The name might not seem a fit, but this leftover turkey pie is delicious, easy, and a great way to use up some leftover turkey or chicken. The bechamel sauce makes such a difference!
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Leftovers, for me, are an essential part of Christmas, and these days Thanksgiving. I'm sure part of the reason my mum made such a feast was to enjoy it for a few days. We would always have leftover stuffings and sausages for lunch then the turkey would be repurposed into various dinners.
I don't think I can remember a year when my mum didn't make 'Australian pie', a leftover turkey pie with raisins and bechamel. It's an easy pie to make, a little unusual but so comforting and tasty.
Why 'Australian pie'?
As a child I never questioned the name 'Australian pie' or 'Aus pie' as I always shortened it. It was just that pie my mum always made after Christmas that we all loved. But of course as an adult I wondered why on earth it was called that. I don't even know anyone else who ever had it.
If I look up Australian pie, it gives me Australian meat pies, not any kind of leftover turkey pie. I believe it came from one of my mum's old cookbooks but I don't think there was any kind of explanation. So really, I have no idea but don't let it put you off.
The weird name aside, this leftover turkey pie is also a bit unusual in the ingredients. Turkey (or chicken, as it works for both), raisins and a rich bechamel are not exactly common pairings but they really work, especially when wrapped in pastry.
It's delicious served with some simple sides plus you can take any leftovers for lunch the next day too. I know, leftovers of leftovers, but it is great both cold and warm as the bechamel holds it all together and keeps the meat moist.
How to make this leftover turkey pie
This pie is really easy to make. You just make up a simple pastry in the food processor then line a deep plate or small pie dish. Fill it with turkey, raisins and top with bechamel before putting a pastry layer on top. Bake and enjoy.
A quick tip - I'd recommend cutting out the pastry for the top before the base to make sure it doesn't have any cracks or joins. This matters much less for the bottom where you can piece it together a bit more.
While I've made this here with a shortcrust pastry top and bottom, and it's pretty easy to make the pastry, there's no reason why you couldn't do this as a top crust only pie, or use puff pastry, like my chicken and leek pie. The only thing is with a top crust only, slices aren't exactly portable which is the case with the two crusts, here, making it a great lunch/picnic option.
Australian pie might be an unusual name for this leftover turkey pie, but it's a delicious and easy way to repurpose some leftovers. The bechamel sauce keeps the turkey lovely and moist and holds it all together. The raisins add a delicious burst of sweetness. This leftover turkey pie is simply comforting deliciousness.
Try these other favorite ways to use leftover chicken or turkey:
- Vietnamese chicken salad
- Thai red curry (using leftovers)
- Pastilla (a North African savory pie)
- Thai style leftover chicken Buddha bowl
- Aji de gallina (Peruvian chicken stew)
- Chicken flautas (crisp filled tortillas)
- Plus get more lunch recipes in the archives.
'Australian pie' - leftover turkey pie with raisins and bechamel
Ingredients
For pastry
- 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 240g, or all purpose/plain
- 1 pinch salt
- 4 oz unsalted butter 115g/1 stick - cold
- ⅓ cup milk 90ml - ⅓cup plus 2tsp
For filling
- 200 g cooked turkey or chicken
- ¼ cup raisins 45g
- ½ tablespoon butter 8g
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 cup milk 240ml, ideally warmed
- ½ cup cheddar 20g, finely grated, can also use Jarlesberg or similar
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Put the flour and salt into the food processor. Cut the butter into small pieces, add them to the flour and pulse until it forms a breadcrumb-like texture.
- Add the milk a little at a time and pulse until it comes together - it won't form a ball but will clump. If it doesn't, add a little more milk. If you use AP/plain flour you may need slightly less milk.
- Remove the dough from the food processor, press it together and wrap in cling wrap/film. Chill for approx 30min.
- After it has chilled, preheat the oven to 375F/190C.
- Roll out the dough to about as thin as you are comfortable with (approx 0.1in/3mm). Upturn your baking dish/plate and use the edge to cut a circle for the top of the pie. Put this piece of pastry aside, piece the rest together to form roughly a circle and roll to join up then fill the base of your dish/plate and trim the edges.
- Roughly chop the turkey/chicken and spread across the base of the pie. Scatter over the raisins.
- Melt the butter in a small pan over a medium heat. Add the flour, stir and cook a minute until it becomes slightly nutty. Add the milk about ¼cup at a time, removing from heat as you add the first couple times and mix in before adding more. Warm the sauce, stirring constantly, until it starts to thicken. Add the cheese and egg, mix in well and cook a minute longer then remove from the heat. Pour it over the turkey/chicken and raisins.
- Moisten the edge of the underneath pie crust with either water or milk then put the top that you set aside on top. Press down with your fingers to seal. Brush the top with milk to help it brown (optional) and cut a couple slits in the middle as vents.
- Bake for approx 30 minutes until gently brown on top. Best served warm but also good cold.
Video
Nutrition
See some of my favorite cooking tools and ingredients in the Caroline's Cooking Amazon store.
Plus more ideas to use up your leftovers from around the web:
- Brie Cranberry Turkey Quesadillas by Food Lust People Love
- Bubble Up Hot Brown Casserole by A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Cranberry Chipotle BBQ Chicken Pizza by A Mind “Full” Mom
- Creamed Spinach Turkey Pasta by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Turkey Pot Pie Casserole by Cosmopolitan Cornbread
- Leftover Turkey Pasta with Mushrooms by Cooking Chat
- Leftover Turkey Tortilla Soup by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Turkey Alfredo Stuffed Shells by Palatable Pastime
- Turkey Grilled Cheese with Cranberry and Brie by Life Tastes Good
- Sweet Potato Casserole Waffles by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- Mashed Potato Craisin Bread by Baking Sense
Beth Neels says
Wow this is such a cool pie! I would never have thought to add the raisins to a turkey and bechamel pie, but it really is a great idea! Add a bit of lightness and freshness to the dish! I'm going to have to try this!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I agree it's not the most natural sounding pairing but it really does work so well!
fiona saluk says
but wait wait I'm so intrigued by the mystery around the name!! You never figured it out? We'll have to forever wonder what the Australian bit refers to! This sounds amazing and I love a good bechamel 🙂 Perfect for post Thanksgiving!
Caroline's Cooking says
Ha, I know maybe one of these days I'll discover the background! But in the meantime I will happily continue to enjoy this pie 🙂
Julie Running in a Skirt says
I was super curious what Austrailian Pie was! Love that it uses leftover Turkey. This would be perfect for next month- how tasty!!
Caroline's Cooking says
I'm honestly not sure if that's just the name in my family or wider, although I've never known anyone else to have it either. But they really should, it's so good!
Michelle says
This sounds so delicious! I love the unique flavor combination. A little creamy, sweet and savory all at the same time. It's always good to have some ideas for left over turkey.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, it really is a delicious combination! And agree, ideas for leftovers is always helpful.
Tania @ The Cook's Pyjamas says
I wonder how this pie got it's name. As an Australian I can tell you that it is not served here. Turkey is very rarely seen here, only at Christmas, and even then that is relatively recent. You are quite correct that a traditional Australian pie is a hearty beef pie, served with lots of tomato sauce (or ketchup).
Irrespective of what it is called, turkey & bechamel, wrapped in pastry. You can't go wrong with that.
Caroline's Cooking says
I know what you mean, I really have no idea and it does seem odd. But the result is definitely something delicious!
sarah says
never heard of this before, it sounds great - what do you think about craisins instead of raisins?
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Sarah, I think craisins could definitely work too.
Eileen says
I think this recipe looks delicious. I love the raisins in there.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Eileen, it's a relatively simple combination but works really well!
Liz says
What a fun way to eat leftover turkey! Anything encased in pastry is A-OK with me!
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks Liz, I agree there's something nice about pies and tarts!
Hezzi-D says
Such a lovely pie. I wouldn't have thought to add in raisins
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, they add such a lovely flavor, even if it's not a typical addition!
The Ninja Baker says
Looks fantastic! Love that you use wholewheat flour for the pie crust...Nothing like a recipe from Mom =)
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I am getting to love my wholewheat pastry flour! I agree it's lovely having family recipes.
Laura Dembowski says
I am not usually a fan of turkey but I so want to give this a try. The sweet savory vibe and that gorgeous crust are calling my name.
Caroline's Cooking says
Thanks, I hope you give it a try Laura- you can make it with chicken as well if you want to avoid turkey.