Quick Family Dinner: Pioneer Woman Leftover Turkey Pie Recipe
Leftover turkey pie rescues holiday remnants with a mouthwatering culinary twist that sparks pure comfort.
Abandoned meat from your festive feast finds new life in this delectable creation.
Ingenious cooks transform potential waste into a sensational dish that beckons family to the table.
Layers of tender turkey mingle with vibrant vegetables and a velvety sauce that whispers nostalgia.
Flaky, golden pastry embraces each savory bite with irresistible warmth.
Fragrant herbs dance through the filling, elevating simple ingredients into a spectacular meal.
This pie promises to turn forgotten leftovers into a showstopping dinner that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 18 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
Calories: 400 kcal
Servings: 5
Ingredients for Pioneer Woman’s Leftover Turkey Pie
For The Base:
Onions: Choose firm, glossy bulbs without soft spots for robust flavor.
Carrots: Select bright orange, crisp carrots with smooth skin for sweetness.
Celery: Pick stalks that are firm, pale green, and free from blemishes.
Butter: Look for fresh, high-quality unsalted butter for rich taste.
For The Protein:
Ground Turkey: Select lean meat with minimal visible fat for healthier option.
For The Liquid Components:
Chicken Broth, Turkey Broth: Opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt levels.
White Wine: Choose dry, crisp wine that enhances overall dish complexity.
Heavy Cream: Select fresh, pure cream for luxurious texture.
For The Frozen Element:
Frozen Peas: Pick bright green, uniform peas without freezer burn.
For The Seasonings:
Salt, Black Pepper: Use freshly ground pepper and kosher salt for vibrant taste.
Dried Thyme: Ensure herbs are fragrant and within expiration date.
For The Crust:
Pie Crust: Select pre-made or prepare homemade with quality flour and cold butter.
Tools to Make Leftover Turkey Pie
Large Skillet or Dutch Oven: Perfect for sautéing vegetables and browning turkey.
Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Essential for stirring ingredients and preventing sticking.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for chopping vegetables.
Sharp Knife: Helps dice onions, carrots, and slice celery quickly.
Pie Dish: Serves as the baking vessel for your turkey pot pie.
Rolling Pin: Helps roll out pie crust to the right thickness.
Oven Mitts: Protects hands when handling hot dishes.
Cooling Rack: Allows pie to rest and cool evenly after baking.
Cooking Instructions for Turkey Pie
Kickstart The Kitchen Adventure Begin by warming your oven to a toasty 400°F, creating the perfect cozy environment for your culinary creation.
Veggie Magic Transform a skillet into a flavor playground by gently sautéing onions, carrots, and celery until they dance with translucent softness, releasing their delicious aromas.
Turkey Transformation Introduce ground turkey to the pan, breaking it into crumbly bits and cooking until every morsel turns a beautiful golden brown, signaling it's perfectly prepared.
Flavor Foundation Dust the sizzling mixture with a light sprinkle of flour, stirring continuously to create a silky base that will transform your filling into a luxurious blend of textures.
Liquid Love Pour in rich broth, a splash of wine, and creamy goodness, inviting frozen peas to join the party and mingle with the developing flavors.
Simmer And Season Bring your mixture to a gentle bubble, allowing it to thicken and whisper its aromatic secrets. Sprinkle in salt, pepper, and thyme, tasting and adjusting until the flavor symphony feels just right.
Crust Creation Roll out your pastry canvas, stretching it generously to embrace the entire dish with a warm, buttery hug.
Final Flourish Drape the crust over your bubbling filling, tucking its edges lovingly and creating a few strategic breathing holes to let steam escape.
Baking Brilliance Slide your masterpiece into the waiting oven, watching as it transforms into a golden-brown work of art with a beautifully crisp top and bubbling edges.
Patience Rewards Let your pie rest and settle, allowing the filling to become wonderfully set, promising a perfect slice that's worth every delicious moment of anticipation.
Turkey Pie Tips & Variations
Boost Turkey Pot Pie Flavor: Sprinkle smoked paprika or add a dash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper, richer flavor profiles that elevate the classic recipe.
Customize Vegetable Mix: Swap or add seasonal vegetables like diced sweet potatoes, parsnips, or bell peppers to create unique texture and nutritional variety in your pot pie.
Perfect Crust Techniques: Brush pie crust with egg wash or melted butter before baking to achieve a glossy, golden-brown exterior that's crispy and visually stunning.
Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the filling and pie crust separately up to two days in advance, then assemble and bake when ready to serve, saving time and reducing day-of kitchen stress.
How to Serve Turkey Pie
Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, creamy turkey pie with a crisp green salad featuring mixed lettuce, cherry tomatoes, and a light vinaigrette dressing for balanced nutrition.
Serve with Warm Bread: Slice some crusty artisan bread or soft dinner rolls to soak up the delicious, creamy filling and add extra texture to your meal.
Create Family-Style Presentation: Transfer the golden-brown pie directly to the dining table and let everyone scoop their own portion, creating a warm, communal dining experience that encourages conversation and connection.
Garnish with Herbal Touch: Sprinkle some fresh chopped parsley or chives on top of each serving to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green color contrast to the pie's golden crust.
Storage Tips for Leftover Turkey Pie
Meal Planning & Storage Advice
Batch Prep for Busy Weeks: Cook an extra turkey pot pie and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Perfect for quick lunches or dinners during hectic schedules.
Freeze for Future Comfort: Wrap unbaked pot pie tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking for a stress-free meal solution.
Smart Portion Control: Divide filling into individual ramekins for personalized servings. Cover and refrigerate separately from the crust to maintain optimal texture and prevent sogginess.
Revive Leftovers Like a Pro: Reheat refrigerated pot pie in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes. Place a loose foil tent over the top to prevent excessive browning while ensuring the center stays warm and delicious.
Comforting leftover turkey pie brings hearty flavors from kitchen scraps into a delicious single-dish meal. Home cooks can quickly assemble this simple recipe with remaining roasted turkey, vegetables, and creamy sauce beneath golden pastry.
Ingredients
Scale
2 cups leftover turkey (light and dark, diced or shredded)
1 pie crust (½ of perfect pie crust recipe)
2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
¾ cup heavy cream
½ cup finely diced onion
½ cup finely diced carrot
½ cup finely diced celery
1 cup frozen peas (optional)
½ stick (4 tbsps/56 g) butter
¼ cup flour
¼ cup white wine (optional)
2 tsps fresh thyme, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Preparation Setup: Position oven rack in center and preheat to 400°F (204°C).
Vegetable Foundation: Melt butter in skillet, sauté onions, carrots, and celery until translucent and tender, creating an aromatic base for the pie.
Protein Integration: Add ground turkey to vegetable mixture, browning thoroughly and breaking into uniform pieces, ensuring complete cooking.
Thickening Process: Dust flour over turkey-vegetable blend, stirring meticulously to create a smooth roux, which develops depth and eliminates raw flour taste.
Liquid Enhancement: Pour broth and optional white wine gradually, whisking continuously to prevent lumps and develop a silky, rich sauce.
Flavor Enrichment: Fold in cream and frozen peas, allowing mixture to simmer and thicken, developing a luxurious, creamy consistency.
Seasoning Balance: Incorporate salt, black pepper, and dried thyme, adjusting flavors to create a harmonious taste profile.
Crust Preparation: Roll pie crust on floured surface, ensuring it extends slightly beyond baking dish’s diameter for proper coverage.
Assembly and Baking: Transfer filling to baking dish, drape crust over top, crimp edges, cut steam vents, and bake for 35-45 minutes until crust turns golden brown and filling bubbles.
Resting Period: Remove from oven and allow pie to rest 10-15 minutes, enabling filling to set and facilitating easier serving.
Notes
Prevent Soggy Crust: Brush the bottom pie crust with beaten egg white before adding filling to create a protective barrier that keeps the base crisp and flaky.
Enhance Flavor Depth: Consider adding a splash of dry white wine or sherry during the roux stage to introduce complex, sophisticated undertones to the turkey filling.
Master Roux Technique: Stir flour constantly when creating the roux to avoid burning and ensure a smooth, lump-free sauce that thickens perfectly without developing a raw flour taste.
Optimal Resting Time: Allow the pot pie to cool for 10-15 minutes after baking, which helps the filling stabilize and makes cutting cleaner slices easier without losing the creamy texture.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.