Go Back
+ servings
Pan con Pavo " Shredded Turkey Sandwich": A new way to enjoy Leftovers Holiday Feast

Easy Pan con Pavo

Camila Benitez
Pan con Pavo, also known as Panes con Chumpe, is a traditional Latin dish that translates to "turkey with bread," offering a different and tasty way to use leftover turkey. I'll share how I prepare Pan con Pavo for my family in today's post.
4.94 from 33 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Course
Cuisine Latin American
Servings 15

Ingredients
  

  • 8 fresh tomatoes , chopped
  • 1- 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil , olive oil, canola, or vegetable oil
  • 1 large yellow onion , chopped
  • 1 Poblano pepper or bell pepper (any color), chopped
  • 8 cloves garlic , minced
  • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt , to taste
  • 3 teaspoons dried oregano
  • 2 cups hot water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 Chile Ancho
  • 1 Chile Guajillo or Chile California
  • 1 Chile Pasilla
  • 3 Chile Arbol
  • 1 packets Sazon Goya Culantro y Achiote
  • 2 tablespoons Knorr Chicken Flavor Bouillon
  • Turkey: Leftover shredded turkey. (The sauce is large enough to accommodate 5 cups of leftover turkey meat or more). *Disassemble the turkey into large pieces or shreds.

To Assemble:

  • 8 or more large hoagie , submarine, bolillo rolls, or french rolls, as needed
  • 1 small cabbage , shredded or 16 leaves remain lettuce (left whole)
  • 1 bunch of Watercress or Cilantro
  • 2 cucumbers , unpeeled and sliced in thin slices
  • 8 radishes , thinly sliced
  • 1 cup mayonnaise , to taste
  • 1 large white or red onion , cut in half, and thinly sliced
  • 1 cup yellow mustard , to taste

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. When hot, add the chile arbol, chile guajillo, Chile Pasilla, and chile ancho and saute, stirring for 1 to 2 minutes or until the oil begins to turn a bit orange from the chiles; remove them from the pot with a slotted spoon and set aside.
  • Add the garlic, fresh tomatoes, poblanos pepper, and onion, and cook over medium-low heat until the vegetables soften, occasionally stirring about 10 to 12 minutes. Return the chiles into the saucepan, add the crushed canned tomato, rinse the can with 2 cups of hot water, and add the water to the pan; season with chicken bouillon and sazon goya culantro y achiote, sugar, black pepper, and red pepper flakes to taste.
  • Bring to a boil and immediately reduce heat to low, stirring and constantly scraping the bottom of the pan.
  • Using an immersion or standard blender, process the mixture in batches until smooth enough for your taste. If using a standard blender, take care not to fill the jar more than half full per batch, leave the hole in the lid open, cover with a clean dishtowel to allow the heat to escape), and pour it back into the saucepan.
  • Add the disassembled or shredded turkey and bay leaves to the saucepan to help the sauce develop more flavor, and bring the sauce to a simmer and cook, occasionally stirring, until it has deepened in color and reduced slightly, about 30 to 45 minutes (if the sauce begins to scorch, lower the heat). The sauce is done when the sauce is thickened and no longer watery.
  • Taste and adjust the season with salt and pepper, if needed. Remove the bay leaves along with the turkey and set aside until the turkey is cool enough to handle. Shred into bite-size pieces using your hands or two forks, discard the bones, return the meat to the pot and stir to combine.

To Assemble the Pan con Pavo:

  • On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, assemble all vegetables. Set aside. Preheat the oven to 400° F
  • Toast your Bolillo Rolls on the middle rack of the oven, either on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or directly on the grates, for about 10 minutes, flipping it halfway through.
  • Place toasted Bolillo Rolls on each plate, cut lengthwise, and spread mayonnaise on one side of the bread. The other side spread mustard, top each bread with shredded cabbage or two pieces of lettuces, cucumber slices, a couple of onions, and radish slices.
  • Mound the shredded chicken into each bun, scoop a small spoonful of sauce onto each sandwich, and top with watercress or cilantro. Repeat the process with the remaining Bolillo Rolls. Buen provecho! 😋🍻

Notes

How to Store & Re-Heat
To store: Wrap leftover assembled sandwiches individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness. Alternatively, store the shredded turkey and tomato sauce separately in airtight containers, along with the fresh vegetables in separate containers. Refrigerate all components within 2 hours of cooking and keep them in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Properly storing the different components separately will prevent the bread from becoming soggy and maintain the integrity of the flavors.
To reheat: When reheating Pan con Pavo, there are a few options depending on your preference. For assembled sandwiches, remove the wrapping and reheat in the oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) until warm. If the components are stored separately, warm the tomato sauce and shredded turkey on the stovetop in a saucepan until heated. Toast the bread slices in the oven for a few minutes until warm and slightly crispy.
You can also use the microwave for individual sandwiches and the turkey and sauce mixture. Alternatively, reheat assembled sandwiches on a stovetop skillet or griddle for a crispier texture. Always ensure the internal temperature of the turkey reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption. Serve the Pan con Pavo immediately after reheating, allowing everyone to enjoy its rich flavors and textures.
Make Ahead
Turkey Stew "Salsa de Pan con Pavo" can be made up to 3 days ahead. First, let it cool, cover, and chill. Then when you're ready to eat, gently reheat on a stovetop over medium heat or in the microwave. Assemble the Panes con Pavo before serving so they don't get soggy.
Notes:
  • I highly recommend disassembling the turkey and leaving the bone to help develop more flavor in the sauce.
  • Store leftover Shredded Turkey Sandwich "Pan con Pavo" sauce in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to three days.
  • When blending hot liquid, let it cool for five minutes, then transfer it to a blender, filling only halfway. Put the lid on, leaving one corner open. Cover the lid with a kitchen towel to catch splatters and pulse until smooth.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Pan con Pavo
Amount per Serving
Calories
261
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
17
g
26
%
Saturated Fat
 
3
g
19
%
Trans Fat
 
0.03
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
8
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Cholesterol
 
6
mg
2
%
Sodium
 
602
mg
26
%
Potassium
 
643
mg
18
%
Carbohydrates
 
25
g
8
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
6
g
12
%
Vitamin A
 
1933
IU
39
%
Vitamin C
 
51
mg
62
%
Calcium
 
104
mg
10
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

Did you Like the Recipe?We would appreciate it if you could rate it. Also, make sure to check out our Youtube Channel for more great recipes. Please share it on social media and tag us so we can see your delicious creations. Thank you!