A leftover turkey and ham pie is a seasonal classic and will appear on many tables after both Christmas and Thanksgiving.
In the days that follow the main festival warming comforting food is very much still in order and on the menu, but I still want to eat relatively healthily (or at least leave some room for Stilton and chocolates – talking of Stilton my Stilton steak sauce is delicious with leftover Christmas Stilton), so I’ve made some substitutions to make these pies slightly lighter and smaller.
An individual serving always looks more appealing and impressive and also cuts out the need for a second helping. I have made the sauce lighter by using a mix of semi skimmed milk and stock (if you are using home made stock make sure to skim the fat off, and also to dilute it a little with water). Finally the topping is made from one sheet of filo pastry, scrunched up to give lots of volume and texture, but with far fewer calories and bulk than regular pastry.
Here’s how to cook the perfect Christmas Turkey and what to do with all the leftovers!
Easy Leftover Turkey Recipes
Here are some more ideas for using that leftover turkey – remember that you can also substitute turkey in any recipe that uses leftover chicken!
- Left over turkey curry
- Leftover turkey pasta bake
- Leftover turkey biryani
- Leftover turkey stuffed baked potatoes
- Leftover turkey soup
- Leftover turkey frittata
- Leftover turkey croquettes
- Leftover turkey slaw
Leftover Turkey & Ham Pies, with a filo crunch
Ingredients
- 30 g butter
- 2 tbs flour
- 200 ml turkey or chicken stock
- 120 ml semi skimmed milk
- 2 tbs cranberry sauce
- 250 g leftover roasted turkey - mix of white and brown meat - diced
- 80 g leftover roast ham - diced
- 60 g sweetcorn
- 4 sheets filo pastry
Instructions
- Place the butter into a saucepan and melt over a gentle heat, add the flour and stir in to make a smooth paste. Cook for a few minutes stirring all the time.
- Slowly start to add the stock, bit by bit stirring all the time, until you have a smooth liquid and no lumps. Add the remainder of the stock and the milk and simmer until you have a smooth sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the cranberry sauce, turkey, ham and sweetcorn. Divide between 4 individual pie dishes or individual casseroles.
- Shape the filo pastry toppings by scrunching each sheet up from the middle and then shaping with both hands. Place each scrunched sheet on top of each pie.
- Bake according to the packet instructions (usually 200C / 180Fan / GM 6) for about 15 mins until the filo is golden brown and the pie filling piping hot and bubbling.
- Serve immediately.
More leftover turkey? Make my easy leftover roast turkey curry.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Great way to use up leftovers – my granny always used to make an amazing pie but I’m sure it was far less healthy than this one! Filo is a great alternative to lower the calories.
Helen
I love filo pastry. It is so adaptable and has that amazing crunch.
Jo of Jo's Kitchen
Using Filo pastry is a genius idea! What a lovely way to use up festive leftovers
Helen
Thanks Jo. I love filo pastry, all the crunch but none of the bulk.
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry
Can I borrow your pie idea for my boxing day meal.
Helen
you may indeed!
Erin
I love recipes like these – it really helps in reducing food waste! The gadget is pretty nifty too, really useful for Christmas – there’s nothing worse than dry turkey!
Helen
I love the Thermapen. Super responsive.
Claire
A fantastic way to use up leftovers and I absolutely love filo pastry. Yummy1
Helen
Thanks Claire, I love filo too. all the crunch and none of the bulk.
Emma
I love meals made with left overs! This looks like it would go down a treat in my house for sure!
Helen
You and me both! This is so easy to make.
Lucy Melissa Smith
I’m on a bit of a personal quest at the moment to use up everything and have no waste whatsoever so a recipe like this is fabulous and a great use of leftovers!
I’ve pinned it so I can find it later on, thank you for sharing
X X
Helen
I have the remainder of the filo in the freezer! All ideas please?
Stella
I love your pictures a lot. So beautiful. This recipe looks so yummy.
Helen
Thank you Stella, hugely appreciate you saying so.
Ali
Great recipe and I love the look of the Thermapen – perfect for making sure everything has reached the right temperature!
Helen
I am so impressed with the Thermapen. It is very responsive, and so reassuring to show things are properly cooked.
Ickle Pickle
Oh this looks amazing – even I could manage this I think. Kaz x
Helen
It is super easy Kaz, ready made filo is such a good ingredient.
Charlotte
This is a great idea for the leftovers. I love filo pastry! x
Helen
Thanks Charlotte, it is super light, but has lots of texture.