We introduced this recipe four years ago. Who knew it would be our iconic cornerstone in Polynesian recipes? We sure didn’t. But month after month Adobo Turkey Tails breaks records. Yes, its got a lot of fat, but that gives it that special crunchy flavor. Enjoy (in moderation, of course!)
| More recipes! We know you’ll love this, but if you’re looking for a different approach, try this Crisp and Tender Baked Turkey Tail recipe. Want to learn how to cook an island style ‘smoked’ turkey? Check out this blog. |
Adobo Turkey Tails
3 lbs turkey tails
½ cup reduced sodium soy sauce
1 cup water
½ cup rice wine vinegar
2 bay leaves
3 cloves of garlic chopped
½ teaspoon black pepper
Place tails in a single layer in the bottom of a large pot. Add all ingredients and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and cover. Cook for 45-60 minutes (depending on size) turning the tails once.
If making ahead of time, refrigerate the tails in the cooking sauce. The fat will rise and can be removed before finishing the dish. Dry the tails with a paper towel and grill or broil the tails until browned and crisp. In the meantime reduce the cooking liquid to about one cup to create adobo sauce.
Serve the tails with the sauce and white rice.
Author Bio
My name is Nina Jones. I have lived all across the west coast and traveled even farther, but never dreamed that I would end up in Hawaii. I am the simplest form of a foodie. I may not be a highly trained chef, but I know whats good.
I am most particularly interested in ethnic foods, and Oahu is especially divergent in it’s offerings. What a dream come true!
Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Our supplier of poultry products also offers turkey tails and chicken tails, so I will try this recipe for sure. Do you think I can replace the turkey tails with chicken tails, as I do have a 10kg box of them?
Well, this is not something I even knew was available, but I can’t imagine there would be any problems, just make sure that you shorten the cooking time as they will cook much faster. Also, I suggest that you spread them out a little so they don’t end up boiling in the juices too much (crispy is always better then mushy as far as I’m concerned.) Thank you for writing. I am going to have to come to the UK to try chicken tails, obviously!
Our supplier mainly serves Asian and African markets, so they have a wide variety of products which are uncommon on our local market. They also sell smoked turkey tails, and all such products seem rather cheap. (E.g. 0,59/kg for chicken tails.)
I’m from the Netherlands by the way, not the United Kingdom.
I Honolulu, frozen turkey tails are on sale this week for $1.29/lb.
Where, Bill? What store? I need to stock up on them!
i want some turkey taails shipped to nc. what stores incontinental us sells and ships to nc
tom
tgupton45@yahoo.com
Well now, I don’t really know North Carolina enough to know, but I looked on the Internet and found that HEB sells Turkey Tails online. That might be a place to start:
https://www.heb.com/product-detail/foster-farms-turkey-tails/374355
Otherwise, contact a local butchers shop. They should be able to answer your question.
Here in Hawaii they are right there in the meat section. We’re so lucky.
Are the turkey tails smoked?
No, generally they are simply turkey tails found in the frozen or meat section.
Can I bake it?
It’s not traditional, but I’ve baked other turkey tail recipes and love them. Why don’t you try and let us know how it turned out?