The holiday season is filled with delicious feasts and family gatherings, but if you’re like most of us, there are always some leftovers hanging around after the festivities. While turkey sandwiches and reheated stuffing might be the go-to options, why not give those leftovers a second life in a warm, comforting pot pie? Leftover Turkey and Ham Pot Pie is the perfect way to transform your holiday meals into something new, while still savoring those familiar flavors.
This dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and the ultimate comfort food for those cozy evenings after the holiday hustle. Whether you have leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or ham from Christmas dinner, this hearty pie brings everything together in a flaky, golden crust that’s sure to impress.
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to use your leftover turkey and ham to create a savory pot pie filled with creamy filling, mixed vegetables, and delicious seasonings. It’s the ideal way to repurpose your leftovers and make a meal that feels special, even when it’s made from what you already have in the fridge.
Ingredients for Leftover Turkey and Ham Pot Pie
Before diving into the steps of making this delicious leftover turkey and ham pot pie, let’s go over the key ingredients you’ll need to gather. You probably already have most of these on hand, especially if you’re working with leftover holiday meals.
Main Ingredients:
- Leftover turkey: Shredded or chopped, this is the star of the show. It adds a rich flavor that works perfectly with the savory ham.
- Leftover ham: Adds a savory and slightly smoky flavor, balancing out the turkey and vegetables.
- Frozen or fresh vegetables: A mix of peas, carrots, green beans, and celery work best for this recipe. You can customize this depending on what you have in the fridge!
- Butter and flour: To make the roux for the filling, you’ll need these for thickening the sauce.
- Chicken or turkey broth: This helps create the base for the creamy filling. Turkey broth would be ideal for extra flavor, but chicken broth works just as well.
- Milk or cream: For that creamy texture in the filling.
- Pie crust: You can use either a store-bought flaky pie crust or make your own. If you want to learn how to make a perfect pie crust from scratch, check out this flaky pie crust recipe.
- Seasonings: Salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning bring a cozy depth of flavor to the filling.
Optional Add-ins:
- Mushrooms: For extra flavor and texture, mushrooms can be added to the filling.
- Garlic: Add a clove or two for a deeper, aromatic flavor.
- Cheese: If you love cheesy comfort food, adding a bit of shredded cheese (like cheddar) to the filling can elevate the dish.
This combination of ingredients creates a comforting meal that will make you feel like you’re wrapped in a warm blanket. It’s also perfect for those who are looking for ways to use Thanksgiving leftovers creatively.
In fact, Explore creative ways to use your Thanksgiving leftovers to make the most of all your holiday food.
How to Make Leftover Turkey and Ham Pot Pie
Now that we’ve gathered all our ingredients, let’s get into the step-by-step process of making this hearty comfort food pot pie. Follow along with these easy instructions to make your leftover turkey and ham pie.
1. Prepare the Vegetables
First, cook your vegetables. If you’re using frozen peas and carrots, just heat them up in a saucepan. Fresh vegetables like celery and onions will need to be sautéed in a bit of butter for a few minutes until they’re softened.
For a bit of extra flavor, you can sauté the onions with garlic. Once the vegetables are cooked, set them aside.
2. Make the Creamy Filling
In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Once it’s melted, add the flour to create a roux. Stir it constantly to avoid any lumps, and cook for about 1-2 minutes.
Next, gradually whisk in the chicken or turkey broth and milk. Keep stirring until the mixture thickens into a creamy sauce. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
Once the sauce is thick and creamy, add your leftover turkey and ham to the skillet. Mix them in with the vegetables. Season with salt, pepper, onion powder, and Italian seasoning. You can adjust these seasonings to taste, so feel free to experiment with flavors!
3. Assemble the Pie
Now that your filling is ready, it’s time to assemble the pie. Roll out your pie crust on a floured surface. Line a pie dish or skillet with one of the crusts. Spoon the turkey and ham filling into the crust. Make sure it’s evenly distributed.
Top the pie with the second pie crust and press the edges together to seal the pie. Cut a few slits on top of the crust to allow steam to escape while baking. This will help prevent your pie from becoming soggy.
4. Bake the Pot Pie
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pie in the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbling. If the crust begins to brown too quickly, you can cover the edges with foil to prevent burning.
Storage and Freezing Instructions
If you have leftovers (or if you want to prepare the pie ahead of time), storing or freezing your leftover turkey and ham pot pie is a great option.
Refrigeration:
Once the pie has cooled, cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through.
Freezing:
If you want to freeze the pie for later, it’s best to do so before baking. Assemble the pie and freeze it on a baking sheet for about 1-2 hours until firm. Once it’s frozen, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 4 months.
When you’re ready to bake the frozen pie, remove it from the freezer, and bake it at 375°F (190°C) for 45-55 minutes or until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbly.
If you prefer to freeze the filling separately before assembling the pie, you can do so in an airtight container for up to 4 months. Just thaw the filling overnight in the fridge and then assemble and bake as usual.
For more tips on how to store and freeze pot pie for later, check out this article from Thriving Home Blog.
Community Tips and Praise
The leftover turkey and ham pot pie recipe has been a hit with many home cooks, and here’s what some of them have to say:
- “This recipe was a game-changer! I had a bunch of leftover turkey and ham, and this was the perfect way to use them up. The crust was flaky, and the filling was so creamy! A new family favorite!” — Sarah M.
- “I added a bit of shredded cheddar cheese to the filling, and it was fantastic! This recipe is super versatile and can be adjusted to whatever veggies or seasonings you have.” — Tom W.
- “We made this as a family dinner after Thanksgiving, and it was so easy! I love that I could use up the leftovers without it feeling like a rehash of the holiday meal.” — Emily K.
One thing that stands out is how adaptable this recipe is. Whether you’re looking to use up turkey and ham from a holiday meal or just need a quick dinner option, this recipe can be customized to fit your taste. From changing the vegetables to adding a sprinkle of cheese, you can make it uniquely yours.
Conclusion
Leftover turkey and ham pot pie is more than just a way to use up leftovers—it’s a meal that brings comfort, flavor, and warmth to your kitchen. Whether you’re a busy parent, a culinary enthusiast, or just looking for a quick and satisfying dinner, this dish checks all the boxes. With its creamy filling, flaky pie crust, and hearty mix of turkey and ham, it’s the kind of meal that will make your family look forward to leftovers.
So the next time you find yourself with leftover turkey and ham, skip the sandwiches and give this comfort food pot pie a try. You can’t go wrong with a meal that’s as delicious as it is cozy!
For more recipes and culinary insights, be sure to browse more recipes on Recepies Fun.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I use store-bought pie crust for this recipe?
Absolutely! While making a homemade pie crust is great, store-bought flaky pie crust works just as well for this recipe. It saves time and still results in a delicious, golden crust.
2. Can I freeze this pie before baking?
Yes, you can freeze the pie before baking. Just assemble it, freeze it on a baking sheet, and once it’s firm, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and foil. It can stay in the freezer for up to 4 months.
3. Can I add other vegetables to the filling?
Yes, feel free to customize the vegetable mix. Corn, mushrooms, or even spinach would all make great additions to the filling.
4. How do I store leftover pot pie?
You can store leftover leftover turkey and ham pot pie in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. To reheat, just pop it in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
5. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Definitely! You can prepare the filling and store it in the refrigerator for a day or two. When you’re ready, just assemble the pie and bake it for a delicious, quick dinner.