If your idea of Thanksgiving is turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce straight out of the can, a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving might look a little different. And we think you’ll like it.

In Puerto Rico, Thanksgiving, or Día de Acción de Gracias, is another reason to get everyone together, fill the kitchen with good smells, and make more food than anyone could possibly finish. There’s pork in the oven, arroz con gandules in the caldero, and somehow, there’s always room for one more person at the table.

That’s how we celebrate. And this year, we’re bringing a little bit of that tradition to your Thanksgiving table.

What Does Thanksgiving Look Like in Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico celebrates Thanksgiving on the same Thursday as the rest of the United States. Many families serve turkey, but it rarely gets the spotlight all to itself.

Because right next to that turkey, you’ll likely find pernil. And if you ask us, that’s where things get really good.

Puerto Rican Thanksgiving brings together the familiar traditions of the holiday with the flavors we grew up with. It’s about cooking for your familia, sharing what you have, and making sure nobody leaves hungry. (Spoiler: they won’t.)

Why Is Pernil on the Puerto Rican Thanksgiving Table?

Because pernil belongs at just about every celebration that matters.

Pernil is slow-roasted pork shoulder, marinated with garlic and traditional seasonings, then cooked low and slow until the meat is tender enough to pull apart with a fork. The skin gets beautifully crispy, the inside stays juicy, and the smell alone will have everyone asking when dinner is ready.

For many Puerto Rican families, Thanksgiving also marks the beginning of the holiday season. Parrandas start making their rounds, coquito comes out of the fridge, and the celebrations keep going well into January.

That Thanksgiving pernil? It’s often the first of many.

Want to know what makes it so special? We have a whole post dedicated to it: What Is Pernil? The Slow-Roasted Pork Puerto Ricans Make for Every Occasion That Matters.

What Else Belongs on a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving Table?

Let’s talk about the sides. Because nobody is coming to Thanksgiving just for the pork.

Arroz con gandules is a must. Rice and pigeon peas cooked with sofrito and seasonings until every grain is packed with flavor. It’s one of those dishes that tastes like home, no matter how far away home might be. If you’re new to it, start with What Is Arroz con Gandules?, then learn about the sofrito that gives so many Puerto Rican dishes their flavor.

Ensalada de coditos is Puerto Rican macaroni salad. Cold, creamy, and always welcome next to a plate of pernil and arroz con gandules. It’s also one of those dishes that somehow disappears before anyone notices.

And then there’s dessert. This is where you might have to pick a side.

Flan de queso is a rich, creamy cream cheese flan topped with caramel. It’s a little denser than traditional flan and every bit as good as it sounds.

Tembleque is a traditional Puerto Rican coconut pudding. Its name comes from temblar, meaning to tremble, because of the way it jiggles when you put it on a plate. A little cinnamon on top, and you’re good to go.

Whichever one makes it to your table, there’s no wrong answer. Unless you forget dessert. That’s another conversation.

What Is the Coqui Family Feast?

It’s our way of bringing a Puerto Rican Thanksgiving home to your familia, without spending the entire day in the kitchen.

The Coqui Family Feast includes the dishes that belong on our Thanksgiving table:

• Pernil, slow-roasted and full of flavor.
• Arroz con gandules, made with our traditional sofrito.
• Ensalada de coditos, creamy Puerto Rican macaroni salad.
• Your choice of flan de queso or tembleque for dessert.

It feeds 10 to 12 people for $179 plus tax. That’s just under $15 per person before tax.

And you know how we do it: generous portions. We like to say it’s enough for 10 very hungry people or 12 light eaters, with some leftovers to enjoy afterward.

We’ve been making our Coqui Family Feast since opening our restaurant in 2022, and quantities are limited.

Everything comes chilled and ready for you to reheat at home, so you can serve it hot when it’s time to eat.

How Do I Order the Coqui Family Feast in Phoenix?

Here’s everything you need to know:

• Order deadline: Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
• Pickup date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026.
• Pickup time: 11 AM to 6 PM.
• Pickup location: Phoenix Coqui, 4041 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015.
• Price: $179 plus tax.

Orders must be placed and paid for by November 18.

Place your Family Feast order here.

You can also visit our catering page for more information.

We’ll take care of the cooking. You take care of getting your people together.

Can I Try Puerto Rican Food Before Thanksgiving?

Claro que sí!

Pernil is on our menu year-round, along with plenty of other Puerto Rican favorites. If you’re new to our kitchen, here’s a good place to start.

Try our mofongo, made with mashed plantains and packed with flavor. Add some tostones or a couple of empanadillas. Or go all in with a jibarito, where crispy fried plantains take the place of bread in this Puerto Rican sandwich.

You can check out our full menu before stopping by.

Whether you’re Puerto Rican and missing a taste of home, or just curious about the food and traditions, we’d love to have you.

This Thanksgiving, déjanos la cena a nosotros. You just bring tu gente.

Wepa!

Visit Phoenix Coqui

Phoenix Coqui is a Puerto Rican restaurant located at 4041 N 15th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85015, in the Melrose-adjacent neighborhood of Phoenix. We’re open Monday through Saturday. Come hungry, leave happy, and make yourself at home.