Save This comforting dish combines diced turkey in a rich, creamy sauce with carrots, peas, celery, and aromatic vegetables. The filling is simmered to perfection with herbs, then topped with buttery puff pastry that bakes to golden perfection.
The entire assembly comes together in about 55 minutes, making it an excellent way to use leftover turkey from holiday meals. The flaky pastry crust provides the perfect contrast to the tender, savory filling beneath.
The kitchen was freezing that evening but the smell of sage and butter quickly warmed everything up. I pulled the leftover turkey from the fridge not really intending to make a masterpiece. Suddenly the idea of a golden crust topping a creamy stew felt like the only logical choice. It turned a quiet Tuesday into something worth celebrating.
My friends arrived just as the pie was hitting the oven the aroma stopping them at the door. We stood around the island chatting and stealing sips of wine while the pastry puffed up golden brown. There is something magnetic about a bubbling pot pie that makes people linger in the kitchen. It was one of those nights where the food did the entertaining.
Ingredients
- Turkey: Leftover meat works best here because it absorbs the savory sauce so well
- Butter: Unsalted gives you control over the seasoning levels in the roux
- Milk and Cream: This combination creates a luxuriously rich gravy base
- Carrots and Peas: They add sweetness and color that balance the savory herbs
- Celery and Onion: The classic mirepoix foundation provides essential aromatic depth
- Garlic: Mince it fresh to avoid the metallic taste of the jarred stuff
- Flour: This is the thickening agent that turns broth into a velvety sauce
- Chicken Broth: Low sodium is crucial so you do not oversalt the final dish
- Thyme and Sage: These earthy herbs scream comfort and pair perfectly with poultry
- Puff Pastry: Keep it cold until the moment you lay it over the filling
- Egg: A simple wash ensures the top turns a beautiful glossy gold
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven:
- Getting the oven hot ensures the puff pastry puffs up immediately
- Sauté Vegetables:
- Cook the aromatics until they are soft to release their full flavor potential
- Make the Roux:
- Cooking the flour with the butter removes the raw taste
- Add Liquids:
- Whisk constantly to prevent lumps from forming in your sauce
- Finish Filling:
- Fold in the meat and spices gently to keep everything intact
- Assemble:
- Pour the mixture into your dish carefully to avoid spills
- Top with Pastry:
- Lay the dough over the top and crimp the edges to seal it shut
- Apply Egg Wash:
- Brush the top lightly to encourage deep browning and crispiness
- Bake:
- Watch for the crust to turn golden and the filling to bubble vigorously
- Resting Time:
- Letting it sit allows the sauce to thicken up slightly for serving
Save Sitting down with that first warm slice felt like a genuine hug after a long week. The contrast of the crisp pastry against the soft filling was absolute perfection.
Choosing the Right Baking Dish
I learned the hard way that a shallow dish leads to a messy oven floor. A deep dish ensures all that creamy filling stays tucked inside where it belongs.
The Secret to the Crust
You want the pastry cold going in but the oven incredibly hot. This shock to the dough creates those flaky layers that shatter when you take a bite.
Serving Suggestions
Let the pie rest even if you are hungry because the filling holds heat like a coal furnace.
- A simple green salad cuts through the richness beautifully
- A glass of crisp white wine balances the warm savory notes
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well for lunch the next day
Save I hope this brings as much warmth to your table as it did to mine. Enjoy every single buttery bite.
Common Recipe Questions
- → Can I use chicken instead of turkey?
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Yes, rotisserie chicken works beautifully as a substitute. Use the same amount and follow the instructions identically.
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
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Prepare the filling up to 24 hours in advance and refrigerate. Add the puff pastry just before baking for best results.
- → What vegetables can I add?
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Diced potatoes, green beans, or corn make excellent additions. Keep total vegetable quantity around 3 cups for proper filling consistency.
- → How do I store leftovers?
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Cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven for 15–20 minutes to maintain pastry crispness.
- → Can I freeze this dish?
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Freeze unbaked for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 10–15 minutes to the baking time. Already baked portions freeze well too.
- → Why did my filling not thicken?
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Ensure you cook the flour with vegetables for 2 minutes and simmer the sauce long enough. The mixture should coat the back of a spoon.
