Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuits

Category: Restaurant-Quality Entrées at Home

Savor a classic comfort dish where shredded turkey is simmered with peas, carrots, and aromatic herbs in a rich, creamy filling. The mixture gets topped with fluffy biscuits and baked until deeply golden, creating a cozy meal perfect for chilly evenings and Thanksgiving leftovers. Quick preparation, simple steps, and flexibility in using cast iron or a baking dish make this a reliable option. Customize the richness with your choice of half and half or cream, add an herbed butter touch, and enjoy a piping hot serving with crisp-edged biscuits. Ideal for feeding a family and great for meal prep, as both leftovers and reheating are easy.

Sandra
By Sandra Sandra
Updated on Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:45:13 GMT
A bowl of soup with a pastry on top. Pin
A bowl of soup with a pastry on top. | howtogourmet.com

This Turkey Pot Pie with biscuits turns leftover turkey into effortless comfort food. The rich, creamy filling and fluffy golden biscuits make a weeknight dinner feel just a little special on chilly evenings. Whether you’re cleaning out the fridge after a holiday or just craving something warm and homemade, this recipe never disappoints.

I first tried this after a big Thanksgiving when we had mountains of extra turkey and we all agreed it was even better than the main meal. It has been a winter regular ever since.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter: gives silky texture and helps sauté vegetables for depth of flavor. Choose a good quality for best results
  • Onion: diced for sweetness and flavor base. Look for firm onions with no soft spots
  • Garlic: minced adds aroma and richness. Chop fresh cloves for zing
  • All-purpose flour: thickens the sauce and gives the filling body
  • Low-sodium chicken or turkey broth: brings savory flavor without being too salty. Homemade or a trusted brand is best
  • Half and half: adds creaminess without being overly heavy
  • Dried or fresh thyme: helps the filling taste earthy and fresh
  • Dried or fresh rosemary: gives an herbal note that matches the turkey
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper: for balancing flavors
  • Cooked diced or shredded turkey: use what you have on hand white or dark meat both work well
  • Frozen peas and carrots: offer color nutrients and a gentle sweetness. Choose a bag with bright even pieces
  • Canned or frozen buttermilk biscuits: make this easy and delicious. Use your favorite brand or homemade if you have time

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sauté the Aromatics:
Melt butter in a large oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook about five to six minutes until translucent and golden around the edges. Stir in garlic thyme and rosemary and keep stirring for another minute so the herbs release their flavor
Build the Roux:
Sprinkle in the flour and stir constantly to coat the onions. Cook for a full minute watching so the flour does not burn but turns just slightly golden
Make the Creamy Base:
Slowly whisk in the chicken or turkey broth a little at a time to avoid lumps. Once smooth and slightly thick add the half and half whisking after each addition
Simmer and Season:
Bring everything to a gentle simmer then season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Let it bubble for a minute to bring all aromas together
Add Turkey and Veggies:
Stir in the cooked turkey pieces making sure each bit is coated by the creamy sauce. Continue stirring as the filling gets thick about four to five minutes. Add frozen peas and carrots and mix in well
Transfer if Needed:
If your skillet is not ovenproof pour the filling into a 9 by 13 baking dish. Even out the top before moving on
Top with Biscuits:
Arrange biscuits evenly across the top of the filling so each portion will have its own biscuit. Place them gently so the filling does not bubble up above
Bake Until Golden Brown:
Bake at 400F for twenty five to thirty minutes. The tops of the biscuits should look golden and crisp and the bottoms need to feel baked through—lift a biscuit to check if unsure
Serve and Enjoy:
Let the pot pie rest for five minutes before serving so the filling thickens a touch more. This makes it easier to scoop and enjoy
A bowl of soup with a pastry on top. Pin
A bowl of soup with a pastry on top. | howtogourmet.com

The thyme in this dish is my favorite part. Its fragrance reminds me of Sunday afternoons when the whole kitchen smells like Thanksgiving. Years ago my youngest tried to help by tearing the biscuits and ever since we have made “biscuit mountains” instead of perfect circles. It makes the dish even more special to us.

Storage Tips

Let leftovers cool completely before covering tightly and storing in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or warm the whole dish in the oven until heated through. For longer storage freeze in portions for up to two months and thaw overnight before reheating.

A bowl of food with a pastry on top. Pin
A bowl of food with a pastry on top. | howtogourmet.com

Ingredient Substitutions

You can swap the half and half for whole milk if you want a lighter sauce or use heavy cream if you prefer something extra rich. Any cooked meat works if turkey is not available such as rotisserie chicken or even leftover roast pork. Try mixed frozen vegetables or simply diced carrots if you are out of peas and carrots.

Serving Suggestions

Turkey pot pie is satisfying on its own but you can add a crisp green salad for freshness or serve with steamed green beans. If you bake extra biscuits on the side everyone can dunk them into the creamy filling for even more comfort.

A Little History

Pot pie has roots in British cuisine where savory pies were hearty meals for busy families. Swapping out a pastry crust for fluffy biscuits on top probably started here in America for convenience and flavor and now it is a staple in southern kitchens.

Recipe FAQs

→ What type of turkey works best?

Both roasted and smoked turkey taste great. Shredded or diced turkey makes for a hearty filling.

→ Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Yes, cooked diced or shredded chicken is a perfect swap in this savory dish.

→ How do I make the biscuits extra golden?

Brush melted butter, or garlic herb butter, on biscuit tops before baking for richer flavor and color.

→ What's the best pan to use?

A large, oven-safe skillet like cast iron is ideal, but a 9x13-inch baking dish works if needed.

→ Can the pot pie be frozen?

Yes, cool completely, transfer to an airtight container, and freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight to reheat.

→ How do I prevent the biscuits from getting soggy?

If you prefer crispier biscuits, bake them separately and add them on top just before serving.

Turkey Pot Pie with Biscuits

Tender turkey, peas, and carrots topped with flaky biscuits in a rich, creamy sauce.

Preparation Time
15 min
Cooking Time
25 min
Total Time
40 min
By Sandra: Sandra

Category: Main Courses

Skill Level: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings

Dietary Preferences: ~

Ingredients

→ Pot Pie Filling

01 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
02 1 onion, diced (approximately 1 cup)
03 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 60 grams all-purpose flour (¼ cup)
05 600 millilitres low-sodium chicken broth or turkey broth
06 180 millilitres half and half (¾ cup)
07 ½ teaspoon dried thyme or 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, minced
08 ½ teaspoon dried rosemary or 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
09 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
10 3 cups cooked turkey, diced or shredded (approximately 420 grams)
11 340 grams frozen peas and carrots (12 ounces)

→ Biscuit Topping

12 8 canned or frozen buttermilk biscuits

Steps

Step 01

Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).

Step 02

Melt butter in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and sauté until translucent, about 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 03

Add minced garlic, thyme, and rosemary; cook for an additional minute, stirring constantly.

Step 04

Whisk in flour and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously to combine.

Step 05

Gradually whisk in chicken or turkey broth, followed by half and half, ensuring liquid is fully integrated before adding more.

Step 06

Bring mixture to a simmer. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Step 07

Stir in diced or shredded cooked turkey.

Step 08

Return mixture to a simmer, stirring constantly. Lower heat and cook until filling thickens, 4 to 5 minutes.

Step 09

Stir in frozen peas and carrots until well distributed.

Step 10

Remove skillet from heat. If not using an oven-safe skillet, transfer filling to a 23 x 33 cm baking dish.

Step 11

Place biscuits evenly over the surface of the filling.

Step 12

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until biscuits are golden brown and fully cooked through. Check the bottom of a biscuit to ensure doneness.

Step 13

Serve hot and enjoy while fresh.

Additional Notes

  1. For a thinner filling, substitute whole milk for the half and half; for a richer filling, use heavy cream.
  2. To achieve a crispier biscuit topping, bake biscuits separately and place them on top just before serving.
  3. Brushing melted butter or a garlic-herb butter over the baked biscuits enhances flavor.
  4. Leftovers should be fully cooled, stored in an airtight container, and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
  5. For freezer storage, transfer cooled pot pie to a freezer-safe container; freeze up to 2 months, thawing overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  6. If a cast iron skillet is unavailable, any large oven-proof skillet or baking dish will suffice.

Required Equipment

  • Large oven-safe skillet
  • Whisk
  • Baking dish (if skillet is not oven-safe)
  • Wooden spoon or spatula
  • Oven

Allergen Information

Always review every ingredient for potential allergens and consult a health professional if you’re unsure.
  • Contains wheat (gluten) from all-purpose flour and biscuits
  • Contains dairy from butter, half and half, and biscuits

Nutritional Information (per serving)

The provided details are for informational purposes and should not replace professional health advice.
  • Calories: 293
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Proteins: 18 g