Dinner

Thanksgiving Leftover Hand Pies Recipe

ByThomas Greene January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Introduction

Transform your Thanksgiving leftovers into delicious handheld treats with these Thanksgiving Leftover Hand Pies. They’re easy to make, portable, and perfect for enjoying the classic flavors of turkey, stuffing, and sweet potatoes in a fun new way.

Two golden brown, flaky pastry-filled turnovers sit on a white plate with a rustic brown rim, placed on a white marbled surface. One turnover is whole with small slits on top, showing a crimped, textured edge, while the other is cut in half and stacked, revealing its filling of light beige cooked chicken pieces and bright orange chunks, likely sweet potatoes. Beside them, there is a small pile of vivid red sauce or chutney with a shiny, chunky texture. The photo is clear and well-lit, showing detailed layers of pastry and filling inside the turnovers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 batch Best Ever Pie Crust
1 cup cooked turkey, shredded
1 1/4 cups leftover gravy, separated
1/2 cup leftover stuffing
1/2 cup leftover sweet potatoes
1 egg
1 teaspoon water
1 cup red wine
5 black peppercorns
1 cup leftover cranberry sauce

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: Roll out the pie dough on a lightly floured surface until it is 1/8 inch thick. Use a 4 1/2 to 5-inch round cookie cutter to cut out 12 rounds. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet, rerolling scraps as needed.
Step 3: In a small bowl, toss the shredded turkey with 1/4 cup of the gravy. Spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the turkey mixture onto one half of each dough round, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Add 1 tablespoon of stuffing and then about 1 tablespoon of sweet potatoes on top.
Step 4: Beat the egg with water to make an egg wash. Brush the edges of the dough rounds with the egg wash. Fold the dough over the filling to form half-moons and press the edges together. Seal the edges firmly using a fork.
Step 5: Brush the tops of the hand pies with the egg wash. Cut three small slits on top of each pie to allow steam to escape. Bake for about 25 minutes, until the crust is golden and cooked through.
Step 6: While the pies bake, simmer the red wine and peppercorns in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Strain the reduction into the remaining 1 cup of warm gravy and whisk to combine.
Step 7: Remove the pies from the oven and let them cool for 2–3 minutes. Serve warm with the red wine gravy and cranberry sauce for dipping.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, add a pinch of dried herbs like thyme or sage to the turkey filling before assembling.
Use store-bought pie crust if short on time—just be sure to thaw it properly before rolling out.
Try adding a bit of sharp cheddar cheese inside the pies for a melty surprise.

Storage

Store leftover hand pies in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes to retain crispness, or microwave for 1-2 minutes if short on time. Gravy and cranberry sauce should be refrigerated separately and reheated or served cold as preferred.

How to Serve

The image shows two halves of a golden flaky pastry cut open to reveal the filling inside, placed on a white plate. The filling has three clear layers: the bottom and middle layers contain chunky, light beige pieces of cooked chicken with a tender texture, and the top layer has bright orange sweet potato cubes. Near the cut-open pastry, there is a small pile of shiny, red cooked tomatoes adding color contrast. The background is a soft white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I freeze these hand pies?

Yes, you can freeze assembled hand pies before baking. Place them on a baking sheet to freeze individually, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag. Bake from frozen, adding about 10 extra minutes to the baking time.

Can I use other leftover meats?

Absolutely! Leftover chicken, ham, or even roast beef can work well in these hand pies. Just adjust seasoning and gravy accordingly to complement the meat choice.

Thomas Greene