🇨🇺 Cuban Cuisine

Croquetas de Jamón de Pavo

Turkey Ham Croquettes

Prep Time 30 min + chilling

Servings 6

Difficulty Medium

Calories 321 kcal

Crispy golden croquettes with a creamy béchamel center studded with smoked turkey, a beloved Cuban snack found at every cafeteria window in Miami and Havana.

Ingredients

300g smoked turkey breast, finely minced
3 tbsp butter
1/4 cup flour
1.5 cups whole milk
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Salt and white pepper
1 cup flour for dredging
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups breadcrumbs
Oil for frying

Instructions

1 Melt butter in a saucepan. Add flour and cook 2 min to form a roux.
2 Gradually whisk in milk. Cook, stirring constantly, until very thick béchamel forms, about 5 min.
3 Fold in minced turkey, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Spread onto a baking sheet and refrigerate 2 hours until firm.
4 Shape into small cylinders (about 5cm long).
5 Dredge in flour, dip in egg, then coat in breadcrumbs.
6 Fry at 180°C (350°F) for 2-3 min until deep golden. Drain on paper towels.

Did You Know?

In Miami, Cuban croquetas are served through ventanitas (small café windows) and consumed standing up — they are the city's unofficial street food.