Need a fun, no-stress way to reinvent your holiday leftovers? These Upside Down Puff Pastry Tarts with Turkey Leftovers are warm, flaky, deeply savoury, and honestly irresistible! They look like something you picked up from a fancy bakery, but they come together with the ease of making a turkey sandwich. A handful of turkey, a scoop of roasted veggies, a spoonful of leftover gravy, and a square of puff pastry on top. Into the oven they go and out comes pure comfort.
This is exactly the kind of cooking I love after a big feast. Simple steps, big payoff, and a dish that makes everyone at the table smile. Turkey works so naturally in these easy entertaining moments because it brings great flavour, satisfying protein, and familiar festive comfort. And when you choose Ontario Turkey, you are also supporting hardworking local farmers who deliver fresh, delicious turkey all season long.
This recipe was made in collaboration with Ontario Turkey; all of the opinions in this post are our own.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Uses leftovers creatively: Turns turkey dinner leftovers into a brand new dish.
- Easy preparation: No fancy techniques, just assemble, chill, bake and flip.
- Individual portions: Perfect for serving guests or customizing toppings.
- Impressive presentation: The upside-down finish with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce looks restaurant-worthy.
- Flexible ingredients: Swap in whatever leftover veggies or proteins you have on hand.
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Ingredients (Makes 4 Individual Tarts)
Filling
- Leftover turkey
- Leftover roasted vegetables (carrots, Brussels sprouts, onions)
- Leftover stuffing
- Frozen peas
- Leftover gravy
- Salt and pepper
Pastry
- Frozen puff pastry
- Neutral oil
- Egg
Finishing
- Mashed potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional)
See the recipe card below for exact quantities.
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly brush the parchment with oil.
Form the Tarts
Divide the leftover turkey, roasted vegetables, stuffing, and peas into four compact rectangular mounds on the prepared sheet pan, leaving space between each mound. Spoon a little gravy over each mound and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Prepare the Puff Pastry
On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll the puff pastry into a 10 by 13-inch rectangle with a rolling pin. Cut into four equal rectangles and place one puff pastry rectangle over each mound of filling, pressing gently around the edges so the pastry seals to the baking sheet.
Chill for Maximum Puff
Refrigerate the tray for 15 to 30 minutes. For a faster option, freeze the tray for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold filling and cold pastry help the pastry puff properly. Avoid baking at room temperature.
Score and Egg Wash
Lightly score the tops of the pastry with 2 or 3 shallow lines. Brush with the whisked egg.
Bake
Bake at 400°F until the pastry is puffed and golden brown.
- From chilled: 22 to 25 minutes
- From frozen: 23 to 26 minutes
Check on the earlier side for a lighter bake, or go longer for a deeper golden crust like ours.
Flip and Finish
Let the tarts rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip each one onto a plate so the filling side is facing up. Add a scoop of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Pour warm gravy over the mashed potatoes and garnish with herbs if you like.
Serve and Enjoy
Serve with extra gravy and leftover warmed cranberry sauce on the side. Optional, Sprinkle with chopped chives and add a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet and savoury twist.
Tips
- Cold ingredients produce the best puff.
- Space tarts evenly so heat can circulate.
- Scoring helps the pastry rise without cracking.
Substitutions
- Turkey: Use leftover chicken, ham or roast beef.
- Roasted vegetables: Swap in squash, sweet potatoes or green beans.
- Stuffing: Replace with extra vegetables or mashed potatoes if you are out.
- Peas: Try corn or finely chopped green beans.
- Puff pastry: Crescent dough works in a pinch but won't puff as dramatically.
📖 Recipe
Upside Down Puff Pastry Tarts with Turkey Leftovers
Ingredients
Filling
- 1 cup leftover turkey roughly chopped
- 1 cup leftover roasted vegetables carrots, Brussels sprouts, onions, roughly chopped
- ½ cup leftover stuffing crumbled
- ¼ cup frozen peas
- ¾ cup leftover gravy plus more for serving
- Salt and pepper to taste
Pastry
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry thawed in the refrigerator
- Neutral oil for brushing the parchment
- 1 egg lightly whisked
Finishing
- Mashed potatoes
- Cranberry sauce
- Fresh parsley or chives finely chopped (optional)
Instructions
Prepare the Oven and Pan
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and lightly brush the parchment with oil.
Form the Tarts
- Divide the leftover turkey, roasted vegetables, stuffing, and peas into four compact rectangular mounds on the prepared sheet pan, leaving space between each mound. Spoon a little gravy over each mound and season lightly with salt and pepper.
Prepare the Puff Pastry
- On a lightly floured piece of parchment, roll the puff pastry into a 10 by 13-inch rectangle with a rolling pin. Cut into four equal rectangles and place one puff pastry rectangle over each mound of filling, pressing gently around the edges so the pastry seals to the baking sheet.
Chill for Maximum Puff
- Refrigerate the tray for 15 to 30 minutes. For a faster option, freeze the tray for 10 to 15 minutes. Cold filling and cold pastry help the pastry puff properly. Avoid baking at room temperature.
Score and Egg Wash
- Lightly score the tops of the pastry with 2 or 3 shallow lines. Brush with the whisked egg.
Bake
- Bake at 400°F until the pastry is puffed and golden brown:– From chilled: 22 to 25 minutes– From frozen: 23 to 26 minutesCheck on the earlier side for a lighter bake, or go longer for a deeper golden crust like ours.
Flip and Finish
- Let the tarts rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Flip each one onto a plate so the filling side is facing up. Add a scoop of mashed potatoes and a spoonful of cranberry sauce. Pour warm gravy over the mashed potatoes and garnish with herbs if you like.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve with extra gravy and leftover warmed cranberry sauce on the side. Optional: Sprinkle with chopped chives and add a drizzle of hot honey for a sweet and savoury twist.
💬Tried this recipe?
- We'd really appreciate a rating and quick review! It helps more home cooks find the recipe, and we love hearing what you think.
Video
Notes
- Cold ingredients produce the best puff.
- Space tarts evenly so heat can circulate.
- Scoring helps the pastry rise without cracking.
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