Tablespoon whole black peppercorns
3 Tablespoons Adobo Seasoning
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 14-pound turkey

Preparation:

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

2. Add the peppercorns and adobo and crush the ingredients into the paste.

3. Stir in the olive oil and apple cider vinegar.

4. Rub the mixture under the turkey’s skin, inside the cavities, and then rub the rest of the mixture on top of the skin.

5. Roast the turkey according to the manufacturer’s recommended time and temperature. A 14 to 16 pound turkey will take about 2 to 2 1/2 hours to cook.

Serves: 14-18 people.

Alternate Thanksgiving Main Dish Options:

Thanksgiving Puerto Rican Side Dishes:

And for side dishes for your Puerto Rican Thanksgiving, we recommend the following:

Here’s a link to our Side Dishes Category for even more ideas!

Thanksgiving Dessert Options:

Puerto Rican Adobo Seasoning

Coarse Ground Sea Salt

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