Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Recipe

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie, boy this recipe is getting bumped to the top of our Thanksgiving Leftover Turkey recipes to make. I love using leftovers to make dinner after the holidays. This is a tasty twist on a classic St Patrick’s day dish.

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Now I always make too many mashed potatoes, so I used leftovers of those; I have to say I will have to try this with loaded mashed potatoes. This is an easy dinner that even picky eaters will love as well. Now I also buy extra turkeys at the local grocery store when they are on sale, so not only is this Thanksgiving leftover but also from just cooking one throughout the year.

Turkey Shepherd’s Pie Ingredients

• Turkey– I used shredded Turkey breast to make this; you can also use ground turkey. White turkey meat or dark turkey meat will work in this recipe.
• Red Pepper-I made large chunks so the kids could pick around it.
• Red Onion
• Minced Garlic
• Mashed Potatoes– I like to use Garlic Mashed Potatoes but in a pinch you can also use instant mashed potatoes aka boxed potatoes
• Salt
• Black Pepper
• Cream Of Chicken– If you don’t want chicken, you can use cream of celery, cream of mushroom, or cream of asparagus.

How To Make Turkey Sheprd’s Pie

If not using leftover mashed potatoes, start a pot of boiling water to boil your potatoes. If you have leftover mashed potatoes, reheat them on top of the pie or cook them longer if they are not reheated.

Peel and cut your potatoes; I used russet potatoes. I have used gold and red potatoes on Shepherd’s pie before, and they all work great. Sweet Potatoes would work as well.

Boil your potatoes until they are ready to be mashed. 

Chop your onion and peppers up.  I did bigger chunks for mine so the kids could pick those pieces out.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees f.

Strain your potatoes; I mashed mine up in my kitchen aid mixer.  You could also mash potatoes by hand with a potato masher or a hand-held mixer.

Reheat your turkey if it is not warm to put in the pie. I used my microwave for this step.

For the potatoes, I used I add milk, sour cream, salt, and pepper. You can substitute heavy cream into yours or add butter as well. Creamy mashed potatoes are the best for this recipe.

In a large mixing bowl, I used my 8 Cup Pyrex measuring cup; to combine your Cream of Chicken soup, peppers, onion, shredded ham, and minced garlic.

Spray your pie pan with a nonstick spray. You can use any baking dish or casserole pan, but you must increase the ingredients to fill the dish.

Put the turkey mixture into your sprayed dish and press flat with a spatula or wooden spoon. 

Place and spread your mashed potatoes onto the top of the meat mixture in the pie plate.  

*Now I goofed and put cheese on mine before I put it in the oven because everything was warmed up it was done in 20 minutes. If your potatoes and turkey aren’t warm it will take longer to cook. You can bake and then add cheese it is a preference, for me, it was one less step to have to do.*

Place the shepherd’s pie in the oven and cook for about 20 minutes.

Remove from oven and top with cheese, bake for five more minutes until the cheese has melted. I used mild cheddar cheese, but this works with any shredded cheese.

Serve and enjoy!! 

HOW STORE LEFTOVER Shepherd’s pie

Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 3 to 5 days. You can also use plastic wrap or aluminum foil to cover the pan.

You can freeze in an air-tight container for up to three months.

Storing leftovers properly requires the right tools! My preferred storage method is if the leftovers can be sealed in a food saver. If not, then an air-tight container or Ziploc bag for the fridge is the way I go. The air-tight container and a freezer Ziploc bag are the next best bet for freezing the leftovers. I also use a food scale to measure portions into serving sizes.

Freezable storage ContainersFood SealerFreezer BagsFood Scale

 

HOW TO REHEAT LEFTOVERS Shepherd’s pie

You can microwave to reheat or bake in the oven.

What To Serve With Shepherd’s Pie

• Roasted Root Vegetables– Carrots, Brussel Sprouts, Asparagus, Broccoli, and Cauliflower, are excellent in the oven.
• Green beans
• Corn on the Cob
• Side Salad
• Dinner roll
• Coleslaw
• Air Fryer Asparagus
• Cornbread
• Biscuits
• Garlic bread

WHAT TYPE OF MEAT ALTERNATIVES TO USE IN SHEPHERD’S PIE:

Any ground meat or shredded meat will work for the meat portion. A Classic Shepherd’s Pie Recipe or a Classic Cottage Pie Recipe will be made with ground beef.

• Ground Lamb
• Roast 
• Ground Chicken
• Ground Beef
• Ham

Shepherds Pie Recipes To Try Out

• Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe– Perfect comfort food to make at home! Use ground beef and top with mashed potatoes and cheese! Perfect for St Patrick’s Day!
• Ham Shepherd’s Pie–Holiday leftover ham is excellent when repurposed into this comforting dish.
• Turkey Shepherd’s Pie– Use leftover turkey to make actual comfort food at its finest.
• Brisket Shepherd’s Pie-Used Smoked Brisket to make this tasty comfort food on your smoker.
• Vegan Shepherd’s Pie– Now you can veganize this recipe by using plant-based meat (aka vegan beef), vegan mashed potatoes, violife vegan cheese, and vegan cream of chicken soup options.

ALTERNATIVES TO PUT IN leftover turkey shepherd’s pie:

• Worcestershire Sauce
• Tomato Paste
• Mixed Vegetables- These can be strained canned vegetables or cooked frozen vegetables. Broccoli florets would be unique in this.
• Garlic Powder
• Tomato Sauce
• Chicken Broth or Beef Broth-Adding to the water you are boiling potatoes or cooking the turkey is a great way to add flavor to your potatoes.
• Mozzarella Cheese

Pans TO COOK SHEPHERD’S PIE In:

The size of dish you bake the shepherd’s pie in will affect the servings and how much you need to fill the dish. So be sure to have an idea of how much of the ingredients you will need.

• Casserole Dish
• Large Skillet Pan– Cast iron is fantastic; if not using a cast iron skillet, use an oven-safe skillet.
• Pie Pan-You can use a disposable pan, glass pie plate, or metal pie plate.
• Cast Iron Pan 
• Dutch Oven Pan