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    Cooking Gorgeous » Recipes » British Food

    Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

    Published: Oct 4, 2022 by Ayla Clulee · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe

    This easy Turkey Shepherd's Pie recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover Turkey meat from Thanksgiving or Christmas roast dinner.

    It is comforting, full of flavor, and very easy to make - a great casserole dish for cold fall and winter nights.

    Turkey shepherd's pie baked in an oven dish
    Jump to:
    • What Is Traditional Shepherd's Pie
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Ingredients You'll Need
    • How to Make Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie?
    • Top Tips From the Chef
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Recipe Variations
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Related Recipes
    • Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

    Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie is very similar to my Easy Cottage Pie and is a perfect way to use up leftover Pomme Purée(Creamy Mashed Potatoes), Swede and Carrot Mash, and turkey gravy as well as Oven Roasted Turkey.

    You can easily replace leftover turkey meat with chicken, lamb, or beef, it will still be delicious!

    a portion of turkey shepherd pie served with steamed vegetables

    What Is Traditional Shepherd's Pie

    Shepherd's Pie is British comfort food consisting of ground lamb and vegetables cooked in a rich brown gravy, topped with creamy mashed potatoes, and then baked until golden and crusty.

    Classic Shepherd's Pie made with beef is called Cottage Pie and they both can be made either freshly minced or chopped from cooked leftover meat.

    Why This Recipe Works

    • This recipe is the perfect way to use up some Thanksgiving leftovers such as turkey meat from Slow Roasted Turkey Leg, or Pomme Purée (Creamy Mashed Potatoes), roasted garlic, Swede and Carrot Mash, and turkey gravy.
    • Turkey Shepherd's Pie is not only hearty, delicious, and comforting but is also healthy and low in calories. 1 portion of this casserole dish contains only 492 kcal.
    • This casserole dish is very easy to make, ready in 40 minutes, and loved by everyone!

    Ingredients You'll Need

    Please scroll down to the recipe card below for the full ingredients list with measurements, complete recipe method, recipe notes, and nutritional information.

    Turkey Filling

    Labelled picture of ingredients for turkey Shepherd's pie filling
    • Turkey meat - You can use any part of the bird, dark, white, or a mixture. Finely chop them into small pieces.
    • Mushroom - Although it is not a traditional ingredient for Shepherd's pie, it adds a great flavor and texture! I use whatever mushroom is available in my fridges such as chestnut mushrooms, button mushrooms, or a mixture of wild mushrooms.
    • Onions - Any type of onions including shallots would work for this recipe.
    • Celery - It adds flavor depth to meals, especially soups, sauces, and casseroles.
    • Carrots - I like the aroma, texture, and color it adds to the dishes as well as nutrition.
    • Garlic - I use roasted garlic left from roasting the turkey but you can substitute it with finely chopped fresh garlic cloves.
    • Stock - I use chicken broth or stock if I don't have any leftover turkey gravy. They both work great with this recipe.

    Mashed Potato Topping

    Labelled picture of ingredients for mashed potatoes to top turkey shepherd's pie
    • Potatoes - The best potatoes for fluffy, smooth, and flavorsome mashed potatoes are the ones with higher starch such as Maris Piper, Red Russets, Desire, or King Edward.
    • Double cream - It is similar to heavy cream. You can substitute it with full-fat milk, single cream, or sour cream. If you want to omit it, add extra butter to your mashed potatoes.
    • Butter - It helps make the starchy texture of potatoes richer and adds loads of flavor. 
    • Egg yolks - They add creaminess and flavor to the mashed potatoes and also give some golden brown color to the top layer. 
    • Cheddar cheese - Everything tastes better with a bit of extra cheese added. You can use any hard cheese such as parmesan, Comte, or Gruyère.

    How to Make Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie?

    This is a very easy recipe and you need to follow a few simple steps to achieve the best results :

    Prepare the Pie Filling

    Heat a heavy-based pan or a wok on medium heat and add olive oil.

    When the oil is hot enough, add the diced onions and sauté for a few minutes, until soft and slightly browned.

    Sautéing the onions in a wok

    Add the garlic and quickly sauté for 30 seconds before adding the carrots and the celery.

    sautéing the carrots, garlic and celery

    Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes until they slightly change color, and then add the mushrooms.

    Sautéing the mushrooms

    Cook the mushrooms until softened, for about 2-3 minutes, and then add the turkey meat.

    adding the turkey meat to sautéed vegetables

    Give the pan a good stir and then add the flour, thyme, salt, and freshly ground pepper.

    flour, thyme and seasoning are added to the wok

    Add the stock or the gravy, mix well, and let the mixture simmer for five minutes.

    the stock is added to the mixture

    Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the turkey mixture into a baking dish or pie dish.

    the pie filling is transferred to a pie dish

    Prepare the Potato Topping

    Preheat the oven to 180° C - 360° F (fan oven).

    Peel the potatoes and cut them into equal chunks.

    Place them in a medium saucepan with plenty of cold water.

    The potatoes are peeled, cut and placed in a pan filled with cold water

    Put the pan on medium heat and bring it to a boil, bring the heat down, and let the potatoes gently simmer for about 20 minutes or until soft.

    Drain well and return the potatoes back to the pan.

    Put the pan back on low heat and let all the water evaporate for 30 seconds then remove them from the heat.

    The cooked potatoes are on a colander

    Add the double cream, butter, salt, and pepper.

    Mash the potatoes by using a potato masher or a ricer until smooth.

    mashing the potatoes with cream and butter

    Add the cheese and egg yolks and give it a quick stir to combine.

    Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the pie filling and cover completely.

    Fluff the top by using a fork for extra crispiness.

    turkey filling is topped with mashed potatoes

    Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

    turkey shepherd's pie is baked until golden and crispy

    Top Tips From the Chef

    • Always start cooking the potatoes with cold water for even cooking. If you put your potatoes in boiling water, the outside will be mashy and start to flake while the core is still uncooked.
    • Let the pie filling cool down for 30 minutes before adding the mashed potatoes to avoid them sinking in the meat sauce.
    • Leftover meat from Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken or Rice Stuffed Chicken also works great with this recipe.
    • Add ¼ cup extra chicken stock or turkey gravy if you want your pie filling soupier.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve this hearty casserole dish along with some Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts, Swede and Carrot Mash, Baked Cheesy Cauliflower, Beetroot and Feta Salad, or/and some steamed green beans or broccoli.

    Also, the tartness of cranberry sauce pairs wonderfully with the savory flavors of the pie, adding a burst of sweetness to each bite.

    Crusty Little Caesars Italian Cheese Bread or Homemade Sourdough Dinner Rolls are great for mopping up any leftover gravy or filling.

    turkey shepherd pie portioned and served

    Recipe Variations

    • Swap the traditional mashed potato topping for creamy mashed sweet potatoes. Add a touch of cinnamon and brown sugar to the sweet potato mash for a hint of sweetness.
    • Add crispy bacon pieces and frozen peas to the turkey filling for a smoky flavor. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the mashed potatoes before baking.
    • Use ground lean turkey meat, ground chicken, or ground beef instead of leftover Thanksgiving turkey.
    • Season leftover turkey with aromatic Indian spices like garam masala and cumin. Top with a layer of mashed potatoes infused with turmeric and garnish with chopped cilantro.

    Recipe FAQs

    How to store the leftover turkey pie?

    The leftovers would be kept for up to five days when refrigerated in an airtight container.

    Can you freeze Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie?

    Yes, you can freeze this delicious turkey pie before or after baking it. In both cases, thaw it overnight before baking.

    Can I prepare this dish beforehand?

    Yes, you can prepare this pie up to two days in advance. Just cover and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

    Related Recipes

    For more delicious Thanksgiving recipes why not try:

    • rice stuffed roasted chicken recipe
      Rice Stuffed Chicken
    • Perfect Roast Turkey Recipe - Easy Method
    • Cranberry Sauce with Orange Juice
    • Individual Salmon en Croute

    Did you make this recipe? Please let me know how it turned out! Leave a comment below and tag @cookingorgeous on Instagram and hashtag it #cookingorgeous.

    I hope you enjoy the process of making this delicious Turkey Shepherd's Pie as much as you enjoy eating it! 🙂

    Bon appétit! / Afiyet Olsun! 

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    Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

    Ayla Clulee
    This Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover Turkey meat from Thanksgiving or Christmas roast dinner.
    5 from 6 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, british, Western
    Servings 4 people
    Calories 492 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 kitchen scale
    • 1 measuring spoons
    • 1 Potato Masher
    • 1 pie dish 10"

    Ingredients
     
     

    For The Pie Filling

    • 1 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 large onion (diced)
    • 2 clove garlic (finely chopped)
    • 1 large carrot (diced)
    • 2 sticks celery (diced)
    • 200 g button or chestnut mushrooms (sliced)
    • 400 g leftover turkey meat (diced)
    • ½ tablespoon plain flour
    • 2 sprigs thyme (finely chopped)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 cup leftover turkey gravy or chicken stock

    For The Mashed Potatoes

    • 400 g floury potatoes (desire, russet or maris piper)
    • 50 ml double cream or heavy cream
    • 15 g butter
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 30 g grated cheddar
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

    Instructions
     

    Preparing The Pie Filling

    • Heat a heavy-based pan or a wok on medium heat and add olive oil.
    • When the oil is hot enough, add the onions and sauté for a few minutes, until soft and slightly browned.
    • Add the garlic and quickly sauté for 30 seconds before adding the carrots and the celery.
    • Sauté the vegetables for a few minutes until they slightly change color, and then add the mushrooms.
    • Cook the mushrooms until softened, for about 2-3 minutes, and then add the turkey meat.
    • Give the pan a good stir and then add the flour, thyme, salt, and freshly ground pepper.
    • Add the stock or the gravy, mix well and let the mixture simmer for five minutes.
    • Remove the pan from the heat and transfer the pie filling into a pie dish.

    Preparing The Potato Topping

    • Preheat the oven to 180° C - 360° F (fan oven).
    • Peel the potatoes and cut them into equal chunks. Place them in a saucepan with plenty of cold water.
    • Put the pan on medium heat and bring to a boil, bring the heat down, and let the potatoes gently simmer for about 20 minutes or until soft.
    • Drain well and return the potatoes back to the pan. Put the pan back on low heat and let all the water evaporate for 30 seconds then remove them from the heat.
    • Add the double cream, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash the potatoes by using a masher or a ricer until smooth.
    • Add the cheese and egg yolks and give it a quick stir to combine.
    • Spoon the mashed potatoes on top of the pie filling and cover completely. Fluff the top by using a fork for extra crispiness.
    • Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes until the top turns golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

    Notes

    • Always start cooking the potatoes with cold water for even cooking. If you put your potatoes in boiling water, the outside will be mashy and start to flake while the core is still uncooked.
    • Let the pie filling cool down for 30 minutes before adding the mashed potatoes to avoid them sinking in the meat sauce.
    • Leftover roast chicken work also great with this recipe.
    • Add ¼ cup extra chicken stock or turkey gravy if you want your pie filling soupier.
    • The leftovers would keep for up to five days when refrigerated in an airtight container.
    • You can prepare this pie up to two days in advance. Just cover and keep it refrigerated until ready to bake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 492kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 34gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 174mgSodium: 968mgPotassium: 1345mgFiber: 6gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4144IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 158mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cookingorgeous or tag #cookingorgeous!

    This post uses affiliate links. This means that if you click on them and then buy something, we get a small amount of commission to keep the site running, but it doesn’t cost you anything more.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Nancy

      October 30, 2022 at 5:37 am

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness! So delicious! My husband thanks you for this wonderful recipe!

      Reply
    2. Diane

      November 26, 2022 at 2:18 pm

      5 stars
      I just made this recipe with the leftover turkey from thanksgiving dinner and OMG, it was delicious! Thank you!

      Reply
    3. Heather Bradley

      December 28, 2023 at 11:36 pm

      5 stars
      Absolutely delicious! Super easy to follow and felt good using all the leftovers from Christmas Day! Thanks Ayla

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        December 29, 2023 at 5:02 am

        My pleasure! I am so glad you liked it Heather.

        Reply
    4. Sheri Fox

      November 19, 2024 at 12:05 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is really good, adding the gravy is brilliant, so much flavour! A cup of Jack cheese on top made it so golden and crispy, delicious!

      Reply
      • Ayla Clulee

        November 19, 2024 at 12:11 pm

        I’m so happy you loved it! Adding Jack cheese sounds like an amazing idea 😊

        Reply
    5. Kristie

      December 25, 2024 at 5:32 am

      5 stars
      Came out great! Definitely doing this every time!

      Reply
    5 from 6 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Welcome to Cooking Gorgeous, where delicious easy-to-follow recipes and culinary inspiration await you! My name is Ayla Clulee, a passionate and professional Cordon Bleu-trained chef, recipe developer, and food content creator with decades of experience. I am based in the UK, and I'm thrilled to have you here.

    The kitchen is my happy place and cooking is my therapy.

    More about me →

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