How To Turn Leftover Turkey Into The Coziest Pot Pie

The holidays are over, the guests have gone home, and your fridge is packed with leftovers. While another turkey sandwich sounds okay, I’m here to show you a much more exciting and comforting way to use that delicious leftover turkey.

As a registered dietitian, I love finding ways to make comforting classics both nutritious and incredibly satisfying, a philosophy I apply to my analysis of popular wellness products and holiday leftovers. This turkey pot pie with a fluffy biscuit topping is the perfect post-holiday meal.

It’s a hearty, one-pan wonder that brings everyone back to the table for a cozy dinner without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s the perfect way to fight food waste while enjoying a meal that feels like a warm hug in a bowl.

Why Is This the Perfect Post-Holiday Meal?

Beyond being simply delicious, this recipe is a smart strategic move after a big cooking holiday like Thanksgiving. It’s designed to make your life easier while still delivering a five-star comfort food experience.

• It Reduces Food Waste: A significant amount of food is often wasted after big holiday meals. This recipe is specifically designed to use up leftover cooked turkey and even extra vegetables you might have on hand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) encourages finding creative uses for leftovers to minimize waste, and this pot pie is a perfect example.
• It’s Quick and Easy: After days of elaborate cooking, the last thing anyone wants is another complicated recipe. This pot pie uses a simple, one-skillet method and relies on convenient canned biscuits for the topping, cutting down on both prep time and cleanup.
• It’s a Balanced, Hearty Meal: This isn’t just empty-calorie comfort food. With a generous serving of protein from the turkey, carbohydrates from the biscuits, and essential vitamins and fiber from the vegetables, it’s a complete meal in one dish. Research from Harvard Health shows that protein is crucial for muscle repair and satiety, making this a truly satisfying meal that will keep you full and nourished.

What Makes The Filling So Creamy and Flavorful?

The heart of any great pot pie is its filling. The secret lies in building layers of flavor.

It starts with a classic mirepoix—onion and celery—sautéed in butter to create an aromatic base. Then comes the most critical part: the roux.

By cooking flour in the butter, you create a thickening agent that gives the filling its signature velvety texture. When you slowly whisk in the broth, the roux dissolves and creates a lump-free, rich gravy.

Using whole milk adds a touch of creamy luxury that you just can’t get from water or broth alone. For an even richer, more decadent filling, you can substitute heavy cream.

Finally, a mix of classic pot pie vegetables like peas, carrots, and even cauliflower adds sweetness, texture, and a boost of nutrients.

How Do I Get The Biscuit Topping Just Right?

The biscuit topping is what truly sets this recipe apart from a traditional pot pie. It’s faster than making a pie crust and adds a wonderful, fluffy texture.

But there are a few tricks to ensure your biscuits are perfectly cooked—golden brown on top and fully baked, not doughy, on the bottom.

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: Place the biscuits on top of the filling with a little space between them. This allows hot air to circulate, helping the sides of the biscuits cook through.
• Consider Halving Them: If you’re using the large, ‘Grands!’ style canned biscuits, I recommend slicing them in half horizontally. This creates a thinner biscuit that will bake much more evenly and quickly, preventing a doughy bottom.
• Ensure the Filling is Hot: Don’t put cold biscuits on cold filling. Make sure the filling is bubbling hot when you top it. This gives the biscuits a head start on cooking from the bottom up the moment they hit the pan.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Making the Pot Pie

This recipe is designed for ease and simplicity. Follow these steps for a perfect pot pie every time.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups low-sodium chicken or turkey broth
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 bag (12 oz) frozen mixed peas and carrots
• 1 bag (12 oz) frozen cauliflower florets
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2-3 cups cooked turkey, diced or shredded
• 1 can (16 oz) refrigerated biscuits

Instructions:

1. Preheat & Sauté: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large, oven-safe skillet (a 10- or 12-inch cast iron works perfectly), melt the butter over medium heat. Add the diced onion and celery and sauté for 5-6 minutes, until they soften.
2. Build the Base: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes. This step toasts the flour and gets rid of any raw taste.
3. Create the Gravy: Reduce the heat to low and slowly pour in the broth while whisking continuously to prevent lumps. The mixture will start to thicken.
4. Add Veggies & Simmer: Stir in the frozen vegetables, salt, and pepper. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender.
5. Finish the Filling: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the milk and the cooked turkey until everything is well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Top with Biscuits: Arrange the biscuit dough rounds on top of the hot filling. As mentioned, for larger biscuits, consider slicing them in half for even baking.
7. Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until the biscuits are a deep golden brown and cooked through.

Is Turkey Pot Pie a Healthy Choice?

As a dietitian, I can confirm that a homemade pot pie like this can absolutely be part of a healthy diet. The key is in the ingredients and the portion size.

Turkey is a fantastic source of lean protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle, and it also provides key nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. According to the USDA’s FoodData Central, a 100g serving of roasted turkey breast contains about 29 grams of protein.

The vegetables in this recipe add fiber, vitamins, and minerals. To make it even healthier, consider these tips:

• Use Low-Sodium Broth: This can significantly reduce the sodium content, which is beneficial for heart health, a recommendation often emphasized by the American Heart Association.
• Load Up on Veggies: Don’t be afraid to add more vegetables than the recipe calls for. Mushrooms, green beans, or leeks are all excellent additions that boost the fiber and nutrient density.
• Opt for whole wheat: If making homemade biscuits, consider using whole wheat flour to increase the fiber content.

Smart Swaps and Delicious Variations

This recipe is incredibly versatile. Think of it as a template you can adapt based on what you have on hand or your personal preferences.

• Protein Swap: No leftover turkey? This works beautifully with shredded rotisserie chicken or even cooked ham.
• Vegetable Medley: Feel free to use any frozen or fresh vegetables you like. Corn, green beans, pearl onions, and diced potatoes are all classic additions. If using fresh, hard vegetables like potatoes, add them with the onions and celery to give them enough time to cook.
• Herbaceous Boost: Add a teaspoon of dried thyme or a tablespoon of fresh, chopped herbs like rosemary or sage to the filling for a more complex, savory flavor.
• Cheesy Topping: For extra decadence, sprinkle some shredded sharp cheddar or Gruyère cheese over the biscuits in the last few minutes of baking. If you love rich, creamy meals, our healthy alfredo meatballs are another great option to try.
• Different Topping: Not a biscuit fan? Top the filling with a sheet of puff pastry (be sure to cut a few slits for steam to escape) or a layer of creamy mashed potatoes for a shepherd’s pie-style dish.

How To Safely Store and Reheat Your Pot Pie

Handling leftovers safely is paramount. According to the USDA’s food safety guidelines, leftover turkey should be refrigerated and used within 3 to 4 days.

When making this pot pie, keep that timeline in mind. Store any leftover pot pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

The biscuits will lose some of their crispness upon reheating. For the best results, reheat individual portions in an oven or toaster oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

The microwave works in a pinch, but the biscuits will be much softer. The FDA reminds us to always reheat leftovers to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to ensure any potential bacteria are killed.

What Should I Serve With This Pot Pie?

This turkey pot pie is a very rich and satisfying main course, so the best side dishes are ones that are light, fresh, and add a bit of contrast. A simple green salad with a bright vinaigrette is a perfect choice to cut through the creaminess of the filling.

Other great options include steamed green beans, a cozy sweet potato and apple bake, or even a side of tangy cranberry sauce to echo those holiday flavors.

Conclusion

This turkey pot pie with biscuits is more than just a recipe; it’s a solution. It’s the solution to leftover fatigue, the desire for a low-effort but high-reward meal, and the need for pure, unadulterated comfort food.

By transforming simple leftovers into a bubbling, golden-topped skillet of joy, you give them a delicious new life. I encourage you to try this recipe the next time you have leftover turkey and discover just how easy and satisfying it can be.