Aguadito de Pavo (The Best Use of Leftover Turkey)

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito, peruvian turkey and rice soup

Aguadito de Pavo
Peruvian Turkey & Rice Soup

The best use of leftover turkey? This is it. A vibrant spicy soup which utilizes the leftover turkey meat and well as the stock made from simmering the carcass for hours. And if your guests have overindulged, this soup is said to levanta muertos (raise the dead) and assist in carrying the revelry into the holiday weekend. Made with Pisco (a Peruvian Brandy) and spicy/fruity/yellow aji amarillo paste, its unique flavors pair with the nourishing and reviving vegetables, and just enough turkey to keep us in the holiday spirit…we’re not tired of the bird yet!

Aguadito de Pavo Recipe

 Aguadito de Pavo Recipe

Make a turkey stock by simmering the meaty Thanksgiving turkey carcass in filtered water with rough chopped carrot, onion, and celery for three hours or so. Strain the liquid and refrigerate over night. Remove any fat that has accumulated on top.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

Heat olive oil in a heavy soup pot. Saute 1/2 diced red onion until softened. Add 4 cloves of crushed garlic and 2 T. aji amarillo paste. Cut leftover turkey meat into bite-sized cubes. Add turkey to the mix and saute another 5 minutes. Add 1 c. Pisco (Peruvian Brandy) and 6 c. turkey stock to the pot. Bring to a boil.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

When the soup is boiling, add 1 c. long-grain white rice, peeled/diced red rose potatoes, sliced green beans, diced bell peppers, sliced jalapeno, and corn kernels to the pot. Lower the heat and cook until all the vegetables are tender and the rice is soft.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

Meanwhile, blend a bunch of fresh cilantro with just enough water to make a thick cilantro puree.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

Slice and dice peppers, and chop cilantro for garnish.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

When the soup is done cooking, season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls.

how to make aguadito de pavo, aguadito

Spoon cilantro puree over the center of the soup. Garnish with peppers and chopped cilantro.

how to use leftover turkey, aguadito recipe

Aguadito ~ it’s a party in a bowl!

(Recipe adapted from The Art of Peruvian Cuisine by Tony Custer)

10 thoughts on “Aguadito de Pavo (The Best Use of Leftover Turkey)”

  1. Looks terrific! I wish we’d had this instead of turkey a la king. I hadn’t had it before and wanted to know why it was such a cliche. Well, life is all about learning, I suppose.

  2. What a hearty turkey and rice soup! Love the addition of the green beans and the corn, but the cilantro paste makes it for me! I guess it’s time to pull that turkey carcass from the freezer and make some stock.

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