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    Home » Recipes » Dinner Recipes

    Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup (Aguadito de Cava)

    Published: Nov 23, 2014 · Modified: Oct 27, 2022 by Samantha Ferraro · This post may contain affiliate links · 22 Comments

    Jump to Recipe

    Spice up your Thanksgiving leftovers with aguadito, aka a flavorful Peruvian cilantro soup made with turkey, potatoes and rice.

    Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup via LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    So with all the leftover turkey we had  after our obligatory gorge extravaganza, I really wanted to spice things up. We kept all the bones and made a huge batch of turkey stock which is now happily in freezer bags. (That is a MUST with bones...keep them!)

    Soup sounded perfect but I craved something spicy to knock off the impeding sniffles that were coming. This Peruvian cilantro soup did the trick! Normally made with chicken (aguadito de pollo), turkey became the perfect substitute (aguadito de cava).

    Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup via LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    The gorgeous green hue is thanks to a blend of aji amarillo paste, cilantro, parsley, onions and garlic. Blend to a deep green and add that to your soup base. Not only a bit spicy, but aguadito is full of texture with rice, potatoes, peas and corn. Really, if you have leftover veggies, throw those in too!

    Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup via LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    Peruvian Cilantro and Turkey Soup (Aguadito de Cava)

    Samantha Ferraro

    LittleFerraroKitchen.com

    This soup can be easily made with leftover chicken or turkey. You can find aji amarillo paste at many Latin or Mexican markets.
    5 from 16 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 40 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Main, Soup
    Cuisine Peruvian
    Servings 8 servings
    Calories 530 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Cilantro Paste

    • 2 Tb aji amarillo
    • 1 large bunch cilantro
    • 1 small bunch fresh parsley
    • 2 garlic cloves roughly chopped
    • ½ white onion roughly chopped
    • ¼ cup water for thinning consistency

    Soup

    • 2 red yellow or orange bell peppers, chopped
    • 2 carrots peeled and chopped
    • ½ cup white rice uncooked
    • ½ teaspoon cumin
    • 2 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and chopped into 1 inch pieces
    • 6 cups chicken or turkey stock
    • 1 cup cooked turkey meat cubed or shredded
    • 1 cup peas I used frozen
    • 1 cup corn I used frozen
    • Salt and pepper to taste
    • Olive oil for drizzling
    • Lime wedges for garnish
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • First make the paste. In a food processor or blender, add all of the paste ingredients. Blend until smooth and deep green. Set aside.
    • To make the soup, in a large pot, saute chopped bell pepper and carrots in olive oil until begins to soften, about 4-5 minutes.
    • Add uncooked rice and toss in the oil. Then add cumin and pour in cilantro paste, mixing everything together to coat the rice.
    • Next, add potatoes, turkey and and turkey stock and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the potatoes and rice are tender.
    • When potatoes are tender, then add the frozen corn and peas, which will cook very quickly. Ladle into bowls and garnish with lime wedges.

    Notes

    This soup can be easily made with leftover chicken or turkey.
    You can find aji amarillo paste at many Latin or Mexican markets.
    Recipe inspired by Peru Delights

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 530kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 14gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 23gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 120mgPotassium: 678mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3676IUVitamin C: 30mgCalcium: 43mgIron: 2mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a comment and 5 star rating!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. cavoletto says

      December 15, 2014 at 5:41 pm

      5 stars
      This is totally different from anything I've ever seen (also: I don't know anything about peruvian cuisine), very appealing!!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        December 15, 2014 at 10:59 pm

        I'm not too familiar with Peruvian cuisine either, but I do know about the aji amarillo paste which is awesome!! And the cuisine also adds a lot of potatoes and corn to their dishes.

        Reply
    2. Julie+@+Texan+New+Yorker says

      December 02, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      I love Peruvian food, I love that you make it with Thanksgiving leftovers!!

      Reply
    3. Cindys Recipes and Writings says

      November 26, 2014 at 6:38 pm

      5 stars
      What a tasty way to use up leftover turkey!

      Reply
    4. Sarah says

      November 26, 2014 at 5:57 pm

      5 stars
      With the blustery weather, this will be perfect!

      Reply
    5. Christie says

      November 26, 2014 at 1:23 am

      5 stars
      That soup looks amazing!!! It is definitely #onthemenu

      Reply
    6. Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says

      November 25, 2014 at 7:49 pm

      5 stars
      I love the flavors of Peruvian cuisine! This soup looks incredible!

      So...what is aji amarillo? A pepper?

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 26, 2014 at 8:05 am

        I guess it would be smart to explain that huh..haha Yup, a pepper, but they make it in paste form in a jar. Goya makes it ad I find it at Latin markets!

        Reply
    7. Ala says

      November 25, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      5 stars
      Funnily enough, we've never been big fans of leftover turkey sandwiches around here--but I'm totally on board with this soup, I love the flavor blast (and cilantro--my heart, be still!).

      Reply
    8. Nichole says

      November 25, 2014 at 2:39 pm

      5 stars
      I love all types of cuisine, but somehow I have no idea how I have never had Peruvian food. I need to change this, stat!

      Reply
    9. Bobbi's+Kozy+Kitchen says

      November 24, 2014 at 2:44 pm

      5 stars
      That is one gorgeous bowl of soup!!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 25, 2014 at 9:58 am

        Thanks Bobbi!!! 🙂

        Reply
    10. Liz says

      November 23, 2014 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      Whoa, does your soup look crazy good! Spicy and delicious...you'd never know you were eating leftovers.
      P.S. Love the idea of a pre-Thanksgiving turkey dinner!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 23, 2014 at 12:12 pm

        Thanks Liz!!

        Reply
    11. Tara says

      November 23, 2014 at 11:34 am

      5 stars
      You always make a delicious looking recipe and you have done it again, YUM!!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 23, 2014 at 12:12 pm

        Thank you so much Tara!

        Reply
    12. MealDiva says

      November 23, 2014 at 7:32 am

      5 stars
      What a yummy looking bowl of soup!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 23, 2014 at 8:14 am

        It was delish..thank you!

        Reply
    13. Constance J Smith says

      November 23, 2014 at 7:27 am

      5 stars
      I was recently introduced to Peruvian food by a lady who is a native of there. It was amazing, and I bet this soup is too!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 23, 2014 at 8:13 am

        Yes...so much flavor!! Thanks Constance!

        Reply
    14. Jennie+@themessybakerblog says

      November 23, 2014 at 6:30 am

      5 stars
      Sam, this soup looks unbelievably delicious. So much flavor happening--yum!

      Reply
      • Samantha says

        November 23, 2014 at 8:13 am

        Thanks Jennie!!! And thanks for hosting..you rocked it this week!

        Reply

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