Introduction
Gather your family for a cozy gathering with Turkey Lattice Pie! This savory pie is filled with a delicious blend of tender turkey, fresh vegetables, and a rich, savory gravy, all encased in a flaky crust and topped with a beautiful lattice design. Perfect for holiday feasts or a comforting dinner any time of year, this pie is not only a hearty dish but also a delightful centerpiece. With simple steps and easy-to-find ingredients, you’ll create a showstopper that brings warmth and flavor to your table!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Here are several reasons to fall in love with Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Comforting and Hearty: A delicious way to use leftover turkey or a comforting dish for any day.
- Savory Goodness: A flavorful filling that’s packed with turkey, vegetables, and herbs.
- Beautiful Presentation: The lattice crust gives an impressive look, making it perfect for special occasions.
- Simple Ingredients: Made with pantry staples, it’s easy to whip up this delicious pie.
- Make-Ahead Option: Prepare in advance and bake when you’re ready to serve.
- Kid-Friendly: Even picky eaters will enjoy this tasty pie!
- Versatile Filling: Customize with your favorite vegetables or spices to suit your taste.
- Freezer-Friendly: Freeze before baking for a convenient meal later on.
- Great for Leftovers: A wonderful way to repurpose holiday turkey leftovers.
- Perfect for Any Skill Level: Whether you’re a novice or a pro in the kitchen, this recipe is easy to follow.
Preparation Time and Cook Time
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Preparation Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Servings: 8 slices
- Calories per slice: Approximately 350 calories
- Key Nutrients: Protein: 22g, Fat: 18g, Carbohydrates: 30g, Fiber: 3g
Ingredients
Gather the following ingredients to create your Turkey Lattice Pie:
For the Filling:
- 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Crust:
- 2 pre-made pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Ingredient Highlights
- Cooked Turkey: A great way to utilize leftover turkey, but rotisserie or other cooked turkey works too!
- Fresh Vegetables: Carrots, celery, and peas bring color and nutrients to the filling.
- Herbs: Fresh parsley and dried thyme elevate the flavors of the pie.
- Lattice Crust: The beautiful lattice design not only looks great but adds texture to each slice.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to create your Turkey Lattice Pie:
Prepare the Filling
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Turkey and Peas: Stir in the cooked turkey, frozen peas, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Create the Gravy: Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes. If you’d like a thicker filling, mix cornstarch with a little water and stir it in, cooking until thickened.
- Cool: Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly while you prepare the crust.
Assemble the Pie
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the Bottom Crust: Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, trimming any excess overhang.
- Add the Filling: Pour the turkey filling into the crust, spreading it evenly.
- Create the Lattice Top: Roll out the second pie crust and cut it into strips. Lay half of the strips horizontally across the filling, then weave the remaining strips vertically to create a lattice pattern. Trim and crimp the edges of the crust to seal.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the lattice top with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake the Pie
- Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
How to Serve
Here are some fun serving ideas for your Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Serve with Gravy: Drizzle extra gravy over individual slices for added flavor.
- Pair with Salad: A light green salad makes a fresh complement to the hearty pie.
- Garnish with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh herbs on top for a vibrant finish.
- Use Festive Plates: Serve on colorful or themed plates for a cheerful presentation.
- Accompany with Bread: Offer warm crusty bread or rolls on the side for dipping.
- Create a Pie Buffet: Serve slices alongside other savory pies for a fun meal experience.
- Pair with Wine: Offer a glass of white wine to enhance the flavors of the dish.
- Offer Side Dishes: Mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables make excellent sides.
- Individual Servings: Cut the pie into small squares for easier serving at gatherings.
- Wrap Leftovers: Store leftover pie slices in an airtight container for a quick meal later.
Additional Tips
Maximize your enjoyment of Turkey Lattice Pie with these helpful tips:
- Use Leftovers: This pie is perfect for using leftover turkey from holiday meals.
- Make It Ahead: Assemble the pie ahead of time and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
- Use Store-Bought Crust: Save time by using store-bought pie crusts for convenience.
- Customize the Filling: Feel free to add your favorite vegetables, such as mushrooms or green beans.
- Add Cheese: Stir in some shredded cheese for an extra creamy filling.
- Check for Doneness: Ensure the filling is bubbling to confirm it’s heated through.
- Let it Rest: Allow the pie to cool slightly before slicing to help it hold its shape.
- Store Properly: Cover any leftover pie and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze for Later: Unbaked pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Just bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to adjust spices to your liking—add a pinch of cayenne for heat or more thyme for flavor!
Recipe Variations
Consider these creative variations for your Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Vegetarian Option: Swap turkey for hearty vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini for a vegetarian delight.
- Different Proteins: Use chicken or even beef instead of turkey for a different flavor.
- Spicy Twist: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to the filling for a spicy kick.
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce: Substitute broth with cream of mushroom soup for a different base flavor.
- Different Crust: Try a biscuit topping instead of a pie crust for a fluffy finish.
- Herbed Crust: Add dried herbs to the crust for an extra flavor boost.
- Mini Pies: Use a muffin tin to create individual mini turkey pies for easy serving.
- Curry Flavor: Incorporate curry powder into the filling for an aromatic twist.
- Sweet Potatoes: Add sweet potato cubes to the filling for a touch of sweetness.
- Quinoa Base: Substitute the turkey with quinoa for a hearty vegetarian filling.
Freezing and Storage
Ensure proper storage to maintain the quality of your Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Storage: Cover any leftover pie with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Unbaked pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding extra time to the cooking process.
- Thawing: If you freeze a baked pie, let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: Reheat individual slices in the microwave or reheat the whole pie in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until warmed through.
Special Equipment
You may need these kitchen tools to create your Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Pie Dish: For baking the pie.
- Knife: To cut the lattice strips and trim the crust.
- Skillet: For sautéing the vegetables and preparing the filling.
- Mixing Bowl: For combining the filling ingredients.
- Pastry Brush: To apply the egg wash on the lattice crust.
- Serving Platter: To display the finished pie.
FAQ Section
Here are answers to common questions about Turkey Lattice Pie:
- Can I use raw turkey?
Yes, you can use raw turkey; just ensure it’s cooked thoroughly in the filling. - How long can I store leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. - Can I freeze the pie?
Absolutely! Unbaked pies can be frozen for up to 3 months. Bake directly from the freezer. - What if I don’t have turkey?
You can substitute with chicken or even make it vegetarian by using mushrooms or lentils. - Can I make this pie gluten-free?
Yes, you can use gluten-free pie crusts and adjust the filling accordingly.
Turkey Lattice Pie
- Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 3 cups cooked turkey, shredded or diced
- 1 cup carrots, diced
- 1 cup celery, diced
- 1 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for thickening)
For the Crust:
- 2 pre-made pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
Instructions
Prepare the Filling
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5-7 minutes.
- Add Turkey and Peas: Stir in the cooked turkey, frozen peas, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Create the Gravy: Pour in the broth and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 5 minutes. If you’d like a thicker filling, mix cornstarch with a little water and stir it in, cooking until thickened.
- Cool: Remove from heat and let the filling cool slightly while you prepare the crust.
Assemble the Pie
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Prepare the Bottom Crust: Roll out one pie crust and fit it into a 9-inch pie dish, trimming any excess overhang.
- Add the Filling: Pour the turkey filling into the crust, spreading it evenly.
- Create the Lattice Top: Roll out the second pie crust and cut it into strips. Lay half of the strips horizontally across the filling, then weave the remaining strips vertically to create a lattice pattern. Trim and crimp the edges of the crust to seal.
- Apply Egg Wash: Brush the lattice top with the beaten egg for a golden finish.
Bake the Pie
- Bake: Place the pie in the preheated oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the filling is bubbly. If the edges brown too quickly, cover them with foil.
- Cool: Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
- Prep Time: 30 min.
- Cook Time: 30 min.
Nutrition
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
Conclusion
Turkey Lattice Pie is a comforting, delicious way to gather your loved ones around the table. Its flaky crust and savory filling bring warmth and satisfaction, making it a perfect dish for holidays, family dinners, or any day you crave something hearty. With its impressive presentation and simple preparation, it’s a recipe that allows for creativity and customization. So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and enjoy the process of creating this delightful pie that will surely become a family favorite!