Peruvian turkey is a great switch-up from your usual roast turkey recipes for the holidays. This whole roast turkey is marinated in a flavor-packed sauce made with Peruvian spices, plenty of citrus juices, and fresh herbs. It's a simple but very delicious turkey dinner that everyone will be in love with!

This savory roast turkey is unlike any turkey you've ever had and it's perfect to serve during the holidays or special occasion dinners. The meat is covered in a unique blend of Peruvian herbs, spices, soy sauce, and bright lime and orange juices. And after roasting this whole turkey is incredibly tender and juicy with perfectly crispy skin.

I find that this recipe for Peruvian baked turkey to be very hands-off. It's a favorite to make during the holidays when you're already busy getting everything ready for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

This recipe doesn't add stress to your preparations and it's incredibly tasty and a real crowd pleaser!

How to make this Peruvian turkey recipe

Making delicious Peruvian turkey is easy and requires only three major steps:

Perfect Marinade:

To begin the adventure of crafting that aromatic and flavorful marinade, reach for a large mixing bowl. This will be your base of operations. Start with the garlic, finely chopping it to release its delicious natural oils, then toss it into your bowl.

To this, add your ground spices: cumin for that warm embrace, smoked paprika for a gentle smoky note, and dried oregano for an earthy touch.

Now, let's introduce some Peruvian flair. The aji amarillo paste is a game-changer. This bright yellow chili paste adds both a kick and color, defining Peruvian cuisine. Spoon it right into the mix. Up next are the wet ingredients.

The soy sauce gives that touch of umami, while the lime juice, white vinegar, and orange juice introduce a tangy symphony. Freshly chopped cilantro and olive oil round out the flavors. After a good mix, take a little taste. Adjust with salt and pepper if needed.

Prepping the turkey :

Now, let's turn our attention to the star of the show. Your turkey needs a bit of prep. Remove any giblets or excess fat – these are usually inside or around the bird. Using paper towels, make sure the turkey is dry to ensure maximum marinade adhesion.

Here comes the fun part. Dive in and coat that bird with your freshly made marinade. Whether you're using hands or a brush, ensure no corner of the turkey remains untouched. Once thoroughly coated, tie its legs together with some kitchen twine and fold the wingtips under.

This not only ensures even cooking but also makes for a neat presentation. Once dressed in its marinade coat, the turkey takes a long rest in the fridge. Think of this as flavor therapy, lasting ideally overnight.

How to roast

When it's time to wake the turkey from its flavorful slumber, start by preheating your oven to 325°F. As the oven warms, get your roasting pan ready. Position the turkey on a rack, breast side up. To protect its skin from the intense heat, drape it with some aluminum foil.

The roasting duration depends on the turkey's weight. Roughly 15 minutes for every pound is a good guideline. But for the sake of precision, arm yourself with a meat thermometer. Once it reads 165°F when inserted into the turkey's thickest part, victory is yours.

Midway through its oven time, remember to remove the aluminum foil. This allows the skin to achieve that desirable golden-crispy finish. After its oven journey, give the turkey a well-deserved 20-30 minute rest outside the oven. This will make sure all those delicious juices settle properly.

There you have it, your detailed Peruvian turkey is ready for the feast.

Recipe ingredients

Turkey. Whole turkey thawed and cleaned, if necessary.

Garlic. This recipe uses a lot of minced garlic in the marinade to give a wonderful savory flavor.

Herbs and spices. Ground cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano.

Aji amarillo paste. This is a traditional chili paste that is a staple in Peruvian cooking. It is pretty spicy and has a bold flavor.

Soy sauce. Wonderful umami flavor that is a perfect accompaniment to the other bright flavors.

Lime juice and orange juice. This combination of citrus juices tenderizes the turkey while it sits in the marinade and gives a bright and citrusy flavor to the meat.

White vinegar. Gives a slight tangy flavor to the turkey and also helps to tenderize it.

Fresh cilantro. Chopped and used in the marinade to give a fresh and bright flavor to the turkey.

Olive oil. Use enough to cover the turkey entirely with the marinade, so it will stay extra moist and delicious while roasting.

How to prep a whole turkey for roasting

Start by thawing the turkey completely. If you have a frozen turkey allow it to thaw in the refrigerator for a couple of days. Typically it takes one day to thaw per 4-5 pounds of meat.

Next, remove the neck and/or giblet bag from the inside of the bird.

After covering the turkey with the marinade, tie the legs together with kitchen twine and tuck the ends of the wings underneath the bird. This keeps the wings from burning and helps everything to roast evenly.

Substitutions

Aji amarillo paste. If you can't find this traditional paste use hot red or green pepper paste instead for a similar flavor.

Citrus juices. You can use lemon juice instead of lime or use entirely one juice if you prefer.

Soy sauce. Use Tamari, liquid aminos, or coconut aminos instead. Just be careful with coconut aminos because it is pretty sweet and might make your roast turkey sweeter than you would like.

White vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar or a bit of lemon juice.

Oil. Your favorite neutral-flavored cooking oil can be used instead or even coconut oil.

Frequently asked questions

Thanksgiving side dishes ideas

• Baked Acorn Squash: Halved or sliced acorn squash brushed with butter and maple syrup, then baked until caramelized.
• Roasted Beet Salad: Roasted beets mixed with goat cheese, walnuts, and arugula, drizzled with a balsamic glaze.
• Broccoli Cheese Casserole: Broccoli florets mixed with a creamy cheese sauce, topped with breadcrumbs, and baked.
• Brussels Sprouts: Roasted, sautéed, or steamed, these can be paired with bacon or drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
• Cranberry Sauce: A tart and sweet sauce made from fresh cranberries, sugar, and sometimes orange zest or juice.
• Sweet Potato Casserole: Sweet potatoes mashed and topped with a layer of marshmallows or a crumbly pecan topping, then baked until golden.

Storage suggestions

For fridge storage, break the turkey down into smaller parts. Remove the legs, wings, and breasts. Place the carved meat into shallow, airtight containers. Stored like this, the turkey can remain in the fridge for up to four days.

Preheat your oven to 325°F. If you have large pieces of turkey, place them in a baking dish and add a touch of broth or water, which will help the turkey stay moist. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to hold in moisture. Reheat the turkey until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F, which you can check using a meat thermometer. This typically takes about 30 minutes.

After reheating, allow the turkey to rest for a few minutes before serving. This resting period lets the juices redistribute, making the meat tender and juicy.

Expert tips and notes

1. If you can find fresh aji amarillo peppers, you can blend them into a paste for a fresher, brighter flavor. Remember to remove the seeds to control the heat level.
2. If you don’t have a roasting rack, you can improvise by placing halved onions or whole carrots at the bottom of your roasting pan. This not only elevates the turkey for even cooking but also adds a delightful flavor to any drippings collected.
3. For an even more profound flavor infusion, consider piercing the turkey lightly with a fork before marinating. This allows the marinade to seep deeper into the meat, making every bite juicier and more flavorful.

More fall and Thanksgiving recipes

I have a large selection of turkey and pumpkin recipes on my site, and below you can find some of readers favorites:

• Air fryer turkey cutlets
• Turkey liver recipe
• 3 ingredient pumpkin bread
• Turkey deviled eggs
• Turkey neck soup
• Bang bang Brussels sprouts
• Amish pumpkin bread recipe
• Oreo pumpkin balls
• Pre smoked turkey wings recipe

Hope you will like this Peruvian turkey recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.