Leftover turkey? Turn it into flaky, savory hand pies filled with cranberry and Boursin for a quick, satisfying meal. Use your leftover pie crusts, chopped turkey, a spoonful of cranberry sauce, and a bit of Boursin (or another creamy cheese) to make handheld pockets that taste fresh and festive.
The morning after a big holiday, the house feels quiet and a little disheveled. You wake up slow, reach for a cup of coffee, and take stock of the mess and the memories from the night before. Those leftovers in the kitchen—the turkey, cranberry sauce, and pie crusts—are suddenly less of a chore and more of an opportunity.
Leftovers don’t have to mean the same meal on repeat. With a few simple steps you can reinvent Thanksgiving flavors into something portable and new. These hand pies are fast to assemble and bake, and they make excellent snacks, lunches, or a casual dinner when you want comfort food without a long prep time.
They also tidy up your fridge: a little turkey, a little cranberry, some cheese, and two store-bought pie crusts are all you need. The flavors—savory turkey, tangy cranberry, and creamy herbed Boursin—play well together and give the pies a balance of richness and brightness.
How to Make Leftover Turkey Hand Pies
These hand pies are simple and forgiving. Prepare everything on a lined baking sheet and bake until golden brown. Below is an easy method and ingredient list to get you started.
Recipe Details
- Prep time: 10 minutes
- Cook time: 20 minutes
- Total time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4 hand pies
Ingredients
- 2 nine-inch pie crusts (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup cranberry sauce
- 2 cups chopped cooked turkey (or chicken)
- 1 container Garlic & Herbs Boursin cheese (or about 4 ounces of another soft, flavored cheese)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: slices of pepper jack or another melting cheese, if you prefer
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Unroll both pie crusts and, if needed, roll them slightly thinner with a rolling pin. Cut each crust into four equal quarters so you have eight pieces in total.
- On four of the crust pieces, spoon about a tablespoon or two of cranberry sauce, spreading it slightly but leaving space at the edges.
- Top the cranberry with chopped turkey (about 1/2 cup per pocket, divided among the four) and a quarter of the Boursin on each portion. Season with a little salt and pepper if needed.
- Place the remaining four crust pieces over the filled quarters. Press the edges to seal and crimp with a fork. Cut a couple of small slits in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.
- Bake the hand pies in the preheated oven until golden brown, about 18–22 minutes depending on your oven. Let them cool on the baking sheet for about 5 minutes before serving so the filling sets slightly.
Tips and Variations
- If you don’t have Boursin, use cream cheese mixed with chopped herbs and a pinch of garlic powder, or use thin slices of a melting cheese like pepper jack or sharp cheddar.
- For a sweeter counterpoint, mix a little orange zest into the cranberry sauce before filling.
- Leftover gravy can be served on the side for dipping, or mixed into the turkey before filling for a moister interior.
- These hand pies freeze well. Freeze unbaked, then bake from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
- Serving size: 1 pie
- Calories: 633 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 75 g
- Protein: 17 g
- Saturated fat: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 36 mg
- Sodium: 486 mg
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 26 g
More ideas for using turkey leftovers
- Use turkey in a pot pie replacing the usual chicken.
- Stir turkey into chili or white chicken chili for extra flavor and protein.
- Make classic turkey sandwiches with heated turkey, cranberry sauce, and a slice of melting cheese.
- Add chopped turkey to salads, quesadillas, or pasta dishes for a quick boost.
These hand pies are a satisfying, easy way to transform your holiday leftovers into something new. They take minimal effort, bake quickly, and taste like you spent far more time in the kitchen than you did—perfect for busy post-holiday days.