National Great American Pot Pie Day – Sep. 23, 2026

National Great American Pot Pie Day
Categories:
Tags:
AmericanBakingCooking
Where:
United States
Date change rule:
Every September 23
Holiday emoji:
🥧

National Great American Pot Pie Day arrives every September 23, inviting us to indulge in the ultimate comfort food. From its ancient origins to its modern American variations, pot pie offers a hearty, satisfying meal for any occasion. Bake your own, try a new recipe, or visit a local eatery to celebrate this delicious day!

Want to sponsor National Great American Pot Pie Day? Learn how

Expected National Great American Pot Pie Day Deals

While we await official 2027 promotions to drop, history shows that National Great American Pot Pie Day often brings tasty deals. Look for specials from brands like Marie Callender’s, a key player in popularizing frozen pot pies, and Boston Market, known for its rotisserie chicken pot pies. Local bakeries and diners, such as Perkins Restaurant & Bakery and Village Inn, may offer discounts or limited-time pot pie flavors. Grocery stores like Kroger and Walmart often feature sales on frozen pot pies and ingredients for homemade versions. Keep an eye out for promotions from ingredient brands like Pillsbury for pie crusts. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September 23 approaches.

Platform Guide for National Great American Pot Pie Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PotPieDay. Share mouth-watering photos of your homemade or favorite restaurant pot pies.

TikTok

Tag @www.nationaltoday.com and use #PotPieDay. Film a quick tutorial for a unique pot pie recipe or a taste-test review.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PotPieDay. Ask your community to share their go-to pot pie fillings and crust secrets.

Social Media Tips for National Great American Pot Pie Day

Individuals

Experiment with a new pot pie recipe, perhaps a vegetarian version or a dessert pot pie. Share your culinary adventure with friends and family.

Creators

Produce a video showcasing the evolution of pot pie through history, featuring different regional American variations. Engage your audience with a poll on their favorite fillings.

Brands

Host a 'Pot Pie Perfection' contest, inviting followers to submit their best pot pie creations for a chance to win prizes. Partner with a local food charity to donate meals.

Top Brands for National Great American Pot Pie Day

  1. Marie Callender's

    Founded in 1948 by Marie Callender in Long Beach, California, this brand is synonymous with frozen pot pies. Known for its savory chicken and beef pot pies, it has made the comforting dish accessible to millions across America.

  2. Boston Market

    Established in 1985 in Newton, Massachusetts, Boston Market is a fast-casual restaurant chain famous for its rotisserie chicken. Their chicken pot pie, featuring tender chicken and vegetables in a flaky crust, is a beloved menu staple.

  3. Pillsbury

    Founded in 1869 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Pillsbury is a leading American brand of baking products. Their refrigerated pie crusts are a go-to for home bakers looking to create delicious pot pies with ease.

  4. Campbell's

    Founded in 1869 in Camden, New Jersey, Campbell's is an iconic American food company. Their condensed cream soups, particularly Cream of Chicken and Cream of Mushroom, are foundational ingredients in countless pot pie recipes.

  5. Stouffer's

    Originating from a small Cleveland restaurant in 1924, Stouffer's became a pioneer in frozen foods. Their line of frozen pot pies, including turkey and beef varieties, offers convenient and hearty meal solutions for busy households.

  6. Kroger

    Founded in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is the largest supermarket chain in the United States by revenue. They offer a wide array of ingredients for homemade pot pies, as well as their own private-label frozen pot pie options.

  7. Conagra Brands

    Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Conagra Brands is a major American food company with a portfolio that includes many popular brands. They are a significant player in the frozen food market, including brands that produce pot pies and related ingredients.

National Great American Pot Pie Day Hero

Marie Callender

Marie Callender was the visionary entrepreneur who founded the eponymous restaurant chain and frozen food brand. Starting with a small bakery in Orange, California, in 1948, she built an empire based on her delicious pies, including her famous chicken pot pies. Her commitment to quality and comfort food made pot pies a household staple across America, cementing her legacy as a culinary icon.

History of National Great American Pot Pie Day

Pot pies are one of the best solutions for a savory tooth, and the best excuse to eat some carbs without any guilt would be on a day created just for it. These meat-filled pastries have been around for longer than you might think, and have been eaten in nations all across the world since their inception.

The history of pot pies can be traced back to the Neolithic Age around 9500 B.C. by discoveries made by archaeologists. At the time, the Greeks cooked meats mixed with other ingredients in open pastry shells, which were called ‘artocreas.’ This treat then spread to the Romans, and was prepared with various meats, oysters, mussels, lampreys, and fish and included a crust made of a flour and oil mixture, which was served at banquets. After this, pot pies spread across medieval Europe during the Crusades and were even nicknamed by the royalty.

In the 16th century, the English gentry revived the custom of serving pot pies and called them meat pies. This obsession soon spread to the New World when the first American settlers took their pot pie recipes with them when they moved westward.

Pot pie can be prepared in a number of ways; in a skillet, baking dish, or pie oven. There are also many recipes and ingredients that can be used to fill and make this dish, including turkey, ham, seafood, potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peas. Finally, the gravy and seasonings make this flaky pastry irresistible.

National Great American Pot Pie Day was created in 2002 by Marie Callender’s, the pot pie and frozen food company. It has ever since been celebrated annually on September 23.

National Great American Pot Pie Day timeline

9500 B.C.
The Origin of Pot Pies

Pot pies originate in the Neolithic Age by discoveries made by archaeologists.

1500s
The Pies Must Live On

In the 16th century, the English gentry revive the custom of serving pot pies.

1951
Pot Pies Get Frozen

The first frozen pot pie is created by the C.A. Swanson company and was made with chicken.

2002
Pot Pie Dedication

National Great American Pot Pie Day is created by Marie Callender's, the pot pie and frozen food company.

How Businesses Can Celebrate National Great American Pot Pie Day

Local restaurants, bakeries, and delis can celebrate National Great American Pot Pie Day by featuring special pot pie menus, offering discounts, or introducing unique, limited-time flavors. Consider a ‘build-your-own pot pie’ special or a tasting flight of mini pot pies. Grocery stores can create engaging displays of pot pie ingredients and frozen options, perhaps with recipe cards. Food trucks could offer gourmet pot pie variations, while cooking schools might host workshops on mastering the perfect crust or filling. Partner with a local food bank to donate meals for every pot pie sold, aligning with the comfort food theme.

National Great American Pot Pie Day FAQs

When is National Great American Pot Pie Day?

National Great American Pot Pie Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, September 23, offering a mid-week opportunity to enjoy this beloved comfort food. It’s the perfect occasion to gather ingredients and bake a fresh pie.

How many pot pies are consumed annually in the U.S.?

While exact figures vary, millions of frozen and homemade pot pies are consumed across the U.S. each year. This enduring popularity highlights its status as a go-to comfort meal, especially during cooler months.

What are the most popular types of pot pie?

Chicken pot pie reigns supreme as the most popular variety, often filled with creamy chicken, peas, carrots, and potatoes under a golden crust. Beef pot pie, with its rich gravy and tender chunks of meat, is another perennial favorite.

What is the history of pot pie in America?

Pot pies boast a long history, with savory filled pastries dating back to ancient times. In America, they became a staple, evolving from colonial-era recipes to the convenient frozen versions popularized by brands like Marie Callender’s, reflecting a rich culinary heritage.

How To Celebrate National Great American Pot Pie Day

  1. Cook up some pot pies

    There are so many pot pie recipes available for you to try out. Today will be the perfect day to learn a new recipe, and also enjoy the savory fruits of your labor.

  2. Enjoy a pot pie

    If you need an excuse to get some carbs in, this day sets you up perfectly for that purpose. You can purchase frozen pot pies, eat some of your homemade ones, or go out for a meal with family and friends. However you choose to do it, don’t let the day go by without enjoying the satisfaction of a freshly made pot pie.

  3. Share your tasty adventure

    Head to any platform of your choice to share recipes, fun facts, or anything relevant to the day. Use the hashtag #GreatAmericanPotPieDay to join in the conversation.

5 Facts About Pot Pie You Should Know

  1. It used to be a very lively dish

    According to Smithsonian magazine, cooks from the Roman Empire era would sometimes make pot pies with a living bird that would burst through the pie shell when cut and fly out.

  2. They were once called sea pies

    There was a version of pot pies called sea pies, which typically included pigeons, turkey, veal and mutton, and was made aboard ships.

  3. They were originally crustless

    Originally, pot pie referred to a crustless mixture of meat pie ingredients and noodles, stewed in a pot on the stovetop.

  4. It was renamed by Americans

    Pot pies, as we now know them, were called different names at different points in history, including ‘artocreas,’ sea pies, meat pies, and even coffins.

  5. You can use almost any protein of choice

    Pot pies are not just for chicken, or even meat, there are also pot pies made from fish products.

Why We Love National Great American Pot Pie Day

  1. It’s a historic celebration

    Pot pies have had a long history with us. Its name has been changed one too many times, some might say, and its recipes change with various traditions and cultures. This day allows us an opportunity to celebrate one of the oldest savory dishes known.

  2. There is no one way to make pot pies

    The possibilities are numerous when it comes to making pot pies. This gives room for the creation of various recipes that vary in terms of stuffing choices, cooking choices, and even eating choices.

  3. Pot pies made a major comeback

    After being in the ancient eras and history, pot pies almost became a thing of the past. That was until the 16th century when the English gentry revived the custom of serving pot pies and called them meat pies. Ever since then, it came to stay and spread across the entire world.

National Great American Pot Pie Day dates

Year Date Day
2026 September 23 Wednesday
2027 September 23 Thursday
2028 September 23 Saturday
2029 September 23 Sunday
2030 September 23 Monday