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  1. Food and Cooking
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  3. Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Leftover Turkey Shepherd's Pie

Use up extra turkey, mashed potatoes, and veggies.

By Leah PerezUpdated: Oct 7, 2024
Star FillStar FillStar FillStar FillHalf Star
4.6
5 Ratings
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the pioneer woman's leftover turkey shepherds pie recipe
Danielle Daly
Yields:
4 - 6 serving(s)
Prep Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Video poster

One of the best parts of Thanksgiving is getting to enjoy leftovers for days to come! For a hearty, post-holiday meal, transform yours into this turkey shepherd's pie. With this recipe, you can not only use up leftover turkey, but extra green beans, mashed potatoes, and fresh herbs, too! Give the filling even more flavor by saving the turkey carcass to make a delicious turkey stock. This dish is so darn comforting, you'll want to make Thanksgiving dinner all over again!

What is in leftover turkey shepherd's pie?

While shepherd's pie usually contains ground beef or lamb gravy topped with mashed potatoes, this version takes advantage of the freshly roasted turkey from Thanksgiving. It also contains many ingredients you’ll likely have on hand from the holidays. Carrots, celery, onion, garlic, sage, and parsley are common holiday aromatics that can be saved and used here. The filling is very similar to chicken pot pie, with the addition of hearty mushrooms and Worcestershire sauce. These dark, savory ingredients make the pie taste more like the shepherd's pie that inspired it. If you have leftover gravy, spoon some of that in, too. Finally, frozen cut green beans are folded into the filling, But, if leftover green beans or roasted vegetables from the feast are lying around, use those instead!

Can you use leftover mashed potatoes for leftover turkey shepherd’s pie?

If there are at least four cups of leftover mashed potatoes, the recipe is halfway done! While this recipe uses a simple mashed potato recipe, roasted garlic mashed potatoes or even mashed sweet potatoes will work here, too! Simply thin out the leftover potatoes with a little milk, if necessary, and stir in the egg yolk and cheese. The egg yolk and cheese ensure that, while the potatoes are still fluffy and creamy, they are layered nicely on top of the filling without seeping in and also get a golden, crispy top.

Can leftover turkey shepherd's pie be made ahead?

Both the mashed potato topping and meat filling can be made in advance and stored in separate air-tight containers in the refrigerator for up to two days. When it comes time to bake, assemble the casserole as instructed, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue with step 7, baking for 15 to 20 minutes (rotating halfway through) before broiling.

Can you freeze leftover turkey shepherd's pie?

Yes! This shepherd's pie can be fully assembled, wrapped tightly in foil, and frozen (unbaked) for up to three months. Let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then bake, covered, for 20 minutes before removing the foil and proceeding with step 7.

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Ingredients

Mashed Potatoes

  • 2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-in. cubes 
  • 1 Tbsp. plus 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Filling

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
  • 2 celery stalks, chopped
  • 8 oz. baby bella mushrooms, trimmed and sliced
  • 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups turkey or chicken broth, warm
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 3 cups shredded or cubed cooked turkey
  • 1 cup frozen green beans
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, plus more for sprinkling
  • 2 tsp. chopped fresh sage
  • Cooking spray

Directions

    1. Step 1Preheat the oven to 375°F. Arrange an oven rack in the upper third portion of the oven.
    2. Step 2For the mashed potato layer: In a medium saucepan, add the potatoes and water until it reaches 1 inch above the potatoes. Place the pan over medium-high heat until boiling. Add 1 tablespoon of salt. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the potatoes are fork-tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat.
    3. Step 3Drain the potatoes and add them back to the saucepan. Cook over low heat, gently stirring, until the potatoes begin to dry out, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and mash the potatoes. Stir in the melted butter. In a small measuring cup, whisk the cream and egg yolk until well combined and add to the potatoes. Stir in the cheese, pepper, and remaining 1 ½ teaspoons of salt. Taste for salt, cover, and set aside.
    4. Step 4For the filling: In a large Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the onion, carrot, and celery. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion is lightly golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally until the mushrooms release their liquid and begin to turn golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook until the raw flour smell disappears, 2 to 3 minutes.
    5. Step 5Whisking constantly to prevent lumps, gradually add the warm turkey broth and Worcestershire sauce. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce is smooth and thickened, about 3 minutes. Whisk in the heavy cream until well combined. Fold in the turkey, green beans, parsley, and sage. Taste for salt.
    6. Step 6Spray a 3-quart casserole dish with cooking spray. Add the turkey layer to the prepared pan, spreading until even. Dollop the mashed potatoes over the turkey layer, spreading into an even layer. Use a fork or spoon to make ridges or decorative swirls on the potatoes.
    7. Step 7Bake until the filling is bubbling, 15 to 20 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. Turn the broiler on high and cook until the potatoes are golden brown and crisp, 2 to 4 minutes.
    8. Step 8Remove to a cooling rack and allow to sit for 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot and sprinkle with extra parsley.

Tip: Using warm turkey broth in the filling will help reduce the amount of lumps, which means less whisking!

Love this recipe? Try one of these next!

  • Freezer-Friendly Shepherd’s Pie
    55 mins
  • Leftover Turkey Pot Pie
    1 hr 20 mins
  • Leftover Turkey Soup
    40 mins
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