To keep things simple, this turkey pot pie recipe uses a cast iron pan and a little cream cheese. Bursting with gourmet flavors and crisp vegetables, this pot pie recipe is ultimate comfort food.
Are you someone who looks forward to the turkey leftovers more than the actual meal? If so, this turkey pot pie recipe is perfect for you! It has all the best comfort food flavors, but it doesn’t taste like Thanksgiving all over again because it uses some different ingredients.
As the leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner start piling up in the fridge, it can be challenging to come up with creative ways to use them up. Enter the cast iron turkey pot pie – the perfect way to transform your leftover turkey into a hearty, comforting new meal. This classic pot pie is so easy to make, especially when cooked in a trusty cast iron skillet.
Below is everything you need to know to make the best cast iron turkey pot pie and become a leftover turkey master.
An Overview of Cast Iron Turkey Pot Pie
A pot pie is a baked dish that consists of a filling sealed under a pastry crust. Turkey pot pies are a popular way to repurpose leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas into an easy delicious meal. The turkey meat is combined with vegetables broth, herbs and spices to create a savory stew-like filling. This filling is then poured into a cast iron skillet or baking dish and topped with a pie crust before being baked to golden brown perfection.
Cooking the pot pie in a preheated cast iron skillet allows the crust to get deliciously crispy and browned, Cast iron also does a great job of distributing heat evenly to the bottom crust,
Two Classic Turkey Pot Pie Recipes
Here are two highly rated recipes for making turkey pot pie in a cast iron skillet:
Easy Homemade Turkey Pot Pie
This straightforward recipe from Savoring Italy only requires a handful of simple ingredients. It calls for cooked turkey, onion, carrots, celery, peas, fresh thyme, flour, broth, cream and a double pie crust.
Everything is cooked right in the cast iron skillet for easy one-pan preparation. After sautéing the veggies, a simple creamy sauce is made with the broth, flour and cream. The turkey and veggies are added back to the sauce before the top crust is put in place.
Key Features:
- Classic flavor profile
- Easy to make with common ingredients
- Cooked entirely in one cast iron skillet
- Flaky double crust
Turkey Pot Pie with Sweet Potatoes
This recipe from Sugar Spun Run has a seasonal twist with the addition of sweet potatoes and fresh rosemary. Along with potato, corn, turkey, onion and green beans, the sweet potatoes add natural sweetness. Smoked paprika and rosemary provide a uniquely delicious flavor.
The homemade crust is also baked right in the cast iron skillet for easy one-pan baking. Feel free to customize the veggie mixture to suit your taste.
Key Features:
- Unique flavor from smoked paprika and rosemary
- Natural sweetness from sweet potatoes
- Hearty combination of vegetables
- Satisfying homemade pie crust
- Customizable ingredients
Tips for Making Cast Iron Turkey Pot Pie
Follow these tips for pot pie success:
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Use high-quality ingredients for optimal flavor
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Cut veggies into small, uniform pieces for even cooking
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Don’t overcook the vegetables – keep them al dente
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Allow the pie to cool slightly before serving so the filling can set
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Place a baking sheet under the skillet to catch any drips
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Brush the top crust with egg wash or melted butter for a golden sheen
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Cover the edges of the pie crust with foil to prevent over-browning
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For a flaky crust, keep the ingredients cold and don’t over-mix
Frequently Asked Questions About Turkey Pot Pie
What size cast iron skillet should I use?
A 10-inch cast iron skillet is ideal for most turkey pot pie recipes. An 8-inch pan would also work for smaller pies.
Can I prepare the pot pie in advance?
Yes! The unbaked pie can be assembled 1-2 days in advance and refrigerated until ready to bake. Let it sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before baking.
What’s the best way to reheat leftover pot pie?
Cover slices with foil and reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until hot in the center. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.
What kind of pie crust works best?
A double crust is traditional, but puff pastry or biscuit dough would also be delicious. Use any pre-made or homemade dough you prefer.
Can I substitute different proteins or vegetables?
Absolutely! Chicken, beef or veggie pot pies are common. Swap any veggies to customize the filling to your taste.
Enjoy Comfort in a Cast Iron Skillet
Now that you’re armed with two easy cast iron turkey pot pie recipes, you have no excuse to let those Thanksgiving leftovers go to waste. With simple prep, everyday ingredients, and convenient one-pan baking, you’ll have a hearty meal the whole family will love. Put that cast iron skillet to work and whip up some comfort food magic.
Can You Freeze Turkey Pot Pie?
Whether you make it with turkey or chicken, pot pie is one of the ultimate comfort foods. It takes a little more time to make than most people want to spend however. Don’t worry about making this pot pie again; you can freeze it to save time and use up extra turkey. In parts.
Since most of us don’t have extra cast iron skillets lying around, you can focus on the part that takes the most time: the filling.
With a lid, the filling can be kept in the freezer for up to 6 months after it has cooled completely. The day before you want to use it, let it thaw in the fridge. Then, heat it up a little in the cast iron pan before adding the top crust.
Spread the cold filling out in the pan’s bottom and then put it in the oven. The filling may become dry because it frozen. When you heat it up, you can make any changes you want by adding more chicken broth or cream to the turkey mixture. Then slap on that crust and bake according to the recipe.
What Is In Turkey Pot Pie?
Turkey pot pie is a smattering of all of the most delicious flavors put together. The filling is full of onions, celery, peas, and carrots that are cooked down into a tasty gravy. A pie crust is put on top and the whole thing is baked until it’s golden brown.
This turkey pot pie recipe is elevated with additional gourmet ingredients like white wine and fresh rosemary. These give the dish a sophisticated taste that makes it stand out while still keeping its comfort food vibes.
For this one, which is made in a cast iron skillet instead of a baking dish, there are a lot of different ways to make it.
