Name: Sourdough Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-491536H54M22S
Total time: PT-491536H54M22S
Cuisine: american
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup chopped yellow onion; 1 cup chopped carrots; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 cup frozen corn; 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; 2 cups turkey or chicken broth; 1 cup milk (whole or 2%); 2 cups cooked sourdough turkey, shredded or diced; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon dried sage; Salt to taste; Black pepper to taste; 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed; 1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

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Transforming those Thanksgiving leftovers into a comforting, delicious meal has never been easier or more satisfying.

This Sourdough Leftover Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry recipe is a true weeknight hero, taking your holiday remnants and giving them a whole new life as a flaky, savory, and utterly irresistible dinner. It’s the perfect way to extend the joy of a big meal without any extra fuss.

This recipe focuses on simplicity and flavor, using readily available ingredients to create a dish that feels both gourmet and incredibly homey. The golden, buttery puff pastry crust provides a delightful contrast to the rich, creamy turkey filling, making every bite a pure delight. Get ready to turn yesterday’s feast into today’s family favorite!

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Time Needed From Start To Finish
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a dream come true for anyone looking to make the most of their Thanksgiving turkey leftovers without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s perfect for busy weeknights when you want something hearty and homemade but don’t have the energy for an elaborate meal. Families will adore this dish because it’s packed with familiar, comforting flavors, and the flaky puff pastry top is always a hit with both kids and adults. You can serve it as a standalone dinner, making it an excellent choice for a cozy family meal or even a casual gathering with friends. It’s a fantastic way to stretch your budget and reduce food waste, turning what might otherwise be discarded into a truly spectacular meal. The ease of assembly means you can have a delicious, warm pot pie on the table with minimal effort, making it a go-to recipe for those days when you crave comfort food without the culinary gymnastics.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients for this pot pie is straightforward, focusing on items you likely already have on hand or can easily pick up. The beauty of this recipe lies in its ability to transform simple components into something truly special.

INGREDIENTS:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup frozen peas
1 cup frozen corn
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups turkey or chicken broth
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
2 cups cooked sourdough turkey, shredded or diced
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried sage
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed
1 large egg, beaten (for egg wash)

For easy substitutions, you can swap out the specific vegetables listed for any other cooked or frozen veggies you have on hand – green beans, potatoes, or mushrooms would all work wonderfully. If you don’t have turkey broth, chicken broth is a perfect substitute. For a richer flavor, you can use half-and-half instead of milk. The sourdough turkey simply refers to turkey that has been cooked with sourdough bread or stuffing, often found in Thanksgiving leftovers. If your turkey wasn’t specifically “sourdough turkey,” any cooked, shredded turkey will be delicious.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This recipe is designed for efficiency, allowing you to get a delicious, homemade meal on the table without a long wait.

Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 25-30 minutes Total time: 40-45 minutes

The prep time includes chopping your vegetables and shredding the turkey, while the cooking time accounts for simmering the filling and baking the puff pastry until golden brown and flaky. This makes it a perfect candidate for a weeknight dinner when you need something satisfying and quick.

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Creating this comforting turkey pot pie is a simple process, broken down into easy-to-follow steps that ensure a perfect result every time.

Sauté the Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven (at least 9-10 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep), melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the chopped yellow onion and carrots, cooking for about 5-7 minutes until they are softened and the onion is translucent. This step builds the foundational flavor of your pot pie.
Add the Remaining Vegetables: Stir in the frozen peas and corn. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing them to warm through. The vibrant colors of the vegetables will start to pop, indicating they are ready for the next stage.
Create the Roux and Liquid Base: Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1 minute. This creates a roux, which will thicken your sauce. Gradually pour in the turkey or chicken broth, whisking continuously to prevent lumps. Once smooth, slowly add the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture begins to thicken and bubble gently.
Incorporate Turkey and Seasonings: Add the shredded or diced cooked sourdough turkey, dried thyme, and dried sage to the thickened sauce. Stir everything together until the turkey is well coated and the mixture is evenly combined. Season generously with salt and black pepper to taste. The filling should be rich and creamy at this point.
Prepare the Puff Pastry Topping: Carefully unroll the thawed puff pastry sheet. If your skillet is round, you can use a plate or the skillet itself as a guide to cut the pastry into a slightly larger circle than the top of your skillet. If using a rectangular baking dish, simply place the pastry over the top. Gently drape the puff pastry over the hot turkey filling in the skillet, pressing it lightly around the edges to seal. You can crimp the edges for a decorative touch.
Egg Wash and Venting: In a small bowl, beat the large egg. Brush the top of the puff pastry with the beaten egg wash; this will give it a beautiful golden sheen. Using a sharp knife, cut a few small slits in the center of the pastry to allow steam to escape during baking, preventing it from puffing up too much in the middle.
Bake Until Golden: Place the skillet into a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the puff pastry is deeply golden brown and beautifully puffed, and the filling is bubbling around the edges. The visual cue of a golden, flaky crust is your signal that it’s perfectly done.
Rest and Serve: Carefully remove the pot pie from the oven. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the filling to set slightly and prevents burns from the hot, bubbling sauce. Serve warm and enjoy your comforting creation!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This Sourdough Leftover Turkey Pot Pie is incredibly versatile, making it easy to adapt to different tastes and occasions.

For a kid-friendly twist, you can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of the puff pastry before placing it on top, like stars or animals. Kids often enjoy helping with this step! You can also finely dice the vegetables to make them less noticeable for picky eaters.

If you want to add more protein, cooked shredded chicken can easily replace the turkey, or you can add some cooked bacon bits to the filling for a smoky flavor. For a vegetarian option, simply omit the turkey and add extra vegetables like diced potatoes, mushrooms, or chickpeas.

Serving suggestions are straightforward. This pot pie is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to add a fresh contrast. A side of cranberry sauce, if you have any leftover, can also be a delightful accompaniment, offering a touch of sweetness. For a heartier meal, a warm crusty bread for dipping into the creamy sauce would be excellent. This dish is also fantastic for buffet-style serving; simply make it in a large casserole dish and let guests serve themselves.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have small pitfalls. Being aware of these common mistakes can help you achieve a perfect pot pie every time.

One frequent issue is a soggy puff pastry crust. This often happens if the filling is too wet or if the pastry isn’t baked long enough at a high enough temperature. To avoid this, make sure your filling is adequately thickened before adding the pastry. Also, ensure your oven is fully preheated to 400°F (200°C) and bake until the pastry is deep golden brown, not just lightly colored. The egg wash also helps create a barrier and promotes browning.

Another common mistake is overfilling your skillet or dish. If the filling is too close to the top, it can bubble over during baking, making a mess and potentially burning. Leave about an inch of space between the filling and the rim of your dish.

Not thawing the puff pastry properly can also cause issues. If it’s still too frozen, it will crack when you try to unroll it. If it’s too warm, it can become sticky and difficult to handle. Thaw it in the refrigerator for a few hours or at room temperature for about 30-40 minutes until it’s pliable but still cool.

Finally, not seasoning enough can lead to a bland pot pie. Taste your filling before you add the puff pastry and adjust the salt and pepper as needed. Remember, the pastry itself isn’t seasoned,

FAQs

Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.