Looking for an easy leftover turkey idea? These savoury hand pies are filled with turkey, sweet cranberry sauce, dressing, carrot and creamy cheese. Every bite is satisfying and delicious! Dunk in some gravy for an extra special treat!
I have a slight obsession with hand pies.
The flavour? Well, yes; though that’s not quite it.
The name? Most definitely.
Besides the deliciousness that is a hand pie, I actually love the name.
It conjures up all sorts of warm and fuzzy vibes.
I’m an odd one, right?
And who doesn’t love a little portable personal-sized savoury pie (or pasty)?
Plus, if you have leftover turkey or chicken on hand from Sunday supper or a special meal, these savoury hand pies are a great way to use it! They’re delicious on their own or with a simple side salad to round things out.
What Are Hand Pies?
Hand pies are essentially filling that’s encased in some sort of pastry. They can be found sweet or savoury, baked or fried.
For convenience, I made these hand pies with puff pastry so they come together super quickly.
How To Make Hand Pies
Full details are in the recipe card below, but here are the basics:
- In a bowl, combine leftover turkey with other filling ingredients (cheese, dressing, cranberry sauce, parsley and carrot).
- Place puff pastry on a board or baking sheet. Then invert a bowl (about 5 inches in diameter) over each sheet of puff pastry to make an outline of circles (or you could simply measure). Cut out the circles and lay on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Whisk egg in a bowl and brush around exterior of each puff pastry circle.
- Place the turkey mixture in the centre of each puff pastry circle.
- Fold over each circle so it’s a half-moon shape. Press down gently with your fingers to seal. I also like to then gently press the top of the pastry to kinda distribute the filling that’s inside. Use a fork to create a crimp in the edge and brush whisked egg over each hand pie. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and cut three slits in the top (to allow air to escape while it bakes). Pop the tray into the fridge for about 10 minutes to allow the puff pastry to chill a little bit.
- Bake until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside and heated through.
Serving Ideas
These puff pastry hand pies go great with any of these:
- Gravy
- Cranberry sauce
- Dijon mustard
- Simple side salad
Tips and Variations
- Ensure your filling is cool when preparing these savoury hand pies. This will make for a nice-n-crispy puff pastry.
- Keep your puff pastry cold until you are ready to use it. Warm puff pastry means soggy crust.
- You will have some leftover puff pastry. Don’t discard it! Use it to cut out designs to be used on something else, like a pie.
- Store-bought puff pastry was used as a time saver. If you like, you can make homemade puff pastry.
- Any leftover filling? Fry it up in a pan until crispy and serve with a poached or fried egg for an easy lunch!
- Sesame seeds were used as a garnish (as well as for aesthetics and a little texture). Poppy seeds would also work. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese would be lovely too.
- Not into parsley or don’t have on hand? Try minced chives instead.
More Leftover Turkey Ideas
If you make these meat hand pies with puff pastry, be sure to leave a comment below!
Savoury Hand Pies (Turkey or Chicken)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cooked turkey or chicken, chopped
- 5 tablespoons boursin cheese, "shallot and chive" flavour is delicious
- ½ cup cranberry sauce
- ½ cup dressing/stuffing
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 carrot, peeled and grated
- 2 rolls butter puff pastry, thawed (about 450 grams or 1 pound in total for the two rolls)
- 1 small egg
- 1 to 2 teaspoons sesame seeds or poppy seeds
- Gravy, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a bowl, mix together the cooked turkey, boursin cheese, cranberry sauce, dressing, parsley and carrot. Set aside.
- Place puff pastry on a baking sheet or board. Invert a 5-inch bowl over top to create your outline of each hand pie (gently press down). Then cut out (scissors are great for cutting out the circles). For each roll of puff pastry, you should get 4 (5-inch) rounds. Note: You can discard the excess puff pastry or use for something else.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place rounds of puff pastry on there (you may need to use two baking sheets).
- Whisk egg in a bowl and brush around the circumference (outer edge of each puff pastry circle).
- Distribute the turkey filling in the centre of each puff pastry circle (don't fill to the edge; leave some space). You want enough filling in there, but not too much that you can't close/seal over.Note: If you have any leftover filling after filling your hand pies, pan fry up and enjoy with an egg. So yummy!
- Fold over each puff pastry circle (so each is a half-moon shape), pressing the outer edges with a fork to seal. You can gently press over top (with your hand) to spread out the filling inside.
- Brush the hand pies with some of the remaining egg wash. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Cut 3 slits in top of each puff pastry circle. Then I like to place them in the fridge for about 10 minutes so the puff pastry gets a little cold again.
- Bake for 22 to 24 minutes or until they're golden brown and crispy on the outside and heated through. Allow to cool a few minutes before serving. These are delicious served with gravy (if desired). Enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure your filling is cool. This will make for a nice-n-crispy puff pastry.
- Speaking of puff pastry, keep your puff pastry cold until you are ready to use it. Warm puff pastry means soggy crust.
- You will have some leftover puff pastry. Don’t discard it! Use it to cut out designs to be used on something else, like a pie.
- Any leftover filling? Fry it up in a pan until crispy and serve with a poached or fried egg for an easy peasy lunch!
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Beyond the Chicken Coop
I love these savory little pies! What a great idea for leftovers and for a delicious little lunch! They are so cute and delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thanks so much! We love ’em!
Kevin
Can turkey day be over already for leftovers to make these hand pies? Delicious! How ‘handy’ are these for a grab and go meal!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol! Thank you Kevin 🙂
Katerina | Once a Foodie
What a fabulous idea for leftovers! We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here but there’s always some grilled chicken meat lurking around the fridge – and I’m thinking next time I won’t use it in pasta like I usually do but will make some of these gorgeous hand pies! Thanks for the recipe and all your tips, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Katerina 🙂 Hope you enjoy 🙂
David @ Spiced
Oh man, I love a good hand pie! We’re about to hit turkey overload season, and these look amazing, Dawn! The combination of filling ingredients is making my mouth water…and I’m still on my first cup of coffee down here. 🙂 I’m totally saving this idea for the weekend after Thanskgiving. Oh, and you’re not odd at all…hand pies are da bomb diggity!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Lol! Thank you David! Hope you love ’em 🙂
Katherine | Love In My Oven
Dawn! Such a great recipe for leftover turkey. My hubby would be over the moon if I made these for him, he’s such a big fan of savoury pies. Pinning and trying for sure! Happy Monday! XO
Valentina
I feel like we always have leftover chicken. And soon it’ll be turkey. Hand pies are so much fun — I love the individual servings, and the flavors you packed in these sound so delicious! 🙂 ~Valentina
Laura
I love this recipe, Dawn! Made all the better (and easier) with puff pastry, I think this will be a great way to use all those leftovers we need to plan for. Thanks so much for the creative but simple recipe!
Haylie / Our Balanced Bowl
Dawn!! These are AMAZING!! Coming back from London, I have had meat pies on the mind and these totally fit the bill! That gravy seems absolutely non negotiable! YUM!
[email protected]
You know how I feel about hand pies…. And savory? All the better! The perfect recipe for all those wonderful leftovers we’re sure to have! Wishing you a happy week, my friend! xoxo
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers
I always give extra points to food that can be eaten out of hand. Knives and forks just slow me down 🙂 Loving these savoury hand pies. Such a great way to use up leftover turkey or chicken, too 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Hahaha! Love it!! Thanks Jennifer 🙂
Leanne
I have leftover chicken in my fridge right now, and I know I’ll have lots of leftover turkey over the holidays! We (including my picky hubby) would love these hand pies. And I’m just loving the addition of boursin! Happy Monday Dawn! Hope your week is off to a great start.
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Thank you Leanne! Same to you 🙂
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen
In a few weeks, we’ll be up to our ears in leftover turkey Dawn, so I’m keeping this recipe in my back pocket. I LOVE savory hand pies! The sweet ones seems to get all the attention, but I’d choose a savory one over a sweet one! Pinned!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Me too! Thanks Mary Ann 🙂
Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen
I’ve never thought to make a savory hand pie but now that you’ve put the idea in my hand, I HAVE to try it. And I totally agree with you about the cozy vibe from the name :). These sound delicious! Have a great week, Dawn!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Woo hoo! Hope you love it, Kelsie! Have a wonderful week too 🙂
Ben|Havocinthekitchen
To me, hand pies are associated with childhood, that’s why I feel some kind of cozy and warm vibes when it comes to them. And while I don’t mind a sweet pie once in a while, savoury fillings are all-time favourite! Delicious version! Love the idea of serving it with greavy, too!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Mine too! Thank you Ben 🙂
Alexandra @ It's Not Complicated Recipes
I love hand pies, and this sounds like a delicious flavour combo, Dawn! 🙂 Yummo!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food
Me too! Thanks Alexandra 🙂