I absolutely love this Turkey Pot Pie Recipe because it’s the ultimate comfort food that brings everyone to the table with a smile. It’s warm, flaky, and packed with savory turkey and veggies, making it perfect for cozy family dinners or turning leftovers into pure magic. When I first tried making turkey pot pie from scratch, I was surprised at how straightforward it was and how much my family went crazy for it!
You’ll find that this Turkey Pot Pie Recipe strikes a perfect balance between creamy, hearty filling and a buttery, golden crust. Whether you’re using day-old turkey or fresh leftovers, this dish transforms simple ingredients into a meal that feels special but doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. Trust me, once you’ve tried this, you’ll want to make it again and again.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Perfect for Leftovers: Makes smart use of leftover turkey or chicken to avoid waste.
- Simple Yet Flavorful: Easy-to-find ingredients come together for big flavor.
- Kid-Approved Comfort Food: My family requests this again and again, especially on chilly nights.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Prep or freeze ahead to save time for busy days.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing fresh veggies and quality turkey makes all the difference in this Turkey Pot Pie Recipe. A few pantry staples like thyme and sage add cozy, herby notes, while the bacon gives an extra layer of savory goodness.
- Bacon: Adds smoky depth; cooking it first also creates flavorful grease for the veggies.
- Olive Oil: Helps sauté the veggies gently without burning.
- Yellow Onion: Provides sweetness and texture—don’t skip or substitute with plain white onion if possible.
- Celery: Adds crunch and freshness.
- Carrot: Sweetness and color brighten the filling.
- Dried Thyme: Classic herb for poultry dishes; fresh is great if you have it.
- Ground Sage: Brings that traditional Thanksgiving vibe to the pot pie.
- Kosher Salt and Ground Pepper: Essential for seasoning the filling just right.
- All-Purpose Flour: Thickens the filling to that perfect creamy consistency.
- Chicken or Turkey Stock: Boosts savory flavors; homemade or store-bought both work well.
- Nonfat Milk: Creamy base without adding heaviness; you can swap for whole milk if preferred.
- Frozen Corn and Peas: Adds sweet bursts and color; thaw before using.
- Cooked Green Beans: Chopped for texture and nutrition; fresh or frozen works.
- Shredded Cooked Turkey: The star protein—great chance to use leftovers.
- Pie Crusts: Use your favorite homemade or store-bought pie crusts; they hold that filling beautifully.
Variations
I like to keep my Turkey Pot Pie Recipe flexible so you can make it your own, whether that means swapping veggies based on what’s fresh or tweaking the herbs for a different flavor profile.
- Vegetable Swap: I’ve used mushrooms or chopped potatoes instead of green beans and loved the earthiness it adds.
- Herb Alternatives: Fresh rosemary or parsley can brighten the flavor if you’re not into sage.
- Crust Choices: Sometimes I use puff pastry on top for an extra flaky and buttery finish.
- Dairy-Free Version: Use coconut milk or a dairy-free milk alternative and a gluten-free flour blend for thickening.
How to Make Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
Step 1: Cook the Bacon and Sauté the Veggies
Start by heating your saucepan over medium heat and cook the diced bacon until it’s golden and crispy. I always remove the bacon and leave the glorious fat in the pan—that’s where the magic begins! Next, add the olive oil and toss in your onion, celery, and carrot. Stir occasionally and let them soften for about 3 to 5 minutes—you want tender veggies, not mush.
Step 2: Build the Flavor with Herbs and Flour
Sprinkle the thyme, sage, salt, and pepper over the veggies, then stir to combine. Next, sprinkle the flour and coat everything evenly; this helps thicken the filling later. Cook this mixture for about a minute to let the flour lose its raw edge. This step is key—don’t rush it or your sauce might taste floury!
Step 3: Add Stock, Milk, and Mix in Remaining Ingredients
Pour in the chicken or turkey stock and the nonfat milk while stirring constantly. The mixture will start to thicken in just a few minutes—perfect texture is creamy but not gloopy. Remove the pan from the heat and fold in the thawed corn, peas, green beans, crispy bacon, and shredded turkey. This is where your flavorful filling comes together!
Step 4: Assemble and Bake Your Turkey Pot Pie
Place one pie crust inside your 9-inch pie plate, pressing gently up the sides to make a cozy home for the filling. Spoon the hot filling into the crust, spreading it evenly. Cover it with the second crust, pinch the edges to seal, and don’t forget to cut some slits on top to let steam escape while it bakes. Transfer your pie to a cookie sheet to catch any spills and bake at 375°F for 40 to 55 minutes until the crust is beautifully golden brown.
Pro Tips for Making Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
- Crisp Bacon Fat: Leaving bacon grease in the pan amps up veggie flavor—don’t skip this step!
- Don’t Rush Thickening: Stir the stock and milk constantly to avoid lumps and get a silky gravy.
- Use a Cookie Sheet: Prevent messy oven spills by baking the pie on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Check Crust Edges Early: If edges brown too fast, loosely cover with foil to avoid burning.
How to Serve Turkey Pot Pie Recipe
Garnishes
I love adding a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley or thyme just before serving—it lifts the flavors and adds a fresh pop of color. A light dusting of cracked black pepper on top also finishes it off nicely for a bit of kick.
Side Dishes
This recipe is hearty enough to stand alone, but my go-to sides are a crisp green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts with a squeeze of lemon. Sometimes I add a simple cranberry chutney too, especially around holidays—it complements the turkey beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve baked individual pot pies in ramekins—everyone loves having their own crispy crust and cozy filling. It also makes plating easier and looks impressively homemade without much extra effort.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I store any leftover turkey pot pie in an airtight container in the fridge and it keeps perfectly for up to 3 days. Reheating individual slices in the oven brings back that lovely flaky crust and creamy filling rather than sogginess.
Freezing
This Turkey Pot Pie Recipe freezes beautifully either before or after baking. I wrap the whole pie tightly in foil and plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn. When you’re ready, thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat thoroughly in the oven—just like freshly baked!
Reheating
To reheat leftovers, I pop a slice on a baking sheet and warm it at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes. This keeps the crust crunchy and filling warm without drying it out like a microwave sometimes does.
FAQs
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Can I use leftover chicken instead of turkey in this recipe?
Absolutely! This Turkey Pot Pie Recipe is flexible and works wonderfully with leftover chicken. The flavors meld nicely, and the cooking process is exactly the same.
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Do I have to use bacon, or can I leave it out?
You can skip the bacon if you prefer; just use olive oil to sauté your veggies instead. The filling will still be flavorful, though bacon adds a nice smoky touch that I personally love.
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Can I make the pot pie crust from scratch?
Definitely! Homemade pie crust is delicious and totally worth the extra effort if you have the time. Store-bought crusts are great for convenience and also yield excellent results.
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How do I prevent the crust edges from burning?
If the crust edges brown too quickly, cover them loosely with aluminum foil halfway through baking. This shields the edges while allowing the center to bake fully.
Final Thoughts
This Turkey Pot Pie Recipe has become my go-to way of transforming simple leftovers into a comforting, crowd-pleasing meal. It’s got that homemade touch without hassle, and every time it comes out golden and delicious, I feel a little like a kitchen hero. I really hope you try this recipe soon and experience the joyful smiles it brings—there’s nothing quite like sharing a slice of warm pot pie with friends and family on a cozy night.
PrintTurkey Pot Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 85 min
- Total Time: 105 min
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This classic Turkey Pot Pie recipe is a comforting and hearty dish that is perfect for using leftover turkey. It features a flaky pie crust filled with a savory mixture of turkey, bacon, vegetables, and a creamy sauce seasoned with thyme and sage. Baked to golden perfection, this pot pie is a satisfying meal ideal for family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
Meat & Bacon
- 2 strips bacon (approx 57g), diced
- 2 cups shredded cooked turkey (264g)
Vegetables
- ½ cup diced yellow onion (66g) (about ½ medium onion)
- 1 stalk celery (approx ½ cup or 65g), diced
- 1 small carrot (approx ½ cup or 76g), diced
- ½ cup frozen corn (62g), thawed
- 1 cup frozen peas (110g), thawed
- 1 cup chopped cooked green beans (100g)
Seasonings & Liquids
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon ground sage
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt (plus more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon ground pepper (plus more to taste)
- ⅓ cup (41g) all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup (79ml) chicken or turkey stock
- 1 cup (237ml) nonfat milk (whole milk may be substituted)
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
Other
- 2 recipes pie crusts (Use a box of refrigerated crusts if you wish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the pot pie.
- Cook Bacon: Heat a saucepan over medium heat and cook the diced bacon until browned and crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and set them aside on a plate, leaving the bacon grease in the pan.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add olive oil to the pan with the bacon grease, then stir in diced onion, celery, and carrot. Cook while stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add Seasonings and Flour: Sprinkle in dried thyme, ground sage, kosher salt, ground pepper, and the all-purpose flour. Stir everything to evenly coat the vegetables with the flour and spices. Cook for about 1 minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
- Make Sauce: Gradually add the chicken or turkey stock and the milk to the pan, stirring constantly. Continue to cook and stir until the mixture thickens to a creamy consistency, which should take just a few minutes.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from heat. Stir in the cooked bacon, thawed corn, peas, chopped cooked green beans, and shredded cooked turkey until well combined.
- Prepare Pie Crust: Place one pie crust into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Spoon the hot filling evenly into the crust.
- Top Pie and Vent: Cover with the second pie crust, press the edges together, and crimp to seal. Cut slits into the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Bake: Place the pie on a cookie sheet (to catch any potential spills) and bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 55 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly.
- Serve and Store: Let the pie cool slightly before serving warm. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days or freeze for up to one month. The entire pie can also be assembled and frozen before or after baking for convenience.
Notes
- Turkey Pot Pie is a delicious way to use leftover turkey or even chicken.
- The recipe can be made ahead and frozen for quick meals later.
- Use refrigerated pie crusts from a box if you prefer a quicker preparation.
- Ensure vegetables are cooked until tender for best texture inside the pie.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 572 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 569 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg