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Turkey Pot Pie

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If you’ve got leftover turkey and a craving for comfort, this Turkey Pot Pie is your cozy answer. Tender turkey, sweet peas, carrots, and corn are wrapped in a rich, creamy gravy and tucked under a flaky, golden pastry lid that shatters when you crack into it with your spoon.

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It’s the kind of meal that makes the whole kitchen smell like home. Whether you’re winding down after the holidays or just want a hearty dinner that feels like a warm hug, this pot pie delivers big flavor with simple, familiar ingredients.


Why You’ll Love This Turkey Pot Pie

This Turkey Pot Pie is all about using what you already have and turning it into something showstopping. Leftover turkey gets a brand‑new life, surrounded by vegetables and a silky gravy that’s thick enough to coat your spoon but not so heavy that it weighs you down.

It’s flexible and forgiving—swap in the veggies you love, use light cream or milk depending on what’s in your fridge, and choose your favorite crust style. It bakes up beautifully for Sunday dinner but is easy enough for a weeknight, especially when you start with cooked turkey.

If you love classic comfort food, this recipe lands right in that sweet spot between nostalgic and practical: simple prep, familiar flavors, and a deeply satisfying result.


What Kind of Pastry Should I Use for Turkey Pot Pie?

You have a few delicious options when it comes to the top of your Turkey Pot Pie, and the good news is that all of them work. A sheet of store‑bought puff pastry gives you that dramatic, flaky, puffed lid with layers that catch the light and stay crisp over the creamy filling.

If you prefer something more traditional, you can use a classic pie crust instead—homemade or store‑bought. A butter pie crust adds a tender, slightly crumbly texture that soaks up just enough gravy without turning soggy when baked properly.

You can even double up on crust by adding a bottom crust for an ultra‑comforting, bakery‑style pie. Just blind bake the bottom crust for a few minutes so it stays sturdy, then add the filling and finish with your top crust of choice.


Ingredients for the Turkey Pot Pie

To build a rich, cozy pot pie, you’ll rely on simple, familiar ingredients that layer flavor and texture. Exact quantities will go into the recipe card, but this list will give you a clear picture of what you’ll need before you start.

  • Cooked turkey
  • Butter
  • Onion
  • Carrots
  • Celery
  • Garlic
  • Frozen peas
  • Frozen corn
  • All‑purpose flour
  • Chicken or turkey broth
  • Milk or half‑and‑half
  • Fresh thyme
  • Fresh parsley
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • Puff pastry sheet or pie crust
  • Egg (for egg wash)

Each ingredient has a job: butter and flour create the roux that thickens the gravy, broth and milk make it silky, herbs brighten the richness, and the turkey and vegetables bring heartiness and color to every bite.


How To Make the Turkey Pot Pie

This pot pie comes together in a few simple stages: make the creamy filling on the stovetop, top it with pastry, and bake until bubbly and golden. Take your time with the stovetop step—that’s where most of the flavor builds.

Step 1: Prep the Dish and Ingredients

Butter or grease a deep 9‑inch pie dish or similar baking dish so the filling doesn’t stick. Dice the cooked turkey, chop the onion, carrots, and celery, and measure out your peas, corn, broth, milk, and seasonings so everything is ready to go.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery and cook until they’re softened and just starting to turn golden at the edges. This step adds sweetness and depth to the filling.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Stir in the garlic and cook briefly until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for a minute or two. The flour will look a bit pasty at first—that’s your roux, which will thicken the sauce.

Step 4: Make the Creamy Gravy

Gradually whisk in the broth, a little at a time, to avoid lumps. Once it’s smooth, pour in the milk or half‑and‑half. Continue cooking, stirring often, until the mixture is thick, creamy, and gently bubbling. Season with thyme, parsley, salt, and black pepper.

Step 5: Add the Turkey and Vegetables

Fold the cooked turkey, peas, and corn into the gravy. The filling should be generously packed with turkey and veggies, with just enough sauce to coat everything. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.

Step 6: Assemble the Pot Pie

Pour the filling into your prepared pie dish and smooth the top. Lay the puff pastry sheet or pie crust over the filling, trimming and crimping the edges as desired. Cut a few small slits in the top to let steam escape while baking.

Step 7: Brush and Bake

Brush the pastry with beaten egg so it bakes up shiny and deeply golden. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any bubbling overflow, then bake until the crust is puffed and browned and the filling is visibly bubbling around the edges.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Let the Turkey Pot Pie rest for about 10 minutes before serving. This short rest helps the filling thicken slightly so each slice holds together while still staying wonderfully creamy.


Serving This Turkey Pot Pie

Turkey Pot Pie is a hearty main dish that comfortably feeds about 6 people, depending on appetites and what you serve on the side. Slice it into generous wedges and serve it hot, with the creamy filling spilling gently onto the plate.

Pair it with a simple green salad, roasted vegetables, or even cranberry sauce if you’re leaning into holiday leftovers. Warm dinner rolls or crusty bread are perfect for swiping up every last bit of gravy.

This pie also makes cozy next‑day lunches—reheat a slice and enjoy it with a mug of soup or a quick side salad.


How to Store and Reheat Turkey Pot Pie

Let the pot pie cool to room temperature before storing so condensation doesn’t make the crust soggy. Cover the dish tightly with foil or transfer leftover slices to airtight containers.

In the refrigerator, Turkey Pot Pie will keep well for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap portions well and freeze for up to 2 months. Frozen slices reheat beautifully and are perfect for easy, comfort‑food dinners on busy nights.

To reheat, warm individual portions in a 350°F (175°C) oven or toaster oven until the filling is hot and the crust has crisped back up, about 15–20 minutes. Avoid microwaving if you can—the filling will heat faster, but the crust won’t stay as crisp.

If reheating from frozen, cover the pot pie loosely with foil and bake until hot all the way through, then remove the foil for the last few minutes to refresh the crust.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make Turkey Pot Pie ahead of time?
Yes. You can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, transfer the cold filling to the pie dish, add the pastry on top, and bake. You may need to add a few extra minutes of baking time since the filling starts out cold.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
Absolutely. This recipe works just as well with cooked chicken—rotisserie chicken is especially convenient. The flavors and texture will be very similar, so it’s a great option year‑round, even when you don’t have leftover turkey.

Do I have to use puff pastry?
No. Puff pastry gives that gorgeous, flaky top, but a standard pie crust works beautifully too. You can also use biscuits on top in a pinch—just nestle them over the hot filling and bake until the biscuits are cooked through and golden.

How do I keep the bottom crust from getting soggy if I use one?
If you decide to add a bottom crust, blind bake it for a short time first. Line the crust with parchment, fill it with pie weights or dried beans, and bake until it just starts to set. Remove the weights, add the filling, and then top and bake as directed.

Can I make this pot pie gluten‑free?
Yes. Swap the all‑purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten‑free flour blend when making the roux, and use a gluten‑free pastry or biscuit topping. Just make sure your broth is certified gluten‑free as well.


Want More Comfort Food Dinner Ideas?

If this Turkey Pot Pie hits the spot, you’ll probably fall for these other cozy favorites too:

  • Try the creamy, skillet twist of Chicken Pot Pie Noodle Skillet when you want pot‑pie flavor with fewer dishes.
  • For a cheesy pasta bake, make Baked Ziti with Meat Sauce for another family‑style comfort classic.
  • Keep things simple with one‑pan Ground Beef Pasta that’s rich, saucy, and weeknight‑friendly.
  • When you’re craving something extra hearty, ladle up a bowl of Beef Stew with crusty bread on the side.
  • Or bake a bubbling dish of Tater Tot Casserole for ultra‑comforting, kid‑approved goodness.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this Turkey Pot Pie to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time you’re staring at a container of leftover turkey and wondering what to do with it.

If you make it, let me know how it turned out—did you use puff pastry or classic pie crust? Did you sneak in extra veggies or add cheese under the crust?

I love hearing how you make these recipes your own. Questions are always welcome too—share them in the comments so we can help each other cook smarter and cozier. And if you want even more daily recipe inspiration, follow along on my Pinterest Mad For Meals board here: https://www.pinterest.com/thugonly/.


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Turkey Pot Pie


  • Author: Mia McKenny
  • Total Time: 55
  • Yield: 6 servings

Description

Turkey Pot Pie is a cozy, golden-topped classic that turns leftover holiday turkey into a creamy, veggie-packed comfort meal, perfect for next-day quick breakfast slices, easy dinner nights, leftover breakfast ideas, and anyone hunting for comforting food ideas and dinner ideas that still feel like an easy recipe and even a surprisingly satisfying healthy snack.


Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced

2 medium carrots, diced

2 celery stalks, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

2 1/2 cups chicken or turkey broth

1 cup whole milk or half-and-half

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, plus more for garnish

1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, or to taste

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced

1 cup frozen peas

1 cup frozen corn kernels

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed

1 large egg, beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash


Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and butter a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate.

2. Step 2: Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion, carrots, and celery until softened, about 6 to 8 minutes.

3. Step 3: Stir in the garlic and cook just until fragrant, about 30 seconds.

4. Step 4: Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables, stirring constantly for 1 to 2 minutes to cook off the raw flour taste.

5. Step 5: Slowly whisk in the broth and then the milk, stirring until the mixture is thick, smooth, and bubbling.

6. Step 6: Season the sauce with thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper, then fold in the turkey, peas, and corn.

7. Step 7: Transfer the filling to the prepared pie dish and smooth the top.

8. Step 8: Lay the puff pastry over the filling, trim and crimp the edges, and cut a few slits in the top to vent steam.

9. Step 9: Brush the pastry with the beaten egg wash.

10. Step 10: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the crust is deeply golden and the filling is bubbling around the edges.

11. Step 11: Let the turkey pot pie rest for 10 minutes before serving so the filling can thicken slightly.

Notes

For a richer filling, use half-and-half instead of milk.

You can substitute cooked chicken for the turkey if that’s what you have on hand.

Place the pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet to catch any bubbly overflow and keep your oven clean.

  • Prep Time: 20
  • Cook Time: 35
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/6 pie
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 6
  • Sodium: 900
  • Fat: 34
  • Saturated Fat: 18
  • Unsaturated Fat: 13
  • Trans Fat: 0
  • Carbohydrates: 40
  • Fiber: 3
  • Protein: 22
  • Cholesterol: 120

Keywords: turkey pot pie, leftover turkey, easy dinner, dinner ideas, comfort food, easy recipe

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