Main Course · Soup · Latin American ·

Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth

Name: Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 180 min
Total time: 240 min
Yield: 6 servings
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: 1 whole turkey leg, about 1.5 lbs; 8 cups water; 1 large onion, quartered; 2 garlic cloves, smashed; 1 bay leaf; 1 tablespoon achiote paste; 1 teaspoon ground allspice; 1 teaspoon cumin seeds; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 cloves; 2 large tomatoes, quartered; 2 green bell peppers, chopped; 3 small red potatoes, cubed; 2 carrots, sliced; 1 stalk of celery, chopped; Fresh cilantro, chopped; Lime wedges

Kak'ik is a vibrant, rich turkey soup celebrated in Guatemalan cuisine, known for its deep, complex flavors and unique blend of spices.

4.3(205 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·July 23, 2025

Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth — Main Course served and photographed from above

Prep

1 h

Cook

3 h

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

Turkey Broth

Spice Mix

Vegetable Mix

For Garnishing

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 299 kcal
Protein: 27 g
Carbs: 25 g
Fat: 10 g
Fiber: 4.8 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 1794 kcal
Protein: 163 g
Carbs: 147 g
Fat: 58 g
Fiber: 29 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
1 whole turkey leg about 1.5 lbs	1125	146	0	55	0
8 cups water	0	0	0	0	0
1 large onion quartered	60	2	14	0	3
2 garlic cloves smashed	9	0	2	0	0
1 bay leaf	0	0	0	0	0
1 tablespoon achiote paste	15	0	3	1	0
1 teaspoon ground allspice	6	0	1	0	1
1 teaspoon cumin seeds	8	0	1	1	1
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon	3	0	1	0	1
2 cloves	2	0	0	0	0
2 large tomatoes quartered	66	3	14	1	4
2 green bell peppers chopped	48	2	9	0	3
3 small red potatoes cubed	390	9	87	0	10
2 carrots sliced	50	1	12	0	4
1 stalk of celery chopped	6	0	1	0	1
Fresh cilantro chopped	1	0	0	0	0
Lime wedges	5	0	2	0	1

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Marinating the Turkey

1
Season
Rub the turkey leg with salt and let it rest for 10 minutes.
2
Combine Ingredients
In a large pot, combine the turkey leg, water, onion, garlic, and bay leaf.
3
Simmer
Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 hours.
Tip: Ensure turkey is fully cooked to avoid food safety issues.

Preparing the Spice Mix

1
Toast Seeds
In a dry skillet, toast the cumin seeds until fragrant.
Tip: Toasting spices enhances their flavor and aroma.
2
Grind Spices
Grind all spices together into a fine powder.
3
Form Paste
Mix the ground spices with achiote paste to form a spice paste.

How to Make Guatemalan Kak'ik with Spiced Turkey Broth

Total time: 4 h · Yields 6 servings

1
Broth Preparation
Strain the cooked broth and discard solids.
2
Spice Infusion
Add the spice paste to the broth and simmer for 20 minutes.
3
Vegetable Cooking
Add the potatoes, carrots, and celery to the broth and simmer for another 30 minutes.