The Ultimate Leftover Thanksgiving Pie: A Delicious & Easy Turkey Recipe

Transforming Thanksgiving leftovers into a spectacular new meal is an art, and this Leftover Thanksgiving Pie is your masterpiece. Say goodbye to mundane reheated plates and hello to a fun, creative, and utterly delicious way to savor the holiday flavors all over again, one delightful slice at a time!

Why This Leftover Turkey Pie Recipe is a Must-Try

Every year, the same delightful dilemma arises: what to do with the abundance of Thanksgiving leftovers? Even after friends and family have packed their containers and headed home, a generous amount of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy often remains. While snacking on a few favorite items is a temporary solution, the inevitable tossing of food later feels wasteful and disheartening.

This is precisely where our Leftover Thanksgiving Pie recipe shines. It offers a brilliant solution to repurpose all those cherished components of your holiday feast. You can effortlessly layer any and all of your favorite Thanksgiving remnants into a flaky pie crust, creating a sensational pie that allows you to relive the joy and flavors of the meal in a completely new and exciting format. It’s a fantastic way to minimize food waste while maximizing enjoyment!

Whether you crave a generous wedge to satisfy your post-holiday hunger or a delicate sliver to savor the flavors, this pie caters to your every desire. It’s also an absolute dream come true for those who, like me, enjoy combining their foods. There’s nothing quite like tossing everything into a bowl and diving in, but with this pie, you can forget the bowl!

Instead, imagine a golden, flaky pie crust expertly holding together all those delicious layers of goodness. Each bite becomes a perfect medley of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and gravy – a harmonious blend that creates an explosion of flavor. It’s the ultimate savory experience, offering the best of your holiday meal in every forkful.

On Thanksgiving Day itself, I’m a stickler for tradition. I meticulously arrange my portions of dressing, potatoes, green beans, cranberry sauce, and turkey, ensuring each item remains respectfully separated on my plate. However, once the official feast is over, all bets are off! This incredible leftover pie becomes an annual tradition in our household. Why limit it to just Thanksgiving? This pie is also perfect for repurposing Christmas dinner leftovers. The entire holiday food spread can be joyfully enclosed within a savory pie and devoured with gusto!

I must confess, I have a deep affection for savory pies, and this one consistently hits all the right notes. Another compelling reason why this recipe is a game-changer is its remarkable simplicity. You literally just layer your cooked turkey and various side dishes on top of each other within a pie crust. Seal it with another crust, bake it to golden perfection, and voilà! That’s all there is to it.

Some culinary enthusiasts enjoy crafting individual hand pies with their leftovers. While I appreciate the effort, making hand pies can be significantly more time-consuming and labor-intensive. If your goal is to get a delicious, satisfying meal on the table quickly and with minimal fuss, this full-sized leftover pie recipe is undoubtedly the superior choice. It’s designed for efficiency without compromising on flavor or the comforting essence of your holiday meal.

The active prep time for this recipe is astonishingly brief, typically around 10 minutes, even when you’re taking your time. This makes it an incredibly convenient and stress-free way to utilize that leftover Thanksgiving turkey and all the accompanying fixings. I genuinely adore this recipe not only for its ease but also for its consistently delicious results. It’s a winning combination that ensures no holiday food goes to waste, transforming it into another memorable meal.

Essential Ingredients for Your Leftover Pie

This is where the beauty of this recipe truly shines: it’s incredibly flexible! There are no strict rules when it comes to the ingredients – essentially, whatever Thanksgiving leftovers you have on hand will work wonderfully. Of course, it’s safe to assume that your delicious leftover turkey will be the star of the show. For many, including us, the traditional Thanksgiving spread typically includes succulent turkey, savory cornbread dressing (or stuffing), creamy mashed potatoes, sweet corn, a tangy homemade cranberry sauce, and the beloved green bean casserole, all generously drizzled with rich, flavorful gravy.

While other holiday delights like deviled eggs, fluffy crescent rolls, and various desserts are fantastic, we usually draw the line there and keep them separate from the savory pie (though a moment of contemplation about a dessert pie did cross my mind! 🤔). Unfortunately, my daughter is such a fan of green bean casserole that I rarely have any left to include in this pie. But if you do, absolutely add it in – it would be a delightful addition!

Your Thanksgiving feast might feature a similar lineup, or perhaps you have other delightful leftover vegetables. The good news is, it all works! This pie embraces variety, and the end result will taste distinctly like *your* Thanksgiving meal, but presented in a wonderfully convenient and comforting slice of pie. It’s a culinary hug that brings back all those warm holiday memories!

Our particularly delicious version of this leftover Thanksgiving pie typically features the following key components:

• Turkey – The undisputed star and cornerstone of this savory pie. Make sure it’s shredded or diced into manageable pieces.
• Cornbread dressing – This classic holiday side adds incredible flavor and texture. If you have any stuffing left, that would work just as wonderfully (assuming there’s any left to begin with! 🙂).
• Mashed potatoes – Providing a creamy layer that binds the other ingredients beautifully.
• Corn – Adds a touch of sweetness and vibrant color. Feel free to substitute with other preferred vegetables.
• Gravy – Absolutely essential! It not only infuses the pie with incredible flavor but also ensures a wonderfully moist and cohesive filling.
• Cranberry Sauce – We prefer to serve this on the side, allowing each person to customize the sweet-tart balance in every bite.
• Pie Crust – For ultimate convenience and speed, grab a package of store-bought pie crusts (you’ll need two) from your local grocery store. Alternatively, if you’re feeling ambitious, a homemade pie crust will elevate the experience even further.
• Beaten egg with a splash of water – This simple egg wash creates that beautiful golden-brown, crispy finish on your top crust.

Step-by-Step Guide: Crafting Your Leftover Turkey Pie

Creating this flavorful leftover turkey pie is remarkably simple. Follow these straightforward steps to bring your Thanksgiving leftovers back to life in an exciting new form:

First, preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius). This ensures your pie crust bakes evenly to a perfect golden brown and all the delicious layers inside are thoroughly warmed through.

Begin by carefully lining a standard pie plate with one of your pie crusts, pressing it gently to fit the contours of the dish.

Next, evenly distribute the chopped turkey meat over the bottom crust. If you have larger chunks of turkey, it’s best to cut them into smaller, bite-sized pieces beforehand for easier slicing and a more harmonious texture in the finished pie.

Pour about half of your leftover gravy evenly over the turkey layer. This will add moisture and a rich flavor base. Following this, carefully spread the mashed potatoes over the gravy, creating a smooth and even layer.

On top of the mashed potatoes, add a layer of corn. This is also the perfect spot to include any other leftover vegetables you might have, such as roasted carrots or peas. Roasted carrots, for example, would introduce a wonderful sweetness and texture to the pie.

Now, gently add your cornbread dressing (or stuffing) on top of the corn layer. If your dressing is cold and has solidified, use a fork to break it up into smaller, more manageable pieces, ensuring it distributes evenly throughout the pie.

Generously pour the remaining gravy over the dressing. This final layer of gravy will seep down, moistening all the components and enhancing the overall flavor profile of your savory pie.

Carefully place the second pie crust over the filled pie. Trim any excess dough and then crimp the edges firmly to seal the pie, creating a beautiful and functional crust. In a small bowl, whisk together one beaten egg with a splash of water to create an egg wash. Using a pastry brush, apply an even coat of this egg wash over the entire top crust; this will give your pie a glossy, golden-brown finish as it bakes. Finally, make a few small slits in the top dough with a knife. These vents are crucial for allowing steam to escape during cooking, preventing the crust from puffing up excessively or becoming soggy.

Place your assembled leftover Thanksgiving pie onto a foil-lined baking sheet. The foil will catch any potential drips and make cleanup a breeze. Carefully transfer the baking sheet with the pie into your preheated oven.

Bake the pie for approximately 40-45 minutes, or until the top crust is a beautiful, flaky golden brown and the filling is heated through and bubbly. Keep an eye on it to prevent over-browning.

Once baked, remove the pie from the oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to slice it. This crucial resting period allows the filling to set properly, ensuring clean, intact slices that hold their shape beautifully.

Now for the best part! Slice into your magnificent Leftover Thanksgiving Pie and serve it with a side of extra cranberry sauce. Each bite is a delightful journey back to the holiday table, allowing you and your entire family to get stuffed all over again, whether it’s Thanksgiving or Christmas! Keep this incredibly quick, easy, and undeniably delicious Thanksgiving dinner leftover pie recipe close at hand. It’s a true culinary gem! Just remember to set aside a little extra turkey for that essential, iconic leftover turkey sandwich too – some traditions are simply non-negotiable.

Creative Variations to Customize Your Leftover Pie

This Leftover Thanksgiving Pie recipe is a fantastic canvas for culinary creativity. Don’t hesitate to experiment with different combinations and additions to make it truly your own. Here are a few delicious variations to inspire you:

• As we’ve mentioned, nearly any Thanksgiving side dish can find a happy home in this pie. For example, substituting sweet potatoes for traditional mashed potatoes would introduce a delightful sweetness and different texture, creating a truly unique and delicious flavor profile.
• Consider adding roasted carrots to your pie. Their natural sweetness and tender-crisp texture would complement the savory elements beautifully, offering an extra layer of flavor and nutrition.
• If macaroni and cheese is a staple on your Thanksgiving table, don’t shy away from incorporating it! A creamy layer of mac and cheese would add a rich, comforting element that perfectly marries with the turkey and other sides.
• For a more individual and portable option, you can easily adapt this recipe into hand pies. Simply combine all your leftover ingredients into a cohesive mixture, then spoon portions onto 6-inch rounds of pie crust. Top with another crust, crimp the edges, and bake for about 15-20 minutes until golden. These are perfect for on-the-go enjoyment or lunchboxes.
• If you’re a devoted fan of cranberry sauce and enjoy its sweet-tart flavor integrated throughout your savory dishes, feel free to add a thin layer directly into the pie filling instead of just serving it on the side. This creates a wonderfully integrated flavor experience.
• Experiment with different cheeses! A sprinkle of cheddar or Gruyère cheese over one of the internal layers could add a fantastic cheesy tang and richness.
• If you have any leftover roasted root vegetables like parsnips or Brussels sprouts, chop them up and add them in for extra depth of flavor and nutrients.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leftover Turkey Pie

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