Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe (2024)

By Laura

Posted Nov 12, 2021, Updated Feb 21, 2024

5 from 14 votes

15 Comments

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This Turkey Pot Pie recipe is a great way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey! In this recipe, a delicious filling made with a from-scratch sauce sits between two layers of flaky, buttery homemade pie crust for a meal your entire family will love.

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When I cook for Thanksgiving, I always make enough to ensure we have plenty of leftover roast turkey. After eating it plain for a couple days, I always try to find other ways to use it, and one of our favorites is this Turkey Pot Pie recipe (along with this turkey cranberry sandwich and turkey tetrazzini).

You can even use a store-bought pie crust (especially if you have one leftover that you didn’t get to use to make Thanksgiving pies) for an easy and delicious recipe that will prolong your turkey enjoyment.

You can also make a crust from scratch (which is my preference) so the the delicious filling made with a from-scratch sauce will be nestled between two layers of flaky, buttery homemade pie crust for a meal your entire family will love.

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Turkey Pot Pie Recipe: Ingredients & Substitutions

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  • Crust.See notes on this All Butter Pie Crust Recipe for substitutions on the crust ingredients and for detailed instructions on how to make it. You can also use a store-bought crust to save time.
  • Roasted turkey.I use this roast turkey recipe every year on Thanksgiving. We always make a large bird so that we can have leftovers to use in recipes like this turkey pot pie, or to use to make turkey sandwiches.
  • Red potatoes.Yukon Gold potatoes can be used in place of red potatoes.
  • Carrots, Celery, Peas, Corn.You can add or subtract just about any of the veggies in this recipe and use your favorites with great results.
  • Chicken Base. I suggest better than bouillon for the best flavor. Or, you can substitute 2 cups of chicken broth for the base + water in this recipe.
  • Whole milk.2% or 1% milk work well, I do not recommend using fat-free milk.
  • All-purpose flour.You can sub gluten-free all-purpose flour if desired. Also bread flour works well in a pinch.
  • Egg Wash.Optional but recommended. You can use just an egg yolk or just cream if desired, but I find a combination works the best.
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How to Make Turkey Pot Pie

There are a few steps in this turkey pot pie recipe, but it really is easy to make. As always, we’ll walk through the process step-by-step and don’t forget to watch the video.

Make the Crust

Making the best homemade crust takes less than 5 minutes, so I suggest trying it if you can. You can follow this all-butter pie crust tutorial and video for more detailed information on how to make it!

It’s important to make the crust first because it has to chill for at least 1 hour before being rolled and used in this turkey pot pie recipe.

You can also use a store-bought crust and skip this step.

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Make the Sauce

The next step in this recipe is to make the sauce, and then set it aside while you cook potatoes and veggies for the filling. I love this from-scratch sauce so much! To do this, whisk together flour, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt pepper and milk together in a small bowl.

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In a 4-quart pan over medium heat, boil water, then add the chicken bouillon and whisk until dissolved. Add the milk mixture to boiling water/bouillon and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick (about 3 minutes). Remove from heat and set aside to use later.

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Make the Filling

To make the filling begin by cooking the potatoes. Add the potatoes, 2 tablespoons butter and garlic and water to a large, nonstick saucepan and cover. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally.

Once the potatoes are soft, add the carrots, onion, celery and additional 2 tablespoons butter. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until soft, stirring occasionally.

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Once the veggies are cooked, add the peas, corn and turkey.

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Then, stir in the sauce until everything is evenly distributed. Remove the pan from the heat and set it aside.

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Assemble the Turkey Pot Pie

Now it’s time to put all the delicious parts of this turkey pot pie together!

Roll Out & Fill Crust

Roll out both discs of dough. Fit one disc to the bottom of the pie plate. Roll out the second to be used as the top. Place bottom dough into the pie plate, then pour the filling into the bottom crust and spread it out evenly.

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Add the other crust on top, pinch the edges together and cut an “X” in the top. Brush with the egg wash (if desired).

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Bake

Use a pie crust shield to protect the outer crust and bake at 425 for 30 – 35 minutes on the lower rack of your oven, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Remove the pie crush shield in the last 5 minutes of baking if the outer crust is not browning.

Cool

Remove the leftover turkey pot pie from the oven and place it on a wire cooling rack. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving (the sauce thickens as it cools).

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Serve

I usually serve this turkey pot pie warm as a meal on it’s own. You can choose to serve it with your favorite side dishes or the rest of your thanksgiving leftovers. Here are some recommendations on what to serve with chicken pot pie:

  • Salad.We love serving turkey pot pie with a nice green salad, like this burrata salad, kale salad, brussel sprout salad, etc.
  • Dinner rolls.These homemade dinner rolls are the perfect compliment to this recipe, or leftover rolls if you have some from Thanksgiving.
  • Bread.This dutch oven bread, homemade french bread and Pretzel bread are great choices.
  • Vegetables.A side of roasted green beans, roasted broccoli, or balsamic roasted vegetables are great side dishes to serve with turkey pot pie.
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Store

Store any leftover turkey pot pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freeze

You can freeze leftovers in individual portions in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Or you can bake and freeze the entire pie after it has cooled completely, just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

To reheat, cover the frozen turkey pot pie with foil and warm it in the oven at 375 degrees F for 35-45 minutes until heated all the way through.

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Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe FAQs

How do you keep turkey pie from getting soggy on the bottom?

If you find you have a soggy bottom crust I have two suggestions for you:
Make sure the filling is cooled slightly before adding it to the bottom crust.
Bake the turkey pot pie on the lowest rack in your oven to ensure it bakes thoroughly.

How do I thicken turkey pot pie?

Thankfully the homemade sauce in this turkey pot pie recipes ensures that the final result will be a thick and not liquidy.

Can you freeze homemade turkey pot pie?

Yes. I recommend baking the entire pot pie and then putting it in the freezer. To reheat, simply cover the frozen turkey pot pie with foil and warm it in the oven at 375 degrees F for 35-45 minutes.

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Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe (19)

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Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe

Laura

This Turkey Pot Pie recipe is a great way to use leftover Thanksgiving turkey! In this recipe, a delicious filling made with a from-scratch sauce is nestled between two layers of flaky, buttery homemade pie crust for a meal your entire family will love.

5 from 14 votes

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 16 servings

Calories 338

Prep Time30 minutes minutes

Cook Time45 minutes minutes

Total Time1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Ingredients

Crust

Turkey pot pie filling

  • 4 cups oven roasted turkey (leftover, cubed)
  • 2 red potatoes diced (about 2 cups)
  • 4 Tablespoons salted butter divided
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 ½ Tablespoons minced garlic
  • 3 carrots diced
  • 2 ribs of celery diced 1 cup
  • ½ cup onion diced
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • ½ cup frozen peas
  • ½ cup frozen corn

Sauce

Egg Wash

Instructions

Make the Crust

  • Add flour, sea salt, sugar, butter and ice-cold water to the container of a food processor fitted with the “S” blade.

  • Process until coarse crumbs form.

  • Dump the dough mixture out onto a work surface and form it into a ball. Then divide it into two equal portions and form those portions into two discs.

  • Wrap each disc in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight.

  • After crust has chilled and you are ready to make the turkey pot pie:

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.

Make the sauce

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, onion powder, garlic powder, garlic salt and pepper.

  • Add milk and whisk until combined, set aside.

  • In a 4-quart pan over medium heat, boil water.

  • Add chicken bouillon and whisk until dissolved.

  • Add milk/dry ingredient mixture to boiling water/bouillon, whisk to combine.

  • Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick (about 3 minutes).

  • Remove from heat, cover and set aside.

Make the Filling

  • Add the potatoes, 2 tablespoons butter and garlic and water to a large, nonstick saucepan and cover. Cover and cook for 10 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft, stirring occasionally.

  • Once the potatoes are soft, add the carrots, onion, celery and additional 2 tablespoons butter. Cover and

  • Add peas, corn turkey and sauce. Stir until combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

Assemble

  • Roll out both discs of dough.

  • Fit one disc to the bottom of the pie plate. Roll out the second to be used as the top.

  • Place bottom dough into the pie plate.

  • Put filling on top of the crust.

  • Add the other crust on top, pinch the edges together and cut an “X” in the top.

  • Whisk together the egg yolk and heavy cream.

  • Brush it all over the crust with a pastry brush.

  • Use a pie crust shield to protect the outer crust.

  • Bake at 425 for 30 – 35 minutes on the lower rack of your oven, until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. Remove the pie crush shield in the last 5 minutes of baking if the outer crust is not browning.

  • Remove from the oven and place the turkey pot pie on a wire cooling rack. Cool for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Video

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Crust.See notes on this All Butter Pie Crust Recipe for substitutions on the crust ingredients and for detailed instructions on how to make it. You can also use a store-bought crust to save time.
  • Roasted turkey.I use this roast turkey recipe every year on Thanksgiving. You can use any leftover turkey.
  • Red potatoes.Yukon Gold potatoes can be used in place of red potatoes.
  • Carrots, Celery, Peas, Corn.You can add or subtract just about any of the veggies in this recipe and use your favorites with great results.
  • Chicken base.substitute 2 cups of chicken broth for the base + water in this recipe.
  • Whole milk. 2% or 1% milk are good substitutes.
  • All-purpose flour.You can sub gluten-free all-purpose flour if desired. Also bread flour works well in a pinch.
  • Egg Wash.Optional but recommended. You can use just an egg yolk or just cream if desired, but I find a combination works the best.

Store

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freeze

You can freeze leftovers in individual portions in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. Or you can bake and freeze the entire pie after it has cooled completely, just be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil.

To reheat, cover the frozen turkey pot pie with foil and warm it in the oven at 375 degrees F for 35-45 minutes until heated all the way through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 338kcal | Carbohydrates: 29g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 85mg | Sodium: 684mg | Potassium: 422mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 2477IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 62mg | Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Try these recipes

Roast Turkey Recipe

Turkey Cranberry Sandwich

Turkey Tetrazzini

Chicken and Rice Soup

Healthy Turkey Meatballs

Healthy Turkey Chili Recipe

Leftover Turkey Pot Pie Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you thicken a pot pie filling? ›

Stir 1 to 2 teaspoons of cornstarch into cold water and gradually whisk it into the filling. Be sure to stir the mixture well to avoid lumps. If you're planning to freeze the potpie, arrowroot is the best thickener.

How long to reheat turkey pot pie in oven? ›

What's the best way to reheat turkey pot pie? You can cover the whole dish with foil and reheat the pot pie in a 350ºF oven. Depending on how much is left, it could take 10 to 20 minutes. Just be sure not to place your dish into the oven directly from the fridge.

Should I cover my pot pie with foil? ›

Make a foil collar (or pie crust shield) to protect the edges of the pastry from overbrowning. Place strips of foil to cover crust during the last 15 or 20 minutes of baking. A standard 9-inch glass pie plate works best for this recipe.

Are frozen turkey pot pies healthy? ›

For a typical American adult, each pot pie provides about a third of the maximum amount of fat, a third to half of the cholesterol-raising saturated fat, and a quarter to a third of the sodium recommended for our daily intake. In general, these frozen pot pies are poor choices if you're trying to keep your weight down.

How to keep the bottom crust of chicken pot pie from getting soggy? ›

Sprinkle dried breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes, or other types of cereal, on the bottom crust before filling and baking in the oven. The layer will absorb moisture and prevent the filling from turning the crust soggy.

How can I thicken a pie filling without flour or cornstarch? ›

Quick-cooking tapioca makes filling bright and clear, but also gives it a stippled and somewhat sticky texture. Filling mixed with tapioca needs to rest 15 to 30 minutes before baking, for the tapioca to soften.

Can I reheat a pie made from leftover turkey? ›

Please note: Once cooked, turkey can only be reheated once – portion up any hot pies, stews and curries that use leftover turkey, so you only reheat what you need.

What is the best way to reheat leftover chicken pot pie? ›

Place the chicken pot pie in the hot oven for 20 minutes, then carefully remove the dish after the allotted time. Remove and discard the foil, then return the pie to the oven for a few additional minutes until it is completely warmed. Remove, allow it time to cool, and then serve.

How to store leftover chicken pot pie? ›

If you have leftover chicken pot pie, let it cool completely and then cover tightly with foil or place in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven for best results. You can use the microwave, but the crust might get a little soggy.

How to tell if pot pie is done? ›

*Check that pot pie/hand pie is cooked thoroughly. Internal temperature needs to reach 165 degrees F as measured by a food thermometer in several spots. Crust should be golden brown.

Do you eat a pot pie with a fork or spoon? ›

Allow it to sit and stew in its own heavenly self for a few minutes after removing it from the heat source. This is called “allowing the pie to rest.” Once the pie is sufficiently rested, transfer it to a fairly sturdy plate. You need a fork, a spoon, and possibly a knife.

How do you wrap the crust edge on a pot pie? ›

Carefully wrap the overhanging margin of foil around and under the edge of the crust. Keep the cover centered over the pie as you wrap.

Can diabetics eat pot pies? ›

Yes, diabetics can enjoy frozen pot pies, but it's crucial to be mindful of ingredients, portion sizes, and nutritional content. Watching carbohydrate intake and choosing options with lower sugar and healthy fats are essential steps in making these meals suitable for those managing their blood sugar levels.

Is it better to freeze pot pies cooked or uncooked? ›

We suggest freezing your chicken pot pie filling unbaked. You can pre-cook it and then freeze and then re-bake to reheat, but if you do that, you may want to under-bake your pie crust just a little before you freeze.

What if my pie filling is too runny? ›

The most common and accessible way to thicken pie filling is by using a starch. Starches' thickening power comes from their ability to absorb water, which causes the granules to swell, thickening the liquid.

What is a good thickener for pie filling? ›

Very often flour or cornstarch is used, but in certain instances tapioca, arrowroot and potato starch can also help achieve the desired consistency.

What to do if chicken pot pie is too runny? ›

Here are thickeners you can add to chicken pot pie filling:

Instant mashed potatoes. Gelatin or collagen. A flour, cornstarch, or rice starch slurry (requires cooking) A beaurre manie (requires cooking)

What is the best way to thicken meat pie filling? ›

Flour and butter (sauce thickening) – In today's recipe, we are thickening the stew using a simple French finishing technique called a Beurre Manié. This is raw flour and softened butter mixed together, and then stirred into a liquid (a sauce usually). It makes the sauce shiny and thick.

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