There’s something so comforting and satisfying about a warm, hearty pie fresh from the oven, and this Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe is exactly that. It’s packed with tender turkey and rich vegetables enveloped in a flaky crust that’s just waiting to be devoured.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this isn’t your average pot pie—it strikes the perfect balance between a creamy, savory filling and a golden, tender crust. Every bite feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening, and it’s surprisingly easy to put together.
- Wholesome flavors: The use of fresh herbs like rosemary combined with smoked paprika really elevates the savory filling.
- Texture harmony: Soft sweet potatoes and russet potatoes add just the right contrast to the tender turkey and crisp crust.
- One-pan convenience: You cook and bake right in a deep 10” skillet, reducing cleanup and making things easier.
- Customizable: You can adjust veggies or spices based on what you have on hand, which I love for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe lies in its fresh, thoughtfully paired ingredients. Each element plays a role: hearty potatoes for a silky texture, rosemary for aromatic depth, and that homemade crust that wraps everything in buttery goodness. When shopping, try to pick firm, fresh veggies and great-quality broth to make your filling shine.
- All-purpose flour: Essential for both the crust and the roux in the filling, giving structure and thickening power.
- Unsalted butter: Cold butter makes the crust flaky, and melted butter adds richness to the filling's base.
- Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and moisture to the crust, enhancing tenderness.
- Onion: Softens and sweetens as it cooks, forming the savory foundation of the filling.
- Fresh rosemary: This fragrant herb brings the filling to life with its piney, woodsy notes.
- Smoked paprika: Adds smoky warmth and a gentle color hint.
- Chicken broth: Creates a flavorful liquid base; homemade or low-sodium store-bought are both good picks.
- Heavy cream: Enriches the filling with creaminess and smooth texture.
- Sweet potatoes & russet potatoes: Both lend different textures and earthiness, complementing the turkey perfectly.
- Carrots: Add subtle sweetness and color contrast.
- Shredded turkey: The star ingredient—leftover roast turkey or rotisserie turkey works wonderfully.
- Frozen corn & green beans: Bring bursts of sweet and fresh flavor; no need to thaw before adding.
- Egg: Used as a wash to give the crust a beautiful golden shine.
Make It Your Way
I love tweaking the filling to suit what’s in my fridge or my mood. You can swap the veggies or add a pinch more spice to make this pot pie feel uniquely yours. Personally, I’ve tried adding sautéed mushrooms for earthiness or even a few dashes of hot sauce if I’m craving some heat.
- Variation: One time, I swapped green beans with peas and swapped the chicken broth for turkey broth that I had simmering. It packed extra flavor and made the pot pie even cozier.
- Vegetarian twist: You can easily leave out the turkey and boost the veggies with extra mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and beans for a hearty vegetarian version.
- Gluten-free option: Try a gluten-free flour blend for the crust and use cornstarch or arrowroot powder to thicken the filling instead of regular flour.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
Step 1: Whip up the flaky crust
First, I pulse together the flour and salt in my food processor, then scatter the cold butter pieces on top. Pulsing until I see coarse crumbs is key—they shouldn't be too fine or too chunky. Adding sour cream and pulsing just a couple more times brings the dough together. Then I form it into a disk, wrap it up, and let it chill while I work on the filling. Chilling is crucial—it keeps the butter cold so your crust turns out deliciously flaky.
Step 2: Build the savory filling
I melt the butter in my deep 10” skillet and gently cook the onions until they’re translucent, filling the kitchen with that sweet aroma I love. Then I stir in the flour, rosemary, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper, whisking until smooth. Letting the flour toast just a bit gives the filling a subtle nuttiness that you don’t want to skip.
Gradually, I add in the chicken broth and heavy cream, whisking constantly so no lumps form. Next come the diced sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, and carrots. I bring it all to a gentle boil and cook until the veggies are tender—testing with a fork is the easiest way to tell. Finally, I stir in the shredded turkey, corn, and green beans, then remove the pan from heat.
Step 3: Assemble and bake to golden perfection
Rolling out the chilled dough to about 12 inches round, I carefully place it right on top of the filling in the skillet. Instead of draping it over the edges, I press the crust against the inside walls of the skillet to avoid tears. Cutting a few slits in the top helps steam escape, and brushing it with beaten egg gives the crust that irresistible golden gleam. Pro tip: I place a foil-lined baking sheet under the skillet to catch any drips while it bakes at 400°F for 30 minutes.
Top Tip
From my countless pot pie attempts, I’ve learned a few tips that make all the difference between a good and a great pie. Here’s what helps me nail this Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe every single time.
- Keep butter cold for the crust: When the butter stays cold, it doesn't fully melt while baking, resulting in those flaky layers we all love.
- Don’t rush thickening the filling: Toast the flour a bit before adding liquid—it deepens the flavor and prevents a raw flour taste.
- Cut uniform vegetable pieces: This ensures they cook evenly and the texture isn't off when serving.
- Use a slotted spoon to test potatoes: Testing doneness without mashing ensures the veggies keep their shape inside the pot pie.
How to Serve Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a little fresh chopped parsley or thyme right after baking—just to add that fresh pop of green and some aromatic brightness. Sometimes a small dollop of sour cream on the side complements the richness nicely.
Side Dishes
This pie is pretty hearty on its own, but I love pairing it with a simple mixed green salad with a light vinaigrette to balance out the richness. Roasted Brussels sprouts or a crisp cucumber salad are other favorites when I want to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve used mini tart pans to make individual Turkey Pot Pies with Savory Filling Recipe—cute for guests or a cozy dinner for two. Another fun idea is to top the crust with cut-out shapes—leaves or turkey silhouettes—to make the presentation extra festive.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, I cover my leftover Turkey Pot Pie with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps beautifully for up to 5 days, and honestly tastes even better the next day as the flavors meld. Just warm it gently before serving.
Freezing
I’ve frozen both the unbaked and fully baked pot pies. For unbaked, I freeze wrapped tightly in plastic and foil, then pop it straight into the oven from frozen—just add extra baking time. For fully baked, I thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently in the oven for best results.
Reheating
Reheating in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes keeps the crust crisp and the filling nice and hot. I avoid microwaving if I want to preserve the texture, but it works in a pinch. Cover loosely with foil if the crust starts browning too much during reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Leftover turkey is perfect here, and if you don’t have turkey, shredded cooked chicken works just as well. It’s a great way to use up your roasted poultry and prevent food waste.
To keep your crust from getting soggy, make sure the filling isn’t too liquidy before you add the dough. Also, brushing the crust with beaten egg before baking helps it create a moisture barrier while baking. Baking the pie in a hot oven and on a foil-lined baking sheet helps too.
Yes! For a dairy-free version, use a dairy-free butter substitute and swap heavy cream for coconut cream or a thick plant-based cream alternative. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious and comforting.
The best way is to pierce the sweet potatoes and carrots with a fork—they should be tender but not mushy. This usually takes about 10 minutes simmering in the filling. Cooking the veggies thoroughly upfront ensures the filling has the perfect texture after baking.
Final Thoughts
I can honestly say this Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe quickly became a family favorite in my house. It’s comfort food at its finest—rich, hearty, and full of flavor that warms both the body and soul. I hope you give it a try and find it as rewarding and delicious as I do. There’s something so special about gathering around a golden pot pie made from scratch, and I can’t wait for you to enjoy that magic in your kitchen, too.
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Turkey Pot Pie with Savory Filling Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A comforting and hearty Turkey Pot Pie recipe featuring a flaky homemade crust filled with a savory mixture of shredded turkey, sweet potatoes, russet potatoes, carrots, and frozen vegetables in a creamy rosemary and smoked paprika sauce. Perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Pie Crust
- 1 cup (125 g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) very cold unsalted butter cubed
- ¼ cup (57 g) sour cream
- 1 large egg well-beaten (to brush over the pie crust before baking)
Turkey Pot Pie Filling
- 6 Tablespoons (85 g) unsalted butter
- ½ cup (79 g) diced onion
- 6 Tablespoons (47 g) flour
- 2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary (or ½ teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon table salt
- 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 cups (473 ml) chicken broth
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- 1 ½ cups (315 g) sweet potatoes peeled and diced into pieces smaller than 1"
- 1 cup (215 g) russet potatoes peeled and diced into pieces smaller than 1"
- ½ cup chopped carrots (about 2 carrots)
- 3 cups (445 g) shredded turkey
- 1 cup (140 g) frozen sweet corn
- 1 cup (110 g) frozen green beans
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the pot pie.
- Prepare Pie Crust: In a food processor, pulse together 1 cup all-purpose flour and ½ teaspoon salt. Add 6 tablespoons cold unsalted butter cubed and pulse until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add ¼ cup sour cream and pulse until dough starts clumping. Form dough into a smooth disk, wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing filling.
- Cook Filling Base: Melt 6 tablespoons unsalted butter in a deep oven-safe 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add ½ cup diced onion and cook until softened and translucent, stirring frequently.
- Add Flour and Spices: Stir in 6 tablespoons flour, 2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk continuously until smooth and cook for 30 seconds more to lightly toast the flour.
- Add Liquids: Gradually whisk in 2 cups chicken broth and ½ cup heavy cream to form a smooth sauce.
- Cook Vegetables: Add 1 ½ cups diced sweet potatoes, 1 cup diced russet potatoes, and ½ cup chopped carrots. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently, and cook until vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Add Turkey and Frozen Veggies: Reduce heat to low and stir in 3 cups shredded turkey, 1 cup frozen sweet corn, and 1 cup frozen green beans until well combined. Remove from heat.
- Assemble Pot Pie: Roll out chilled pie dough into an even 12-inch circle. Carefully lay the crust over the filling in the skillet, pressing the edges against the inside of the pan. Cut several slits in the crust for steam release.
- Brush and Bake: Lightly brush the crust with the well-beaten egg. Place skillet on a foil-lined baking sheet to catch drips and bake in the center of the oven at 400°F for 30 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from oven carefully and let sit for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your homemade turkey pot pie!
Notes
- You may use any unbaked pie crust for this recipe, although homemade is preferred for best flavor and texture.
- If you don't have a deep 10-inch skillet, you can prepare the filling in any suitably sized dish and transfer it to a deep 10-inch pie plate before covering with crust and baking.
- To prevent spills while baking, place the baking pan on a foil-lined baking sheet.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
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