The Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry

As the Thanksgiving weekend winds down, a quiet, cozy feeling settles in. The fridge is still full, but the energy for a big cooking project is gone. You’re craving something warm, comforting, and simple—a meal that feels like a hug in a dish.

This, my friends, is the moment for the undisputed champion of comfort food: a bubbling, creamy, leftover turkey pot pie.

But we’re not making just any pot pie. Our secret weapon is a sheet of store-bought puff pastry for the crust. In my experience, this one simple shortcut transforms the dish from a project into an easy, elegant meal. It creates an unbelievably flaky, golden, and buttery topping that shatters with every bite. This is the most luxurious “recipycle” you can imagine, turning leftovers into a truly spectacular dinner. The Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry.

Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

For those who want the cozy results, fast:

• Effortless Elegance: Store-bought puff pastry is the key. It delivers a gourmet, bakery-quality crust with almost zero effort.
• Leftover Hero: This recipe is designed to use up leftover turkey, vegetables, and even that last bit of broth from the holiday.
• One-Dish Wonder: Everything bakes together in one dish, creating a rich, savory filling and a perfect crust all at once. It’s a complete meal.
• Beginner-Proof Sauce: Our baby-steps guide will walk you through making a lump-free, perfectly creamy sauce—it’s easier than you think!

Why This is the Perfect “Recipycle” Comfort Meal

This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a strategy for making the most of your holiday bounty while treating yourself to a truly satisfying meal.

• Transforms Leftovers: It magically combines separate, leftover ingredients into one cohesive, deeply flavorful dish. Nothing feels like an afterthought.
• Rich and Satisfying: The combination of creamy sauce, tender turkey, soft vegetables, and that crisp, buttery pastry is the definition of soul-warming food.
• Incredibly Versatile: Don’t have the exact veggies listed? No problem! This recipe is a perfect template for using whatever you have on hand.

Ingredients & Equipment: Building Blocks for the Coziest Meal

The ingredients are simple and flexible, designed to work with what you likely already have post-Thanksgiving.

For the Creamy Turkey Filling

• 3 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
• 1 Yellow Onion, chopped
• 2 Carrots, peeled and diced
• 2 Celery Stalks, diced
• 1/3 cup All-Purpose Flour
• 2 ½ cups Milk (whole milk is best for richness)
• 1 cup Turkey or Chicken Broth
• 3 cups Cooked Leftover Turkey, chopped into bite-sized pieces
• 1 cup Frozen Peas (or a mix of leftover green beans and corn)
• 1 tsp Dried Thyme
• 1/2 tsp Dried Rosemary, crushed
• Salt and Black Pepper, to taste

For the Golden Pastry Topping

• 1 sheet (about 10×10 inches) Frozen Puff Pastry, thawed
• 1 Large Egg, beaten with 1 Tbsp of water (this is for the egg wash)

Essential Equipment

• A large skillet or Dutch oven for making the filling.
• A 9-inch deep-dish pie plate or a similar 2-quart baking dish. Individual ramekins also work wonderfully for single-serving pot pies! A set of these classic ceramic ramekins from Amazon is perfect for this and so many other recipes.
• A pastry brush for the egg wash.

Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Pot Pie (Baby Steps!)

We’ll take this one simple step at a time to guarantee a perfect, comforting pot pie.

Step 1: Get Your Oven and Pastry Ready

1. Preheat Your Oven: First thing’s first. Move an oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Thaw Your Pastry: Make sure your puff pastry sheet is thawed but still cold. You can usually thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours or on the counter for about 40 minutes. Follow the package directions.
3. Prepare the Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk the egg and the tablespoon of water together until smooth. Set it aside for later.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics to Build Flavor

1. Melt the Butter: Place your large skillet or Dutch oven on the stove over medium heat. Add the 3 tablespoons of butter and let it melt completely.
2. Cook the Veggies: Add your chopped onion, carrots, and celery to the melted butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6-8 minutes. You want the vegetables to become soft and the onion to be translucent. This step builds the first layer of flavor.

Step 3: Make the Rich and Creamy Sauce

This is the most important part, and we’ll make it super simple.

1. Add the Flour: Sprinkle the 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour over the softened vegetables in the skillet.
2. Make the Roux: Stir the flour constantly for about one minute until it’s fully combined with the butter and vegetables. It will look like a thick, clumpy paste. This is called a roux, and it’s what will thicken our sauce.
3. Add Liquids Slowly: Now, while whisking or stirring constantly, slowly pour in the 1 cup of broth. Keep stirring until it’s smooth.
4. Add the Milk: Once the broth is incorporated, slowly pour in the 2 ½ cups of milk, continuing to stir as you pour. This slow process is the secret to a lump-free sauce!
5. Simmer and Thicken: Continue cooking and stirring until the sauce comes to a gentle simmer and has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. This should take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Combine Your Delicious Filling

1. Add the Good Stuff: Turn the heat down to low. Stir in your 3 cups of chopped leftover turkey, the 1 cup of frozen peas, the dried thyme, and the crushed rosemary.
2. Season to Perfection: Add a generous amount of salt and pepper. Stir everything together and give it a taste. This is your chance to adjust the seasonings. Does it need more salt? Add it now!
3. Pour into Baking Dish: Once you’re happy with the flavor, carefully pour the entire creamy filling into your pie dish or baking dish.

Step 5: Top with Puff Pastry and Assemble

1. Place the Pastry: Gently unroll your thawed puff pastry sheet. Lay it over the top of your baking dish, covering the filling completely.
2. Trim and Crimp (Optional): Let the pastry hang over the edges slightly. You can trim any major excess with a knife and gently press the edges against the rim of the dish.
3. Brush with Egg Wash: Use your pastry brush to paint a thin, even layer of the egg wash all over the top of the puff pastry. This will give it a beautiful, shiny, golden-brown color when it bakes.
4. Cut Steam Vents: Use a small, sharp knife to cut 3 or 4 small slits in the center of the pastry. This allows steam to escape while it bakes.

Step 6: Bake to Golden-Brown Perfection

1. Place and Bake: Place the pot pie on a baking sheet (to catch any potential drips) and put it in your preheated 400°F oven.
2. Bake for 25-30 Minutes: Bake until the puff pastry is puffed up, deeply golden brown, and the filling is hot and bubbling around the edges.
3. Let it Rest: Carefully remove the pot pie from the oven and let it rest on a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. This is crucial, as it allows the filling to set up a bit so it isn’t too runny.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use leftover gravy in this recipe?

Yes, absolutely! It’s a fantastic way to add even more flavor. You can replace up to 1 cup of the broth with 1 cup of leftover gravy. Simply add it along with the milk.

Do I need to cook the puff pastry before putting it on the pie?

No, do not pre-bake the puff pastry. It bakes right on top of the filling, creating a flaky lid that steams the filling below. For more great tips, expert sources like King Arthur Baking have fantastic guides on working with puff pastry.

Can I make this pot pie ahead of time?

You can prepare the filling up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to bake, pour the cold filling into your dish, top with the fresh puff pastry, and bake as directed. You may need to add 5-10 minutes to the baking time.

What other leftover vegetables can I add?

This recipe is very forgiving! You can add leftover roasted Brussels sprouts (chopped), green beans, corn, or even roasted potatoes. Just add them at the same time as the turkey and peas. It’s a great way to clean out the fridge. For another completely different leftover idea, try our.

The Coziest Ending to Your Holiday

Serving up this warm, bubbling pot pie is one of the most satisfying moments. The golden crust shatters as you scoop into the rich, creamy filling beneath. It’s the perfect, low-effort meal to wrap up the holiday festivities and is proof that sometimes, the leftovers are the best part.

What’s your favorite comfort food to make after a big holiday? Let me know in the comments below!