Tropical Twist on a Classic: Plátano Maduro and Chorizo Stuffing

Skip the classic bread stuffing and add a tropical twist to your turkey. Try a savory, sweet Plátano Maduro and Chorizo stuffing!

The holiday season is upon us, and I get to do plenty of my favorite activity: cooking! Last Christmas, I decided to experiment a little with our traditional dinner menu. I ended up creating a dish that was an instant hit: Plátano Maduro and Chorizo Stuffing with ripe plantains I found in the freezer aisle. I’m a fan of salty-sweet dishes (some of you know my love affair with pastelón), and this stuffing reminds me of that flavor profile. 

Why Plátano Maduro and Chorizo Stuffing?

The idea of combining ripe plantains with chorizo came to me on a whim. Ripe plantains have a natural sweetness that pairs excellently with chorizo’s spicy, savory notes. This year, I sourced fresh chorizo from my local farmer’s market and used conveniently frozen ripe plantains, which I microwaved. Purists: don’t come at me! Tossing frozen ripe plantains in the microwave will save you lots of time! The result? A stuffing that’s both flavorful and easy to prepare.

Preparation: The easiest stuffing you’ll ever make 

One of the best things about this plátano maduro and chorizo stuffing is its simplicity. It’s a no-fuss recipe that takes less than 30 minutes, leaving plenty of time to focus on your other dinner preparations. If you don’t like chorizo, you can also use turkey sausage or salchichón. While you microwave the plantains, prep the chorizo mix. Tip: Add a little extra chicken broth to keep the stuffing moist if serving as a side. Adjust the seasoning with sazon and adobo to suit your taste.

Your Turn!

I’d love to hear if you’ve tried making ripe plantain and chorizo stuffing or other unconventional stuffing recipes. Share your experiences and creations in the comments!

This stuffing isn’t just a dish but a way to bring a little slice of the tropics to your home. After all, Puerto Rico does have the longest holiday season in the world! So, why give it a try this holiday season? It may become your new tradition!

Plátano Maduro and Chorizo Stuffing

Print Recipe

Platano and chorizo stuffing is a tropical alternative to traditional stuffing. Made with ripe plantains and chorizo, it makes for a unique side dish for your holiday table. 

• Author: Dining Traveler
• Prep Time: 15 Minutes
• Cook Time: 15
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 Cups 1x
• Category: Side Dishes
• Cuisine: Puerto Rican

Ingredients

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• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2–3 cloves of garlic
• 5–6 ripe platanos or 4 packages of pre-cut ripe platanos
• 3/4 cup of chicken broth (see notes)
• sazon & adobo to taste (around 1 tsp each)
• 2 cups of chorizo or salchichon chopped into small cubes

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Instructions

1. In a skillet, heat the olive oil.
2. Add the small onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent.
3. Add the garlic cloves and chorizo, and sautee until cooked, around 5 minutes, stirring often. 
4. Deglaze the skillet with a splash of chicken broth.
5. Add the cooked plantains to a bowl and mash with a potato masher. Add around 1/4 cup of the chicken broth to make it smoother.
6. Add the cooked chorizo and onion mix to the plantains and mix well.
7. Stuff your turkey or chicken with it, or serve on the side. Tip: if serving on the side, add around 1/4 cup of the chicken broth to moisten before serving.