This Creamy Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is the best way to use up all your holiday dinner leftovers. It’s loaded with turkey and veggies, then topped with mashed potatoes. The perfect comfort food!.
But I think we can all agree that the best day for leftovers is the day after Thanksgiving. And one of my favorite past times is dreaming up ways to use them.
It was clear that this Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, along with this Turkey Tetrazzini and this Turkey Noodle Soup, was the best.
It’s pretty smart, right? Just put in the turkey, gravy, vegetables, and potatoes from your holiday dinner, warm it up in the oven, and your tasty dinner is ready to go.
As a passionate home cook and recipe developer, one of my favorite ways to use up leftover turkey is in a hearty, savory shepherd’s pie topped with a luscious gravy. This comforting casserole truly makes the most of extra turkey vegetables mashed potatoes and gravy after the big feast. The combination of flavors and textures is so utterly satisfying on a chilly night. I can’t wait to share my tips and step-by-step method for assembling the ultimate turkey shepherd’s pie with gravy.
An Overview of Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Traditional shepherd’s pie consists of a lamb or beef stew-like filling topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked to perfection. My version uses shredded turkey in place of the meat, along with aromatics and vegetables, transforming it into a stellar way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. Turkey shepherd’s pie contains:
- Shredded or chopped cooked turkey
- Onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms
- Frozen green beans or other leftover veggies
- Garlic, parsley, sage and thyme
- Savory gravy for extra richness
- Fluffy mashed potatoes as the topping
The interplay of textures from the tender turkey, vegetables and fluffy spuds is so comforting The gravy adds even more cozy flavor It’s like a turkey pot pie meets Thanksgiving stuffing!
Benefits of Adding Gravy
What makes this shepherd’s pie extra special is finishing it with gravy. Adding gravy provides these benefits:
- Extra moisture that keeps the filling from drying out
- Savory, meaty flavor enhancing the turkey and vegetables
- Luscious texture and mouthfeel
- Rich notes from the cooked turkey drippings
- Gravy helps bind the filling together neatly so it slices well
- Provides gravy right in the pie so every bite includes it
Best Gravy for Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
The best gravy for turkey shepherd’s pie is homemade gravy using pan drippings from the roasted turkey. Scoop any leftover gravy from your Thanksgiving meal.
You can also use store-bought or jarred turkey gravy. Look for low-sodium varieties. For extra flavor, simmer the gravy with sautéed aromatics like onion, carrots, celery, mushrooms, garlic and herbs for 10-15 minutes before adding to the pie filling.
Tips for Leftover Mashed Potatoes
One of the easiest parts of assembling this comforting casserole is using leftover mashed potatoes. Here are my tips:
- Fluff up leftover mashed potatoes with a fork or mixer
- Stir in milk or cream if dried out
- For more flavor, mix in roasted garlic, cheese, sour cream, etc.
- Fold in an egg yolk and melted butter to enrich potatoes
- Top pie with potatoes and sprinkle extra cheese on top
- Create decorative ridges or peaks on the potato layer
Even better – bake the empty pie shell while prepping the filling, then top with hot mashed potatoes for a superior result.
Preparing the Filling
To make the savory turkey filling:
- Sauté onion, carrots, celery and mushrooms
- Stir in flour to thicken
- Whisk in turkey broth and gravy
- Cook until thickened, about 3 minutes
- Fold in shredded turkey and frozen green beans
- Season with parsley, sage, salt and pepper
The filling of turkey, vegetables and gravy mimics the classic shepherd’s pie flavor profile.
Assembling and Baking the Pie
To assemble turkey shepherd’s pie:
- Lightly grease a casserole dish
- Add filling and smooth into an even layer
- Top with leftover mashed potatoes
- Spread potatoes evenly and decorate the top
- Bake at 375°F until hot and bubbly, about 30 minutes
- Broil briefly until potatoes are crispy on top
Baking and broiling gives you the best of both worlds – hot, melty filling and irresistible, crisp, cheesy potatoes.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Both the mashed potatoes and filling can be prepared 1-2 days in advance. Keep refrigerated in separate containers until ready to bake.
For make-ahead ease, assemble the entire unbaked pie, wrap in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before baking. Add a bit more time to the baking if starting from frozen.
Serving Suggestions
I like to serve turkey shepherd’s pie with:
- A green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts
- Fresh baked rolls or bread
For easy weeknight meals, serve the pie with sautéed greens, a simple vinaigrette salad or roasted broccoli.
Leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for 2-3 days. Reheat individual slices in the microwave or oven. The gravy keeps the pie from drying out.
More Ways to Use Up Leftover Turkey
Along with turkey shepherd’s pie, here are a few other delicious ways to use up leftover turkey:
- Hearty turkey chili
- Turkey tetrazzini with noodles
- Turkey soup with veggies
- Turkey salad sandwiches
- Turkey enchiladas with green sauce
- Turkey skillet with rice or quinoa
With some creativity, you can enjoy your Thanksgiving turkey for days after the big feast is over! Try this cozy, comforting turkey shepherd’s pie with gravy today.
More Shepherd’s Pie Recipes to Try
Pin this recipe to save for later
How to Make Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Because it’s made with Thanksgiving leftovers, this pie is very simple. It only takes 10 minutes to prepare!
- Place the vegetables in a medium-sized oven-safe skillet. Melt the butter in it, then add the onion, carrot, and celery. Once it’s soft, add the garlic and cook for one more minute.
- To make the filling, add one more tablespoon of butter to the vegetables and mix them with flour and broth. Stir and cook until it gets thick, then add the peas and turkey and mix well. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme.
- Add the mashed potatoes: Put the mashed potatoes on top of the filling and then add the rest of the butter.
- Bake: Put the pie in the oven at 375oF for as long as the potatoes are warm.
EASY 30-Minute Ground Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe
FAQ
Does shepherd’s pie have gravy in it?
What can I use instead of broth in shepherd’s pie?
Why is my shepherd’s pie soggy?
Why is flour used in shepherds pie?
How do you cook a Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
Turkey shepherd’s pie is a perfect way to use leftover turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and delicious gravy. For a quick and easy weeknight meal, the whole family will love it. Heat a large oven-safe skillet (I use cast iron) on medium-high heat. Add butter, onion, celery, carrots salt, and pepper, and cook until soft about 3 minutes.
Is Turkey Shepherd’s Pie a good Thanksgiving recipe?
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie might not be the first recipe you think of for Thanksgiving, but Thanksgiving shepherd’s pie combines all the Thanksgiving flavors in one perfect bite, whether you make it as your main meal or to use up Thanksgiving leftovers! Watch my turkey dinner pie web story here.
How do you make a shepherd’s pie from leftovers?
Thanksgiving leftovers reinvented into a flavorful shepherd’s pie. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion, celery and carrots, cooking until onions are translucent. Add minced garlic, cooking for an additional minute.
Can you use ground turkey in a shepherd’s pie?
Use ground turkey: Similar to a traditional shepherd’s pie or cottage pie, you can use ground meat in this recipe—just cook it before using it! Swap in cooked ground turkey for the cubed turkey, then prepare the recipe as directed. You can also try this winter vegetable shepherd’s pie with ground turkey.
Do you need a shepherd’s pie for Thanksgiving?
Warm and filling, this “Thanksgiving shepherd’s” pie is brimming with Thanksgiving flavors. I realize that most turkeys and chickens do not require Shepherds, but please just go with it for the sake of the season and the mashed potatoes. Tried this recipe? Please give it a star rating! Would you like to save this post?
What to do with leftover Turkey Shepherd’s pie?
Whether you make this Thanksgiving Shepherd’s Pie for your main Thanksgiving meal as we did or use the remains of your turkey to make leftover turkey shepherd’s pie with stuffing crust the day after Thanksgiving, you’re going to love this versatile recipe. All the Thanksgiving flavors in bite after delicious bite!