Look forward to leftovers with this leftover Thanksgiving turkey pot pie recipe! This turkey pot pie is easy to assemble, a breeze to customize, freezer-friendly, and a hit with the family.
Leftover turkey is one of the best parts of the holidays! The Godfather makes an amazing smoked turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas – plus once or twice more during the year – just so we can enjoy leftovers. This easy pot pie recipe is one of our favorites because it’s high on the comfort food scale. It’s a perfect dish to prep, freeze, and bake on a chilly night.
Turkey pot pie is a beloved comfort food that many look forward to after the holidays. This hearty pie is made with tender turkey, vegetables, and a creamy sauce all tucked into a flaky crust. It’s the perfect way to use up leftover turkey. But can you freeze turkey pot pie to enjoy later? The answer is yes!
Freezing cooked turkey pot pie is an easy way to get more out your holiday bird and ingredients. Frozen pot pie will keep for months in the freezer, ready to bake whenever you get a craving. You can also prepare unbaked pot pies ahead of time and freeze them to bake fresh in the future.
Here is a complete guide to freezing and reheating turkey pot pie to keep this tasty meal on hand anytime
Is It Safe to Freeze Turkey Pot Pie?
Turkey pot pie can safely be frozen both before and after baking without compromising taste or texture. The filling ingredients including cooked turkey, vegetables cream sauce thickened with flour and the pie dough all hold up well in the freezer.
Freezing cooked pot pie allows you to
- Make ahead when you have time and simply bake later
- Portion into individual servings to grab and reheat anytime
- Stock up while you have an abundance of leftover turkey and fresh produce
Freezing unbaked pot pie gives you the flexibility to:
- Assemble pies in advance and bake as needed for fresh meals
- Customize fillings and crusts to please different tastes
- Bake just what you need when you need it
Either way, having frozen turkey pot pie on hand means you can enjoy a wholesome, homemade meal with minimal effort.
How to Freeze Unbaked Turkey Pot Pie
To freeze unbaked turkey pot pie:
- Make your filling and pour into a pie dish. Allow to cool completely.
- Top with your choice of pie dough and trim edges if needed for a good fit.
- Seal the crust to the pie dish by pressing down with a fork.
- Cut slits in the top crust to allow steam to escape during baking.
- Wrap the pie dish tightly first in plastic wrap, then foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Label with contents and freeze date and freeze up to 3 months.
When ready to bake, simply unwrap and bake the frozen pot pie straight from the freezer. Add 15-20 extra minutes to the recommended baking time and watch closely to prevent overbrowning. Let rest 10 minutes before serving for the best consistency.
How to Freeze Baked Turkey Pot Pie
To freeze already baked pot pies:
- Allow pies to completely cool after baking, about 1 hour.
- Cut into individual portions if desired to make reheating easier.
- Place servings in freezer bags or airtight containers, removing excess air.
- Label bags with contents and freeze date and use within 1-2 months for optimal freshness.
Cooked turkey pot pie leftovers freeze very well, maintaining moisture and flavor when properly stored. Portioning into single servings makes quick reheating a breeze.
Tips for Freezing Turkey Pot Pie
Follow these tips when freezing turkey pot pie for best quality:
- Use high quality, fresh ingredients when making the filling for best frozen results.
- Underfill pie crusts slightly to allow for expansion during freezing.
- Cool pot pies completely before wrapping well for the freezer.
- Double wrap pies in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn.
- Portion into individual servings for easy reheating anytime.
- Avoid overbaking frozen pot pies and cover with foil if browning too quickly.
How to Thaw Frozen Turkey Pot Pie
When ready to enjoy your frozen pot pie, you have several thawing options:
- Thaw overnight in the fridge
- Safest method that helps maintain texture. Place on a tray to catch drips.
- Thaw in the microwave
- Unwrap and defrost at 50% power, checking often to prevent hot spots.
- Thaw at room temperature
- Smaller pies may thaw in 1-2 hours on the counter. Only leave larger dishes out 1 hour before refrigerating to finish thawing.
- Bake frozen
- For unbaked pies, you can simply add extra baking time and bake straight from frozen.
Once thawed, turkey pot pie fillings can be reheated in the oven or microwave until hot and bubbly.
How to Reheat Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
To reheat thawed turkey pot pie leftovers:
Oven:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place pot pie portions in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil and bake 20-25 minutes until heated through.
- Remove foil last 5 minutes if you want a crispy top.
Microwave:
- Transfer thawed turkey pot pie to a microwave-safe dish, cover with vented plastic wrap or a damp paper towel.
- Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until hot throughout.
- Take care not to overheat. Let rest 2 minutes before eating.
The benefit of leftovers is you can reheat one portion at a time. Bake or microwave individual servings for quick, fresh meals anytime.
Alternative Ways to Freeze Turkey Pot Pie
In addition to freezing whole pot pies, you can also freeze fillings in creative ways:
- Portion fillings into a muffin tin, top with dough, freeze, and store baked pot pies in a bag.
- Spoon filling into freezer bags laid flat and bake into a crust later.
- Fill cupcake liners 3⁄4 full, top with another liner, freeze, and remove fillings to reheat.
These methods allow you to mix and match fillings and crusts to please any preference. Grab just what you need for an impromptu meal from the freezer.
Can You Refreeze Turkey Pot Pie?
It is not recommended to refreeze turkey pot pie after reheating as this poses safety risks. However, you can safely refreeze in these cases:
- Unbaked, thawed pot pie can be baked, cooled, and frozen again.
- Thawed leftovers can be incorporated into a new pot pie or casserole and frozen.
The key is not allowing fillings to sit at room temperature for extended periods between thawing, reheating, and refreezing.
Storing and Reheating Dos and Don’ts
Follow these dos and don’ts when freezing and reheating turkey pot pie:
Do:
- Cool pie completely before wrapping for freezer.
- Allow thawed pie to fully reheat before eating.
- Discard pie left over 2 hours at room temperature after thawing.
Don’t:
- Leave unbaked or baked pie at room temperature over 2 hours before freezing.
- Freeze in just plastic wrap or just foil – use both.
- Microwave frozen pie without unwrapping from foil.
- Refreeze thawed fillings more than once.
Enjoy Delicious Homemade Turkey Pot Pie
With proper freezing and reheating, you can enjoy flavorful turkey pot pie for months after preparing it. Make multiple pies when you have leftover turkey and freeze them to bake later for easy meals. Or bake a batch and freeze individual portions for quick lunches or dinners anytime.
Following these tips for freezing and reheating will keep your turkey pot pie tasting fresh and delicious. So relax knowing you have hearty, homemade comfort food waiting in your freezer!
How to make leftover turkey pot pie filling
I like to put a lot of fresh vegetables in the pie with the turkey. They add a nice flavor and then you don’t have any bites without a good bit of texture in the filling. Since carrots, celery, and onion are the base trifecta for most classic Thanksgiving recipes, that’s what I usually use in this recipe.
If you’d like to add other vegetables or even small diced potatoes, please do! Just keep in mind the final texture of the vegetable after baking. If you intend to freeze the pot pie, skip the potato. Potatoes can get a funny texture after freezing and thawing.
The filling is made in a skillet and then poured into your pie crust before baking. This recipe doesn’t use cornstarch, it’s a flour-based roux, and needs a little heat to thicken. Additionally, making the filling in a skillet allows you to adjust the seasoning to taste.
The spices I use in the pot pie vary. Sometimes I’ll add a little rosemary, other times extra garlic, thyme, and even tarragon have all made it into the mix. I provide a basic suggestion in the recipe, but in the notes, I’ll share a few variations we’ve made a couple of times each.
I used to be team always homemade pie crust. What girl doesn’t swoon over a good all-butter crust? But, real talk, on more than one occasion, I just haven’t made an extra set of pie crusts for this recipe.
So while you could absolutely use your favorite homemade pie crust recipe, using a refrigerated or frozen pre-made crust is a time saver!
If you are using a homemade pie crust recipe, make sure it isn’t one specifically designed for sweet pies. Most pie crust recipes are all-purpose and can be used for a sweet or savory filling. But I have come across some recipes that are specifically designed for sweet desserts.
Two really obvious examples would be something like cinnamon roll apple pie from Cake’s Cottage or the chocolate pie crust from my pecan slab pie.
Can I make individual pot pies?
Yes, you can! This recipe will make about a dozen individual pot pies. Make them using a cupcake tin. Just make sure that you have a little extra pie crust on hand since the crust to filling ratio is higher than for a 9-inch pie.
This is a great idea if you want to pack pot pies in lunchboxes or just have something individually portioned for easy reheating from the freezer.
EASY Turkey Pot Pie + FREEZER MEAL || What to make with Thanksgiving Leftovers!
FAQ
Can I freeze cooked turkey pie?
Yes, you can freeze turkey pot pie leftovers for up to four months. Thaw in the refrigerator and reheat in the microwave or in the oven.
How do you reheat a frozen turkey pot pie?
Unwrap the pot pie, and pop the frozen pot pie into the oven while cold and turn the oven on to 350 degrees F. Bake for 75-90 minutes until heated through and the pastry is golden, covering half way through baking if the top reaches desired color before the pot pie is heated through.
Is it better to freeze pot pies cooked or uncooked?
We suggest freezing your chicken pot pie filling unbaked. You can pre-cook it and then freeze and then re-bake to reheat, but if you do that, you may want to under-bake your pie crust just a little before you freeze.
Can you refreeze turkey pot pie?
No, it’s had some bacterial growth and refreezing doesn’t stop growth it just slows it down, in general it’s not a good idea to refreeze anything unless it still has the ice crystals in it.