Highland Turkey Seco with Naranjilla and Golden Hominy

Name: Highland Turkey Seco with Naranjilla and Golden Hominy
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Ecuatoriana
Ingredients: 1.5 lb Turkey breast, cubed; 3 cups Cooked hominy; 1 cup Naranjilla; 2 medium Red onion; 1 cup Red bell pepper; 4 cloves Garlic; 1 cup Fresh cilantro; 1 tsp Ground cumin; 1 tsp Ground annatto; 1/2 tsp Dried oregano; 1 1/2 cups Chicken broth; 1/2 cup Orange juice; 3 tbsp Annatto oil; 1 1/2 tbsp Butter; 2 tbsp Lime; 1 tbsp Apple cider vinegar; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 1/4 tsp Salt; 1/2 tsp Black pepper; 1/4 cup Roasted peanuts

An original Ecuadorian dish inspired by Andean highland flavors: turkey slowly simmered in a fragrant sauce of naranjilla, cilantro, and annatto, served with golden hominy and quick-pickled onion. It balances bright acidity, herbal notes, and comforting texture.

25 minPrep

45 minCook

70 minTotal

4Servings

Gluten-FreeHigh Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

700 g Turkey breast, cubed (cut into 1.2-inch cubes)
500 g Cooked hominy (drained)
240 g Naranjilla (blended and strained pulp)
300 g Red onion (1 sliced for pickling, 1 chopped for the stew)
120 g Red bell pepper (small diced)
15 g Garlic (minced)
35 g Fresh cilantro (chopped, divided)
3 g Ground cumin
4 g Ground annatto
1 g Dried oregano
360 ml Chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
120 ml Orange juice (fresh)
45 ml Annatto oil (divided)
20 g Butter
30 ml Lime (juice)
15 ml Apple cider vinegar
4 g Sugar
8 g Salt (or to taste)
2 g Black pepper (freshly ground)
35 g Roasted peanuts (coarsely chopped)

Nutrition facts

per serving

472 kcal

Calories

41 g

Protein

31 g

Carbs

19 g

Fat

5 g

Fiber

26 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

DairyPeanuts

Instructions

1
1. In a bowl, mix the naranjilla juice, orange juice, half of the garlic, cumin, oregano, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Add the turkey and marinate for 15 minutes in the refrigerator.
2
2. Meanwhile, make the quick-pickled onion: place half of the red onion, thinly sliced, in a bowl with the lime juice, apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Massage for 30 seconds and set aside.
3
3. Heat 2 tablespoons of annatto oil in a large pot over medium heat. If using temperature control, aim for about 320°F / 160°C on the base of the pot. Brown the drained turkey for 4 to 5 minutes, turning to sear several sides. Remove and reserve the marinade.
4
4. In the same pot, add the remaining chopped onion, red bell pepper, and the rest of the garlic. Cook for 5 minutes until the onion softens. Stir in the ground annatto and cook for 30 seconds more.
5
5. Return the turkey to the pot. Add the reserved marinade, chicken broth, and half of the cilantro. Once it reaches a gentle boil, lower the heat and cook covered for 25 minutes, keeping a light simmer around 195°F / 90°C, until the turkey is tender and the sauce is slightly thickened.
6
6. While the seco cooks, heat a large skillet over medium heat, about 350°F / 175°C on the cooking surface. Add 1 tablespoon annatto oil and the butter. Stir in the cooked hominy, a pinch of salt, and a little black pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring, until some of the hominy turns golden and lightly crisp.
7
7. Add the remaining cilantro to the stew and adjust with the remaining salt and black pepper. Cook uncovered for 3 to 5 minutes more to fine-tune the sauce consistency.
8
8. Serve the highland turkey seco over a bed of golden hominy. Finish with the quick-pickled onion and chopped roasted peanuts on top.

Chef tips

For deeper flavor, marinate the turkey for up to 1 hour. If the naranjilla is very tart, balance it with 1 extra teaspoon of sugar in the sauce. Let the hominy sit briefly between stirs for better browning and texture.

Substitutions

You can replace naranjilla with a mild passion fruit blend plus a little orange juice if unavailable. The hominy can be swapped for cooked corn kernels, though the result will be sweeter. For a dairy-free version, use only annatto oil instead of butter.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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Illustrative image
T-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
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