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.
Obviously this Turkey Shepherd’s Pie was at the top of the list (along with this Turkey Tetrazzini and this Turkey Noodle Soup).
I mean, it’s kind of brilliant right? Toss in pretty much everything you’ve got from your holiday dinner (turkey, gravy, veggies, potatoes), then throw it in the oven to warm it up and your delicious dinner is ready to go.
The holidays often leave us with wonderful leftovers like turkey, gravy, veggies and potatoes. But after a few rounds of sandwiches, you may be looking for new ways to repurpose those leftovers. Enter: turkey shepherd’s pie. This comfort food classic is the ultimate way to use up extra turkey, gravy and sides for a rib-sticking, craveable meal.
In this article, we’ll explore how to easily transform your leftover gravy and Thanksgiving favorites into a hearty shepherd’s pie. From step-by-step instructions to tips and tricks, read on to learn the secrets behind making irresistible turkey shepherd’s pie with gravy.
An Overview of Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
Similar to the traditional shepherd’s pie made with ground lamb, turkey shepherd’s pie features a saucy ground turkey filling topped with creamy, velvety mashed potatoes By using leftover sliced turkey instead of ground meat, you can give this classic comfort meal a Thanksgiving twist
The base of the filling is a simple mixture of turkey, veggies and gravy. The gravy adds moisture and ties all the flavors together. After layering the filling in a baking dish, it gets topped with mashed potatoes and baked to golden brown perfection
Why Leftover Gravy Makes Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Special
What sets turkey shepherd’s pie apart is the addition of leftover gravy. Gravy is the special ingredient that gives this dish its distinctive flavor. Here’s why gravy makes this recipe so special:
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Adds moisture – Gravy prevents the turkey filling from drying out while baking under the potato crust. This helps ensure a tender, juicy interior.
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Provides rich flavor – The concentrated flavor of gravy infuses the entire dish with savory, meaty flavor.
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Binds ingredients – Gravy brings everything together, allowing flavors to mingle into a cohesive filling.
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Utilizes leftovers – Making this dish is a great way to use up leftover gravy so none goes to waste.
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Easy to make – If you don’t have leftover gravy, it can be whipped up easily from pan drippings or broth.
Without gravy, the filling would be drier and blander. But gravy makes all the difference in creating a rich, moist and decadent turkey shepherd’s pie.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Gravy
If you have leftover gravy, turkey and veggies after the holidays, putting together this comforting casserole is easy. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide:
Ingredients Needed
- 2 cups cooked, cubed turkey
- 1⁄2 cup frozen peas and carrots, thawed
- 1⁄2 cup frozen corn, thawed
- 1⁄4 cup chopped onion
- 1-2 cups leftover gravy or homemade gravy
- 2 cups mashed potatoes
Steps for Assembly:
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 baking dish.
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In a large bowl, mix together turkey, peas and carrots, corn and onion.
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Pour in gravy and stir to coat ingredients. Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish.
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Spoon mashed potatoes evenly over the top, and spread into an even layer sealing the edges.
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Bake 30-40 minutes until hot and bubbling. Broil 3-5 minutes to brown potatoes.
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Let cool 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley if desired.
And that’s it! With just a few simple steps, you can put together this satisfying turkey shepherd’s pie for the whole family to enjoy.
Tips for Making the Best Turkey Shepherd’s Pie with Gravy
Follow these tips for turkey shepherd’s pie success:
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For maximum flavor, use a combination of white and dark turkey meat.
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Add extra vegetables like celery, mushrooms or brussels sprouts for more nutrition.
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Stir in herbs like sage, rosemary or thyme to complement the turkey.
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For creamier potatoes, stir in butter, cream cheese or milk when reheating.
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If the filling seems dry, add extra gravy or chicken broth as needed.
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Top with shredded cheddar cheese on the potatoes for more flavor.
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For easier portioning, assemble the pie in ramekins instead of a large casserole dish.
Make-Ahead and Freezing Instructions
Part of what makes turkey shepherd’s pie so handy is that it can be prepared in advance. Here are some tips:
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Assemble up to 2 days before baking and store covered in the fridge.
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Bake, let cool completely, then freeze in individual portions for up to 3 months.
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Thaw frozen portions overnight in fridge before reheating in a 350°F oven.
With some simple preparation, you can enjoy turkey shepherd’s pie throughout the holidays and beyond!
Satisfy Your Cravings with Comforting Turkey Shepherd’s Pie
When you’re seeking comfort food with leftover holiday turkey, look no further than turkey shepherd’s pie. Allowing you to repurpose extra gravy, meat and veggies, this satisfying dish will become a new tradition at your house. Follow the easy steps to assemble the casserole, and soon you’ll be enjoying forkfuls of tender turkey smothered in gravy, veggies and fluffy potatoes. Turkey shepherd’s pie is the tastiest way yet to indulge with all of your delicious Thanksgiving leftovers!
Turkey Shepherd’s Pie FAQs
Both cottage pie and shepherd’s pie are savory meat pies, but there is a technical difference. Cottage pie is traditionally made with ground beef. Shepherd’s pie is traditionally made with ground lamb. So I guess this Turkey Shepherd’s Pie isn’t either, but now we’re just getting technical.
This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is plenty flavorful as-is, but feel free to spice it up using whatever seasonings you want. Try any dried herbs, a sprinkle of cayenne or red pepper flakes, chili powder, paprika, you name it.
Absolutely! You can assemble your Turkey Shepherd’s Pie up to a day before you want to serve it. Do not bake. Instead, cover in plastic wrap or foil and store in the fridge for 1-2 days. When you’re ready to serve, bake as directed, adding time as needed.
Leftover Turkey Shepherd’s Pie will last in the fridge for up to 4 days, depending on how fresh your ingredients were when you started. It can be wrapped tightly in the freezer for up to 2 months, although only do this if you used high fat dairy in your mashed potatoes. The texture of the potatoes can change after freezing. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge if frozen, then warm in the oven until heated through.
- Start with an oven-safe skillet. Make the filling in an oven-safe skillet so you can easily layer on the potatoes and bake it. Just one dirty dish!
- Add other veggies. Feel free to sauté whatever veggies you want with the carrot, onion, and celery. Try mushrooms, bell pepper, green beans, you name it.
- Use any leftovers you have. You’re totally not limited to mashed potatoes and turkey. Layer in whatever you have in your fridge. Corn? Stuffing? Cranberry sauce? If it sounds good to you, it’s probably good!
- Make it cheesy. A sprinkle of cheddar cheese on the potatoes would be delicious.
- Use another meat. This recipe works great with any leftover meat you have on hand. Leftover shredded chicken is a great option.
- If you don’t have leftover meat, feel free to use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken. Just cook it with the veggies before assembling the pie!
This Turkey Shepherd’s Pie is loaded up with pretty much anything you could want in a meal, so you can totally serve it on its own.
More Shepherd’s Pie Recipes to Try
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Classic Shepherd’s Pie | Gordon Ramsay
FAQ
Does shepherd’s pie have gravy in it?
How do you thicken shepherd’s pie?
Why does my shepherd’s pie taste bland?
Why is my shepherd’s pie soggy?