This is an easy turkey pot pie with gravy, potatoes, carrots, and peas topped off with a buttery crust. It's the best way to use Thanksgiving leftovers and happens to be my dad's all-time favorite turkey pot pie. See why!
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Dad's Favorite Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
Inevitably, you ate way too many sides and have a ton of turkey leftover, right? This pot pie is PERFECT for leftover Thanksgiving turkey!
My speedy Turkey Tetrazzini is another classic comforting dish that uses leftover turkey. It's a creamy, cheesy noodle casserole that you'll love to throw together even if it's not Thanksgiving! (I just get roasted turkey at the deli counter!)
One of my favorite non-traditional ways to use up turkey is Thanksgiving Leftovers Turkey Poutine with Sweet Potato Fries. It's the most glorious poutine you've ever had!
One of the best things about having turkey in the fridge is dad's leftover turkey pot pie. We call it that at our house because it's one of his favorite dinners!
This isn't your average pot pie. I didn't want a thick, creamy sauce.
Instead, I made a flavorful gravy just like that delicious stuff you ladle onto your mashed potatoes at Thanksgiving.
Ingredients in Turkey Pot Pie
Potatoes, carrots, and peas are the base of the turkey pot pie filling. To add flavor, I love adding herbs like sage or thyme. I love sage, but thyme is very traditional in pot pies. You can use your favorite!
I also add a little bit of Worcestershire sauce and extra bouillon because it adds a little bit of umami flavor that you might have gotten from turkey drippings. You want a super flavorful gravy because the potatoes and the turkey are simple in flavor.
Some all-purpose flour helps thicken up the filling, and of course, I can't forget the leftover Thanksgiving turkey and turkey broth!
The turkey filling is then topped with my go-to buttery pie crust.
Do I need leftover gravy or turkey broth?
I made my own turkey broth for this dish, but you can easily use chicken broth from a box or a can. Or, if you have about 2 cups leftover gravy from dinner, whisk it until it's smooth and use that instead.
I like to add the herbs and pepper in the recipe below even if I'm using flavorful leftover gravy.
How to Make Turkey Pot Pie
To speed up the cooking process and to ensure that everything is cooked just right, I precook the veggies in my Instant Pot.
While the veggies cook, I whisk together the homemade gravy. This can be done in a large saucepan with a whisk.
Then I pour everything into a deep-dish 9-inch pie dish. You can use any oven-safe baking dish that will hold 5 ½ cups filling with a little room for bubbling.
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To top everything off, I roll out the pie crust and gently crimp it over the pie plate. My perfect pie crust recipe is not hard at all!!
It will only take you a few minutes to whip up the most delicious homemade, buttery crust. And you'll feel so accomplished for making it from scratch.
Don't you dare skip out on me and buy a store-bought pie crust! They just never bake perfectly and taste like chemicals!
I like to trim the crust with about an inch overhang on the dish or pie plate. Then fold that excess under so you have a nice edge to crimp. Use your fingers to make a classic pie crimp along the edges.
Making homemade turkey pot pie from scratch isn't that terrifying, is it? I believe in you. And once you master my pie crust you can make any of my other pie recipes.
Tip: I have a blog post where I go through all the tips on crust! If it's your first time making a pie crust from scratch, definitely check out my Perfect Butter and Shortening Pie Crust Recipe. I go through all the common mishaps for first-time pie makers so you can feel confident and prepared to make a tender and flaky pie crust.
Recipe Variations to Try
Potatoes, carrots, and peas are one of those combinations that taste SO classic in a pot pie.
As a kid, I didn't mind eating peas and carrots if they were baked into a delicious, savory pie! Maybe you can use this trick to get your kids to eat vegetables too?
Here are some ingredient swaps you can try when making this recipe:
- Swap the peas and carrots for 1 ¾ cups frozen mixed vegetables.
- Use lima beans or cut up green beans in place of the peas if you're not a fan. I get it, I know a lot of picky eaters!
- Try parsnips instead of carrots if you have them leftover.
- Use some sweet potatoes with the regular potatoes for a touch of sweetness.
Can I use gluten-free pie crust?
You could also make this pot pie gluten-free for your gluten-sensitive friends and family members. All you have to do is make or buy a high-quality gluten-free crust, and use GF All-Purpose flour in the filling (I like Cup 4 Cup gluten-free flour)
I have had mixed success with gluten-free pie crust when I've made it from scratch, but there are quite a few options for mixes or pre-made at health food stores.
Can I Make This Recipe Without a Pie Plate?
Sure thing! If you're baking this pie in a square baking dish, simply roll the crust more square than circular.
I like this 9-by-9-inch square dish or a deep dish pie dish for a pot pie. It should have a capacity of 2 ½ to 3 quarts.
Can I Freeze Turkey Pot Pie?
Yes! This easy turkey pot pie can be frozen prior to being baked. I've given instructions in the recipe card below on how to freeze and bake a turkey pot pie.
Can I Make a Beef or Chicken Pot Pie?
Yes, one reason I think this is the best turkey pot pie recipe is that it can easily be adapted to accommodate a different protein.
In the recipe card below, I've given suggestions on how you can adapt the recipe to transform it into either a beef or chicken pot pie.
How Many Calories Are in Turkey Pot Pie?
This savory pie will serve 6 to 8 people. For six servings, each serving will be approximately 360 calories.
What to Serve With Turkey Pot Pie
Serve the leftover turkey pot pie with a side salad or fresh fruit if desired.
It's really a full meal in and of itself! No side dishes are necessary. My family loves a little drizzle of ketchup on top too!
However, if you'd like to serve this easy pot pie with a few sides, here are my suggestions:
- Homemade Dinner Rolls
- Roasted Parsnips
- Shaved Brussels Sprouts Salad
- Winter Greens Salad
- Skillet Green Beans
Tips for Making Turkey Pot Pie
You can make this pot pie anytime of year! It's true! No need for Thanksgiving leftovers.
If you're making this easy turkey pot pie throughout the year, here's what you'll need to do:
- Ask your deli counter attendant to cut you a chunk or large piece of roasted turkey. You'll shred or dice it at home!
- You'll want to purchase 8 to 9 ounces of roasted turkey to get the 1 ¾ cups you need for this recipe.
- Make sure to get fresh roasted turkey, and not the sandwich meat variety. Those are packed with water and seasonings and won't be the same.
Try These Dessert Pie Recipes Too!
- Salted Caramel Apple Pie
- Coconut Mango Pie
- Ginger Razzleberry Pie
- No Bake Lemon Ice Box Pie
- Black Bottom Chocolate Cream Pie
Turkey Pot Pie with Gravy
Ingredients
- 1½ cups peeled, diced potatoes (diced ¼ to ½ inch)
- 1¼ cups cups diced onion (1 medium onion)
- 1 cup diced carrot
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt DIVIDED
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1¾ cups turkey or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ teaspoon Better than Bouillon Chicken or Turkey flavor
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme or sage
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1¾ cups diced or shredded cooked turkey
- ¾ cup frozen peas
- 1 single pie crust
Instructions
- Make sure to have your pie crust made, and chilling.
- Combine the potatoes, onion, carrot, and ½ teaspoon salt in an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Add 3 tablespoons water. Cook on high pressure for 2 minutes and manually release the pressure when time is up. Alternatively steam or microwave the vegetables, covered, until just tender but not overly soft. They will continue to cook in the pie.
- Heat oven to 400ºF. In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Add the flour and cornstarch and whisk until combined and smooth. Whisk in the chicken broth, whisking vigorously until smooth and incorporated. Add the Worcestershire, thyme, parsley, black pepper and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture is boiling. Boil, stirring, for 1 minute and remove from heat.
- In a large mixing bowl (or the insert of the Instant Pot) combine the cooked vegetables, gravy, turkey, and peas. Taste mixture and season with salt to taste.
- Transfer filling to a 9-inch deep dish pie plate. You can also use a 9-by-9-inch baking dish or pan (it should be a 2½-to-3-quart capacity).
- Roll out pastry crust, to a 12-inch circle, on a lightly floured surface and top the pie. Trim the edges to about an inch overhang and fold under. Crimp crust edges as desired.
- Whisk together the egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush some egg wash over the crust. Make 4 or 5 vent holes in the top crust with a knife.
- Bake, on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch the drips, until crust is golden and center is bubbling and hot, 35 to 40 minutes. Cover crust with foil or a pie shield if the crust gets dark brown. Let cool 10 to 15 minutes before serving.
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About Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.
Mia says
Oh my goodness! This Turkey Pot Pie is DELICIOUS! If you haven't made it, you must try it. It is worth cooking a turkey just so you can make this pie! I used a lot of the leftovers and made several pies for the freezer. It is such a treat to pull one out and pop it in the oven!
Mary says
What a wonderful way to use some of the leftover turkey, and/or beef! It is absolutely wonderful and so easy to make! Thank you for the step-by-step instructions! Love this!
Tara Teaspoon says
So happy you love it!
Julie says
These are sooo much better than Swanson's! We'd always eat Pot Pies when my Mom & Dad went out on the weekend. These are grown up and so delicious. Thank Tara!