The CRAZY Flaky Turkey Pot Pie with Puff Pastry That Beats Every Other Leftover Recipe
This is the leftover turkey recipe you’ll actually look forward to. Quick, gorgeous, and so delicious you’ll wish you had more leftovers tomorrow. Go pull that puff pastry out of the freezer — dinner just got exciting again!
When you’re staring at leftover turkey and want something that feels brand-new and a little fancy, this is it. We’re skipping regular pie crust and going straight for buttery, shatteringly crisp puff pastry on top. One bite and that golden dome cracks open to the creamiest filling — it’s pure comfort that looks like you ordered it from a restaurant.
Why Puff Pastry Changes Everything
Regular crust is great, but puff pastry rises tall, stays ultra-flaky, and turns the simplest leftovers into a show-stopper. Plus, the whole thing comes together in under an hour. Perfect for those “I’m tired of turkey sandwiches” nights.
Ingredients (Makes 2 generous individual pot pies or 1 large 9–10 inch pie)
For the filling:
- 4 tablespoons (half stick) butter
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 2–3 ribs celery, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3–4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2½–3 cups chicken or turkey broth (or water in a pinch)
- About 1 cup leftover mashed potatoes (genius thickener — or dice a raw potato if you don’t have any)
- 2–3 cups cooked turkey (or chicken), diced or shredded
- 1 cup frozen peas (added last)
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
- Salt and black pepper to taste (start light — leftovers are usually seasoned)
For the top:
- 1 sheet puff pastry (thawed but still cold)
- 1 egg + 1 tablespoon water (egg wash)
Let’s Make This Ridiculously Good Pie – Step by Step
Step 1: Prep the puff pastry first
Lightly flour your counter and gently roll the puff pastry just enough to smooth the folds. Place your casserole dish upside-down on the pastry and cut around it, leaving ½–1 inch extra all the way around. Put the cut pieces on parchment paper and pop them in the fridge while you cook. Cold pastry = maximum puff later.
Step 2: Cook the veggies
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add carrots and celery first — cook until they’re almost fork-tender (about 6–8 minutes). Add onions and cook until translucent.
Step 3: Make the creamy gravy
Sprinkle flour over the veggies (start with 3 tablespoons) and stir for 2–3 minutes to cook out the raw taste. Slowly pour in the broth while stirring. Let it bubble and thicken. Stir in the leftover mashed potatoes — watch them melt in and make everything silky. If it gets too thick, splash in a little more broth.
Step 4: Season and finish the filling
Add the turkey, thyme, a good pinch of salt, and plenty of black pepper. Taste it — this is your moment to make it perfect. Finally toss in the frozen peas (they’ll thaw instantly). Turn off the heat.
Step 5: Preheat and assemble
Heat oven to 425°F (220°C). Brush the rims of your baking dishes with egg wash — this is the glue that keeps puff pastry sealed. Fill dishes about three-quarters full (don’t overfill or it’ll explode in the oven). Lay the cold puff pastry on top and press firmly around the edges to seal. Trim any huge overhang if you want it neat.
Step 6: Final pretty touches
Cut 2–3 slits in the top for steam to escape. Brush the entire top generously with egg wash — this is what makes it golden and shiny. Place dishes on a baking sheet (trust me — bubbling happens).
Step 7: Bake until it’s Instagram-worthy
Bake 20–30 minutes (20 for small dishes, closer to 30 for one large) until the puff pastry is tall, deep golden, and crazy flaky. You’ll smell it before you see it — that’s when you know it’s ready.
Step 8: The hardest part
Let it cool 10 minutes before digging in. The pastry stays crisp longer and the filling sets up perfectly.
Your First Bite Will Make You Say “Wow”
That crack when you break the puff pastry top? Pure magic. Then comes the rich, creamy filling with tender turkey, sweet veggies, and that secret mashed-potato smoothness. Serve it straight from the little dishes with a spoon and watch everyone fight over seconds.
This is the leftover turkey recipe you’ll actually look forward to. Quick, gorgeous, and so delicious you’ll wish you had more leftovers tomorrow. Go pull that puff pastry out of the freezer — dinner just got exciting again!
