In other parts of the world, such as the United States, roasted turkey is a classic Thanksgiving meal.
However, when you are in the south of Spain, turkey is actually one of the most popular foods for Christmas eve dinner or Christmas lunch.
The Pavo Navideño, or as it is known in English, Christmas turkey, is a classic meal on this holiday, and there isn’t a household in Andalusia that doesn’t enjoy it.
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Keep reading this article as I’ll show you how to make the Spanish turkey recipe, the best ways to store leftovers or preserve the Pavo Navideño before eating it.
I will offer you some tips to serve it as well as other traditional Christmas dinner ideas.
Turkey is a popular centerpiece for Christmas dinners in many parts of the world, but each culture has its own unique way of preparing the bird In Spain, there are a few key ingredients used to stuff turkeys that give them a distinctive Spanish flavor
As an avid food blogger always looking to learn about new cuisines, I was curious to find out more about Spanish-style stuffed turkey. In my research, I uncovered the fascinating history behind the stuffing traditions in Spain.
A Brief History of Spanish Stuffed Turkey
While turkey is not native to Spain, it was brought over from the Americas during the colonial era. Turkeys were first introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers returning from Mexico in the 16th century.
The turkey quickly became popular across Spain as a centerpiece for festive meals. However, early turkeys were not eaten in the same way we eat them today. The birds were usually chopped up and braised in stews rather than roasted whole.
It wasn’t until the 19th century that the tradition of roasting and stuffing whole turkeys became common in Spain. Even then, Spanish cooks did not have the same bread-based stuffings as in Britain or America.
Instead, they flavored their turkeys with native Spanish ingredients like sausage, nuts, and fruits. Each region of Spain developed its own unique way to stuff and flavor turkeys using local specialties.
Traditional Spanish Turkey Stuffings
While recipes can vary between different parts of Spain, there are a few core ingredients that frequently appear in Spanish turkey stuffings:
Chorizo
Spicy chorizo sausage is used to add bold flavor to turkey stuffing in many regions. Spanish chorizo gets its signature red hue from paprika and has a smoky garlicky taste.
Small chunks of chorizo are commonly mixed into the stuffing or used to line the cavity before stuffing Some cooks even put whole links of chorizo inside the turkey.
Chestnuts
Sweet chestnuts are a popular addition, providing texture and natural sweetness. Chestnuts are widely grown across Spain and used in many holiday dishes.
For turkey stuffing, chestnuts are typically roasted, peeled, and chopped before being mixed with other ingredients.
Pine Nuts
Buttery pine nuts add nutty richness and crunch. They pair beautifully with poultry and balance out any spicy chorizo. Spanish pine nuts from the Stone Pine are especially prized for their flavor.
Raisins and Prunes
Dried fruits like raisins, currants, and prunes lend subtle sweetness and moisture. They also complement the other flavors in the stuffing nicely.
Herbs
Fragrant herbs like parsley, thyme, rosemary, and sage season the stuffing and turkey from the inside out. Some Spanish cooks also use spices like cinnamon or cloves.
Regional Variations
Certain areas of Spain have their own unique twists on turkey stuffing. In Catalonia, ground pork is added along with sausage. Cooks in Andalusia often add hard-boiled eggs.
Some include jamón serrano or other cured hams. In Galicia, the stuffing contains shellfish like mussels or clams.
How to Make Spanish Stuffed Turkey
If you want to experience a Spanish-style turkey, here are some tips:
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Use Spanish chorizo – This is key for nailing the authentic Spanish flavor.
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Include chestnuts, pine nuts, and dried fruits – These ingredients complement the chorizo beautifully.
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Season with aromatic herbs – Rosemary, thyme, sage, and parsley work nicely.
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Don’t use bread cubes – Unlike American stuffing, Spanish versions contain no bread.
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Flavor the bird inside and out – Rub the turkey cavity with herbs and olive oil before stuffing.
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Cook aromatics in the cavity – Place lemon, onion, garlic, and herbs in the cavity along with the stuffing.
With its savory-sweet medley of flavors, Spanish stuffed turkey makes a festive centerpiece for any holiday meal with a unique twist. The next time you roast a turkey, give the Spanish method a try! Your guests will love this delicious taste of Spain.
Tips on Serving the Christmas Turkey
If you were looking for Christmas eve food ideas, then let me tell you that you are in the right place.
The Pavo Navideño is a classic Christmas eve dinner, so you can serve it at that wonderful time of the year.
For a real Andalusian Christmas dinner, you can start with Spanish deviled eggs, followed by Picadillo soup.
Also, grilled prawns can’t be missed from the perfect Christmas dinner.
Of course, you can eat it any day, and serve it with different side dishes. For example, you can make a more American version of this dinner and serve it with apple or blueberry puree, or even with cornbread.
How to Make the Christmas Turkey – Step by Step Guide
- To start with this Christmas turkey recipe, you should debone the turkey, but this can be difficult if you’ve never done it before, so the best thing you can do is skip this step and buy a boneless turkey or ask them to debone it.
- Then put the prunes to marinate with the sherry wine so they get that flavor. Also, put the breadcrumbs with the milk in a bowl so they absorb it.
- Chop the onion and put it in a pan with a little oil. Soften them but only until they are transparent, don’t let them brown. You can cook them with oil, butter, or the best way is with olive oil.
- Mix all the ingredients with the lean minced pork and make a ball with them. You should add salt and pepper to taste.
- Fill the turkey with all the stuffing that is prepared. It does not matter if you think it is a lot, since later while it cooks it can release juices and be a little less than what it was before.
- Cooking a stuffed turkey can be intimidating, but all you have to do is to bridle it with some thread (like wrapping it) to prevent it from losing its shape during cooking.
- Spread a little butter or olive oil on top and put it in the oven at 180°C for 2 hours. Every 20 minutes make sure to moisten it with the juice that is released, so it doesn’t dry out. This is essential because the turkey is dry.
- Now you have to deglaze the tray where you cooked the turkey. Make sure to use a deep tray that holds juices, since now you will have to take the white wine, put it on the tray along with a cup of water and the flour or cornstarch. Put that in the oven again or on the stove and bring it to a boil, so you will have your gravy.
- Make sure that the turkey doesn’t lose its heat, or take it to the oven for a couple of minutes before serving it. Put the gravy in a smaller bowl and serve it on the table with the hot turkey. You can cut the turkey into slices so it is easier to serve.
The stuffed turkey is one of the most popular Christmas meals and I’ll show you the Spanish version of Pavo Navideño.
You can take inspiration from other unique turkey recipes to make changes in the ingredients.
For example, you can add more vegetables to the stuffing, such as boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and any type of bell pepper.
You can also add some garlic, rosemary, and any type of herbs of your choice.
You could also skip the stuffing altogether and put inside the Christmas turkey an Andalusian orange cut in half.
You can try other Spanish Christmas eve dinners recipes, such as the Spanish turron, or the delightful Spanish seafood stew and Spanish seafood soup.
Spanish Holiday Stuffed Turkey Breast
FAQ
What do you stuff a turkey with?
What is pavo trufado de Navidad in English?
What is the white packet inside a turkey?
What is the packet inside the turkey?
What is turkey stuffing?
The turkey stuffing is a delicious mix of sweet and savory and creates a tasty contrast of flavors. Each family has their own version of turkey stuffing but most include a few different meats, fruit – both fresh and dried, olives, nuts, spices, bread or rice, herbs.
How to eat a stuffed turkey for Christmas?
Put the gravy in a smaller bowl and serve it on the table with the hot turkey. You can cut the turkey into slices so it is easier to serve. The stuffed turkey is one of the most popular Christmas meals and I’ll show you the Spanish version of Pavo Navideño.
What can I put inside a Christmas turkey?
For example, you can add more vegetables to the stuffing, such as boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and any type of bell pepper. You can also add some garlic, rosemary, and any type of herbs of your choice. You could also skip the stuffing altogether and put inside the Christmas turkey an Andalusian orange cut in half.
What can I add to turkey stuffing?
You can take inspiration from other unique turkey recipes to make changes in the ingredients. For example, you can add more vegetables to the stuffing, such as boiled potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, and any type of bell pepper. You can also add some garlic, rosemary, and any type of herbs of your choice.