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    Home » Recipes » Mexican » Turkey Pibil Tamales

    Turkey Pibil Tamales

    Last Updated November 9, 2022. Originally Posted February 1, 2020 By Maggie Unzueta

    This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    These delicious Turkey Pibil Tamales are packed with flavor. Each bite is satisfying and out of this world.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Two turkey pibil tamales on a corn husk topped with pickled red onions and chopped cilantro.

    Two turkey pibil tamales on a corn husk topped with pickled red onions and chopped cilantro.

    One of my absolute favorite dishes from Southern Mexico is Cochinita Pibil. Not to mention, Pollo Pibil which is basically the same thing but made with chicken.

    This recipe for Turkey Pibil Tamales was born out of leftovers.

    There was leftover pibil sauce. There was leftover turkey from Thanksgiving dinner. Put them together, and you have some insanely delicious tamales.

    More authentic Mexican tamales:
    Jalapeno Cheese Tamales, Red Pork Tamales, Beef Tamales.

    A collage showing how to clean corn husks for tamales.

    How do you clean corn husks for tamales?

    • Separate them and remove any debris like hair.
    • Place them in a deep container and cover them with hot water.
    • On top of the husks, place an object that’s heavy enough to submerge under the water.
    • Let them sit in the hot water for 30 minutes to overnight.

    Once they are pliable, they are ready for assembling tamales.

    Do you eat the corn husk on tamales?
    No. Remove the corn husk and discard. Tamales are eaten with a fork and knife.

    The ingredients for pibil sauce on a wooden surface.

    • See above these are the ingredients you need to make the sauce (MINUS the limes) .
    • You can also make this ahead of time and store in the freezer.

    Pibil sauce is typically made with sour oranges. They can be hard to find in the US. Instead use a mixture of equal parts orange juice and lime juice.

    Not all tamales are savory. Check out these dessert tamales: Tamales de Cajeta and Sweet Tamales.

    Two side-by-side pictures showing the ingredients to make pibil sauce before and after they have been blended.

    • Add the ingredients to the blender.
    • Blend until smooth. Set aside until ready to use.

    What does the sauce for cochinita pibil taste like?
    The sauce is very aromatic from all the spices. Earthy from the achiote and chiles. It is not spicy but deep in flavors and slightly sweet from the oranges.

    You can freeze any leftover sauce. Pibil sauce lasts up to 6 months in the freezer in an airtight container.

    Two pictures side-by-side showing turkey meat in a stock pot with and without the pibil sauce.

    • Chop up the leftover turkey and place in a stock pot.
    • Add pibil sauce to the turkey. Mix and cook for 15 minutes.

    Let this cool before assembling.

    Instead of turkey, you can also use leftover pork or chicken.

    What is Yucatan style?
    Yucatan style refers to recipes using pibil sauce that uses oranges and spices. The sauce is then used to marinade meat and slow cooked in banana leaves.

    A collage showing how to spread masa and add the filling then wrap tamales.

    • Spread masa on a corn husk.
    • Using your best judgement, add some of the turkey pibil.
    • Fold the sides in.
    • Fold the pointy side inward.

    Place folded tamales in a container, standing up with the opening facing up. This is to prevent the filling from falling out.

    How much masa equals how many dozens of tamales?
    One pound of masa will make about one dozen tamales.

    Hand holding an assembled but uncooked tamal.

    Why do tamales stick to husk?
    If the masa is sticking to the husk, it probably needed more lard or shortening. Lard helps tamales from sticking to the husk. Learn how to make Homemade Masa for Tamales.

    How long are tamales good in fridge?
    Wrap the tamales in a plastic container, and they will last up to 5 days. In the freezer, store the tamales in an airtight sealable bag, remove as much air as possible, and they will last up to 6 months.

    Tamales with the open side up inside a metal steamer.

    • Add the water to the steamer.
    • Place the Turkey Pibil Tamales open side up.
    • Cover with a lid and cook for 1 ½-2 hours.

    Pro Tip: You can make tamales in nearly half the time using an instant pot. See more Instant Pot Pork Tamales and Instant Pot Chicken Tamales.

    What to serve with tamales: pickled red onions, refried beans, and more pibil sauce.

    Did you make this recipe? Please rate the recipe below!

    Two turkey pibil tamales on a corn husk topped with pickled red onions and chopped cilantro.

    Turkey Pibil Tamales

    These delicious Turkey Pibil Tamales are packed with flavor. Each bite is satisfying and out of this world.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner
    Cuisine: Mexican
    Prep Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
    Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
    Servings: 40
    Calories: 126kcal
    Author: Maggie Unzueta

    Ingredients

    For the Sauce:

    • 10 guajillo chiles
    • 4 cup water
    • 1 cup orange juice
    • 1 cup lime juice
    • 1 onion rough chopped
    • 1 garlic bulb
    • 1 tspn oregano
    • 1/2 tspn pepper
    • 1/4 tspn cumin
    • 1 bar achiote
    • 1/2 cinnamon stick
    • 1 cup water

    For the Tamales:

    • 6 cups cooked turkey diced
    • 2 1/2-3 lbs prepared masa
    • 40-45 corn husks
    • water enough to fill the steamer

    Instructions

    To make the sauce:

    • Remove stems and cut lengthwise on all the chiles. 
    • Remove the seeds and any veins. 
    • Place in a pot. Cover with 4 cups of water. 
    • Bring to a boil. Turn heat off. 
    • Let sit for 5-10 minutes, until pliable. 
    • Discard the water. 
    • Add the rehydrated chile and the remaining sauce ingredients. 
    • Blend until smooth. 
    • Strain the sauce. Set aside.
    • Reserve 1 cup of the sauce for serving in the fridge.

    For the Corn Husks: 

    • Separate the husks. 
    • Remove any debris like hair or dirt. 
    • Place in a large container. 
    • Cover with hot water. 
    • Add a heavy object over the husks so they can be submerged in water. 
    • This will take a minimum 30 minutes. 

    For the Filling:

    • Add diced turkey and sauce to a large pot. 
    • Mix to combine. 
    • Cook for 15 minutes. 
    • Let cool before assembling tamales.

    How to Assemble Tamales:

    • Shake off any excess water from the corn husks. 
    • Smear a thin layer of masa on the husk. 
    • Use your best judgement on how much filling to add. 
    • Fold one side of the corn husk in. 
    • Fold the other side of husk in. 
    • Fold the pointy top inward. 
    • Place upright with the open side up while assembling the rest of the tamales. 
    • Add water to the steamer. 
    • Arrange the uncooked tamales inside the steamer with the open side up. 
    • Cover with the lid. 
    • Cook for 1 ½ to 2 hours.
    • Wrap and serve with reserved pibil sauce and pickled onions.

    Notes

    Pibil sauce lasts up to 6 months in the freezer in an airtight container.
    Swap out options: Instead of leftover turkey, use chicken or pork. 
    The tamales are done when the corn masa peels away from the corn husks easily. 
    Pro Tip: If the tamales are not ready after 2 hours, turn off the heat and let them sit in the steamer for an hour. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 24g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 2g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 7mg | Sodium: 15mg | Potassium: 137mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 313IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @MamaMaggiesKitchen or tag #MamaMaggiesKitchen!


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    Filed Under: Mexican

    About Maggie Unzueta

    Maggie Unzueta is the writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer, videographer, and creator of In Mama Maggie's Kitchen. She has been developing easy and authentic Mexican food, Mexican-inspired recipes, and traveling tips since 2010. From family recipes to her extensive travels throughout Mexico, she brings traditional Mexican flavors from South of the Border and into your kitchen. Maggie has been featured in notable culinary websites and other media outlets. For more details, check out her About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Alexandra

      July 27, 2020 at 5:31 am

      5 stars
      These are so tasty – we had never made tamales before, but this will be our go to recipe from now on!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 27, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        This recipe is amazing. Glad you liked it!

        Reply
    2. Sue

      July 27, 2020 at 6:46 am

      5 stars
      Tamales from leftover turkey! Genius!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 27, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        Right? We love them too!

        Reply
    3. Emily Flint

      July 27, 2020 at 8:15 am

      5 stars
      I’ve always wanted to make tamales at home and this pibil sauce sounds amazing! I can’t wait to try it.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 27, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Hope you try it Emily!

        Reply
    4. Andréa Janssen

      July 27, 2020 at 10:50 am

      5 stars
      I love tamales and this recipe with turkey is so flavorful. Really delicious!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 27, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        I think so too! flavorful is the appropriate word!

        Reply
    5. Estelle Forrest

      July 27, 2020 at 10:57 am

      5 stars
      I love adding citrus to my meals! These look so dang good!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 27, 2020 at 3:52 pm

        Thank you very much. Glad you like it

        Reply
    6. Amy

      July 27, 2020 at 8:27 pm

      5 stars
      These look super tasty! Having friends over on the weekend so I might try this!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 29, 2020 at 10:10 am

        Hope you and your friends love this recipe as much as I do!

        Reply
    7. Chef Dennis

      July 28, 2020 at 2:30 am

      5 stars
      Oh how I love tamales! And this Turkey Pibil Tamales looks really scrumptious!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 29, 2020 at 10:10 am

        Tamales are amazing, I love them too!

        Reply
    8. Marina

      July 28, 2020 at 5:33 am

      5 stars
      Fantastic dish, cannot wait to try it. We love turkey but never had it this way. Thanks for sharing this recipe

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 29, 2020 at 10:10 am

        It’s different and delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply
    9. Leslie

      July 28, 2020 at 10:46 am

      5 stars
      My mind Is blown with this recipe! I feel like I’ve been missing out on life not knowing about these! YUM!!

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 29, 2020 at 10:09 am

        This recipe is amazing! Hope you try it

        Reply
    10. Debra

      July 29, 2020 at 7:34 am

      5 stars
      Tamales for the win. A favorite in our house. Nice tasty additions you have in your recipe.

      Reply
      • Maggie U

        July 29, 2020 at 10:07 am

        Right? this recipe is delicious. Hope you try it!

        Reply

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