Tradition with a Twist: 5 Latinx Women Reimagine Classic Family Recipes for Today’s Kitchen

For Latinxs, food is never just physical nourishment; it is also a cultural and emotional experience.

It’s one of our most powerful cultural languages — a means of expressing love, friendship, and care. It represents our unity in the face of all odds. It’s childhood memories with abuelita and abuelito, and the aromas of long afternoons spent cooking with them after school.

Food embodies togetherness and honors the family-comes-first spirit that defines Latinx culture across all nationalities. These rich recipes are now being passed down across generations and borders in the United States.

Preserving these recipes carries immense emotional weight for us, as it honors those who came before us and the sacrifices they made for our future.

Over the past month, we’ve discovered the secrets behind five beloved recipes from Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Cuba, shared by five remarkable home cooks. While preserving the heart and soul of each dish, each recipe features a creative twist using JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey — a fresh ingredient that perfectly complements the bold seasonings, textures, and spirit of these Latinx staple recipes.

From Cuban picadillo to Mexican albóndigas and more, these dishes prove we can make mindful choices in the kitchen without sacrificing tradition or flavor.

Check out our selection below — dishes that are soul-nourishing and deeply rooted in our heritage:

1. Red Enchiladas (Enchiladas Rojas), by Daisy Campuzano

Although she holds a degree in political science, Daisy’s true calling emerged in the kitchen five years ago, following the birth of her first child. Driven to nourish her son with balanced meals, she immersed herself in cooking, especially recipes that honored her family’s traditions and celebrated her rich Mexican heritage.

For her collaboration with the JENNIE-O® Brand, she chose to spotlight a dish woven into the fabric of her family memories: red enchiladas.

More than just a recipe, Daisy calls them “part of her identity,” a dish that holds a special place in her heart thanks to her mother, who lovingly prepares them for her birthday each year.

“It’s a true act of love,” Daisy shares, as the careful — and usually messy — preparation process requires extra care: dipping the tortillas in sauce, then in hot oil, and finally, cleaning up the aftermath.

While her mom’s traditional version uses chicken, Daisy gave the dish a fresh, flavorful twist by incorporating JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey, a leaner option that maintains all the bold, comforting flavors she grew up with.

Check out her original recipe for Enchiladas Rojas here!

2. Yuca Empanadas (Empanadas de Yuca), by Beatriz Santiago

Beatriz Santiago’s cooking philosophy centers on the belief that a good dish isn’t about perfection — it’s about authenticity and heart. Growing up as the eldest of eight children in a home shaped by hardship, she learned early about resilience and the transformative power of love.

Despite life’s challenges, Beatriz shares that her mother always ensured there was a homemade Puerto Rican meal on the table — a tradition that has endured. Years later, after living in foster care and welcoming her first daughter, cooking became Beatriz’s way of recreating a sense of home.

For her collaboration with the JENNIE-O® Brand, she shares a personal favorite: Yuca Empanadas filled with seasoned JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey, a dish that reflects both her conscious lifestyle and cultural heritage. “My love language is food,” Beatriz states with a confident, tender smile.

Check out her original recipe for Empanadas de Yuca here!

3. Turkey Meatball Soup (Sopa de Albóndigas), by Vivi Vianey

For Vivi Vianey, the kitchen is a space of creativity, memory, and connection. Her childhood unfolded in her grandmother’s kitchen, where she learned Mexican cuisine hands-on. Abuelita Elisa remains her greatest teacher and inspiration, especially now that she’s a professional cook dedicated to experimenting with her culinary roots and keeping her heritage alive.

A lesson from her abuelita guides her cooking philosophy: use what you have and make it count. That resourcefulness and heart shine through in her favorite comfort dish — albóndigas soup.

For her collaboration with the JENNIE-O® Brand, Vivi transformed this childhood classic using JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey to create a feel-good version.

The dish carries special meaning for Vivi, as it once reunited her family after her grandmother’s passing, rekindling memories of home and shared traditions. “It was one of the most special days of my life,” she recalls warmly.

Check out her original recipe for Sopa de Albóndigas here! (in Spanish)

4. Turkey Meatloaf with Chipotle Glaze (Pastel de Carne de Pavo con Glaseado de Chipotle), by Laura Muller

Over a decade ago, after a successful career as an academic and professional journalist, Mexican-born Laura Muller felt drawn to television anchoring. Despite her talents, she didn’t fit the industry’s narrow appearance standards at the time.

Her journey to develop new eating habits transformed her into a successful culinary influencer with millions of followers. Now a proud working mother of two, she shares her secrets for keeping a family nourished and energized with fresh, traditional Mexican-inspired meals.

For her collaboration with the JENNIE-O® Brand, Laura reimagined one of her abuelita Conchis’ classics: meatloaf. While her grandmother used beef, Laura creates a fresh version using JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey and fiber-rich oats instead of breadcrumbs. It’s her signature approach — honoring traditional flavors while making thoughtful updates.

Laura notes this dish has become a staple in her busy home thanks to its simplicity: mix, bake, and while it cooks, tackle other tasks or prepare a quick salad. It’s comfort food at its finest!

Check out her original recipe for turkey meatloaf with chipotle glaze here! (in Spanish)

5. Cuban Picadillo (Picadillo Cubano), by Xenia Zee

Xenia Zee’s love for food and cooking began in childhood, as she stood beside her abuelita in the kitchen. But cooking became her life’s work after a pivotal moment changed everything.

When her grandmother fell ill, Xenia feared losing not only a loved one but also the rich culinary legacy of her Cuban and Dominican roots. This inspired her to create Chef Zee Cooks, a digital platform where she shares cherished family recipes through beautifully crafted videos.

For her JENNIE-O® Brand collaboration, Chef Zee presents Cuban picadillo, a childhood favorite she describes as “almost perfect” — comforting, practical, affordable, and always crowd-pleasing. Her version features JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey, maintaining the beloved traditional flavors while adding a fresh twist.

Check her original recipe for Cuban Picadillo here! (in Spanish)

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Whether you try the yuca empanadas, albóndigas soup, or picadillo, let these recipes inspire you to revisit your familia’s traditions and create meaningful moments together. After all, good cooking combines a little tradition and creativity with a lot of heart.

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Note: For optimal food safety, ensure that the JENNIE-O® Lean Ground Turkey used in this recipe reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) when fully cooked. We recommend using a food thermometer to accurately measure the temperature.