Lindy's Homemade Turkey Pot Pie is such comfort food with its rich flavorful filling and tender crust. Better than Swansons.
The making of Lindy's Homemade Turkey Pot Pie
Remember Swanson Turkey Pot Pies?
They were filled with juice and not a whole lot else. Lindy's Homemade Turkey Pot Pie is so much better, filled with vegetables, chunks of turkey, all surrounded by a delicious sauce and topped with the oh, so desired crust. Honestly, when I made these, my son said he wished he had another stomach so he could eat more of it.
He really did.
Ah, what a feeling to nurture and feed the soul of a teenager. Nothing like it.
LindySez: "Even if you don’t have any left-over turkey, I would say, go buy some leg/thigh combo pieces* and make this anyway, it's that good"
My husband said it might be the BEST comfort food I’ve made him in years! OK…that might have been a slight exaggeration since I just made some pretty darn good Mac n Cheese … but I’ll take it as the compliment it was intended to be…
So, even if you don’t have any left-over turkey, I would say, go buy some leg/thigh combo pieces* and make this anyway.
It’s that good. Really
Video of how to make Homemade Turkey Pot Pie
Update - Remade
I made these a few times since this video was made, using a proper individual pie dish, and with my own favorite pie crust and they were again, so delicious, but looked even better.
One recipe of Lindy's Favorite Pie Crust is the perfect amount to make 4 crusts over a 6-inch crock or pie dish. After making the crust, simply divide the dough into 4 equal pieces, roll into balls, and then roll out, just slightly larger than the top of your crock. If you purchase a premade pie crust or frozen crust, you may need to buy two as they don't roll out as well as a freshly made crust.
So Freezable
Since our son is now grown, graduated, with a job, living on his own, I don't have to feed his tummy anymore. That gives me extra pies for the freezer. Lindy's Homemade Turkey Pot Pie freezes really well.
To freeze, cover the uncooked pies with foil, then wrap tightly in plastic wrap - stick in the freezer. When you are ready to reheat, set the oven to 375ºF, remove the plastic wrap, and place the pies, still covered in foil, on a cookie sheet in the middle of the oven.
No need to defrost. Cook for 30 minutes, then remove the foil, increase the oven to 400ºF and continue to cook for another 30 - 35 minutes, or until the insides are hot and bubbly and the crust is nicely browned.
Since you already did the work, this makes for a super easy dinner!
Lindy's Homemade Turkey Pot Pie
Ingredients
- 1 recipe Lindy's Favorite Pie Crust or store-bought
- For the filling:
- 2 cups cooked turkey or roasted chicken torn into bite-sized pieces (I find that tearing the meat, rather than dicing it helps the sauce “cling” better) use all dark, all white, or combo, as you wish
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil or as needed
- 1 ½ cups diced onion I use yellow onions
- 1 cup sliced leek optional, but really adds good flavor, if you omit this, you might want to go with 2 cups of onion
- 1 cup diced carrot peeled or not (but peeled is prettier)
- 1 cup sliced celery sliced about ¼ inch thick, use some leaves in this too, great flavor
- 1 cup green beans sliced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups diced red potatoes with skin
- ¾ cup frozen peas not thawed
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon or dried optional
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley there is no proper dried substitute
- 12 mushrooms cut into quarters (optional for me, required for the husband)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (to fry the mushrooms, but you don’t need this if you are not using the mushrooms)
- 2 tablespoons dry white wine again, for the mushrooms, so if not using, then I got no use for this
- For the Sauce:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 2 cups homemade or low-sodium chicken stock
- ½ to ¾ cup heavy cream I used it ALL
- 1 – 2 tablespoons dry sherry again, optional, but it really mellows out the flavors, so I recommend if you have some, use some if you don’t…well then…never mind
- Special Equipment: Ovenproof crocks or another vehicle to put the filling into top with crust and bake…
- Note: If you don't have left-over turkey buy two leg/thigh combos; season with salt and pepper; cover and bake for about 1 ½ hours. Then proceed with the recipe as written using any broth left in the pan as a part of the sauce
Instructions
- Heat oven to 400º F.If using frozen pie crust, thaw. Cut into rounds just slightly larger than your crock, or pie tins. Set-aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat, add the onions and leek, saute until tender (do not brown, keep the heat low enough to just allow them to sizzle slightly); about 5 minutes, add the carrot, celery, green beans, and potatoes, saute for about 5 minutes; add the peas and ½ cup of the chicken stock, cook for 10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender, but still firm. Stir in salt and pepper, to taste, along with the herbs. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- (If making the mushrooms) While the veggies are cooking, in a separate saute pan, heat the butter over medium heat, add the mushrooms and saute for about 10 minutes, adding some oil if needed. When the mushrooms are tender, add the wine and allow to cook off until the pan is dry. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Make the Roux: In a saucepan, heat the butter, when melted, whisk in the flour; add a pinch of salt and freshly ground pepper; cook and whisk until the roux is lightly browned; then add the chicken stock; cook until thickened, then add the cream and sherry. Cook for 5 minutes or until fairly thick. Taste and adjust seasonings. Pour the roux into the veggies; add the turkey meat and cook until heated through.
- Assemble: Spoon the veggie/turkey mixture into your cooking vehicles. Add mushrooms to those who love them. Mix slightly. Top with the crusts. Cut vent holes; place on a cookie sheet and put in oven for 30 to 35 minutes or until bubbly with browned luscious crusts. Remove from oven and serve so they burn your mouth (just kidding – allow to settle for about 5 minutes, they will still be very hot!) Break the crust into the filling and enjoy!
Notes
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