Curl up with a cozy bowl of something truly delicious when you enjoy this Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup. A harmonious medley of fresh vegetables and aromatic herbs elevates your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers, all blended in a rich, creamy soup base with incredibly soft, pillowy homemade dumplings. This recipe isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting embrace in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings and making the most of your holiday bounty.

Heartwarming Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup

As the crisp air signals the arrival of colder weather and the vibrant hues of autumn leaves paint the landscape, it’s officially soup season! There’s something inherently comforting about a steaming bowl of homemade soup, especially when it’s crafted from the delicious remnants of a festive holiday meal. If you find yourself in the delightful dilemma of what to do with all that marvelous Thanksgiving turkey, look no further. This Leftover Turkey and Dumpling Soup is not just a recipe; it’s a brilliant way to extend the holiday cheer and savor those cherished flavors in an entirely new and exciting form. It truly hits all the right notes for a satisfying, wholesome, and incredibly flavorful meal.

What makes this soup so exceptionally good? It’s a symphony of textures and tastes. While the tender, savory pieces of leftover turkey are undeniably a star, it’s hard to pick just one favorite element. Is it the luxurious, thick, and creamy broth that envelops every spoonful? Or perhaps the delightful blend of aromatic herbs, carefully selected to complement the turkey and vegetables? Then there are the perfectly cooked, tender vegetables – carrots, celery, and potatoes – adding substance and natural sweetness. Each component plays a crucial role in creating a balanced and deeply satisfying experience. Honestly, the magic lies in the combination of all these mouthwatering elements, culminating in what might just be the best soup you’ll make all season.

And we haven’t even talked about the star of the show for many: the homemade dumplings! Forget complicated recipes; these dumplings are surprisingly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients and come together in no time. But the real wonder is how these light, fluffy dumplings transform into the softest little pillows, gently floating in the creamy Thanksgiving-inspired broth. Their texture is simply divine, soaking up all the rich flavors of the soup, making every bite an absolute delight. They are truly drool-worthy and add that ultimate touch of comfort to an already incredible dish.

Essential Ingredients for Your Turkey & Dumpling Soup

Crafting this soulful soup requires a blend of pantry staples and, of course, your wonderful Thanksgiving leftovers. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need to create this comforting masterpiece:

For the Creamy Soup Base:

• Butter: Unsalted butter is highly recommended, as it gives you complete control over the soup’s overall sodium content. It forms the rich foundation for sautéing your aromatics.
• Onion: A classic white onion adds a sweet and pungent base flavor, though a yellow onion would also work beautifully, providing a similar depth.
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic delivers the most vibrant aroma and flavor, but good quality pre-minced garlic is a convenient alternative if you’re short on time.
• Dried Herbs: A classic poultry blend of dried thyme, sage, and parsley works harmoniously, evoking the comforting flavors of Thanksgiving. These herbs are crucial for that signature savory profile.
• Salt: Kosher salt is preferred for its pure taste and easy control, enhancing all the other flavors.
• Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper provides a bright, pungent kick that perfectly complements the rich broth.
• Flour: All-purpose flour is key to creating a roux, which thickens the soup to that desirable creamy consistency.
• Broth: You have the perfect opportunity to use leftover turkey broth from your Thanksgiving feast, which will add incredible depth. Alternatively, a good quality homemade chicken stock or store-bought chicken broth will also yield excellent results.
• Veggies: A trio of carrots, celery, and yellow potatoes forms the hearty vegetable base. These cook down to tender perfection, adding natural sweetness and earthy flavors.
• Turkey: Shredded leftover turkey is the star! Both white and dark meat work wonderfully, adding a rich, savory protein boost.
• Heavy Cream: This is the secret to achieving that wonderfully decadent, rich, and velvety smooth broth that makes this soup so irresistible. Don’t skip it for maximum creaminess!

For the Fluffy Stuffing Dumplings:

• All-Purpose Flour: The structural backbone of your dumplings, giving them form and chew.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leavening agents are essential for creating light, airy, and pillowy dumplings that aren’t dense or gummy.
• Kosher Salt: A touch of salt balances the flavors in the dumpling dough.
• Leftover Stuffing: This is the brilliant addition! Using your leftover stuffing infuses the dumplings with incredible flavor and a unique texture, making them a true extension of your holiday meal.
• Buttermilk: The acidity in buttermilk reacts with the leavening agents to create extra tender and flavorful dumplings. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to regular milk and letting it sit for 5-10 minutes.

Pro Tips for a Perfect Turkey & Dumpling Soup

How Do I Know if the Dumplings Are Fully Cooked?

Ensuring your dumplings are cooked all the way through is crucial for their delicious, pillowy texture. The easiest way to check is to simply test one! At the end of the recommended cooking time (usually 10-15 minutes after adding them to the soup), carefully remove a dumpling from the pot using a slotted spoon. Gently cut it in half with a knife. If the center is uniformly soft, light, and cooked through with no raw or doughy bits, then your dumplings are ready. If you notice any uncooked dough, simply pop the dumpling back into the pot, cover it again, and continue cooking the soup for a few more minutes, then test again. Don’t worry, a few extra minutes won’t hurt the soup!

How Long Will This Soup Stay Fresh? And Can It Be Frozen?

This delightful soup is excellent for meal prepping and enjoying throughout the week. When stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, it will remain fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. This makes it perfect for packing in lunches or enjoying for a quick, comforting dinner.

When it comes to reheating, you have a couple of great options. The microwave works perfectly fine for a quick warm-up; simply reheat in 30-second increments, stirring occasionally to ensure the heat is evenly distributed and prevent scorching. However, for the best results and to maintain the soup’s creamy texture, reheating gently on the stovetop over low to medium heat is often preferred. Stir frequently until heated through, adding a splash of extra broth or water if the soup has thickened too much overnight.

Yes, this soup can absolutely be frozen, which is fantastic for long-term storage! For optimal texture, especially with the dumplings, I recommend freezing the soup and dumplings separately if possible. If you freeze them together, the dumplings might become a little softer upon thawing and reheating, but they will still be delicious. To reheat from frozen, allow it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then warm gently on the stovetop. This helps the flavors meld beautifully again and prevents the soup from separating.

Cozy Up with More of My Favorite Homemade Soups!

If you love the comforting embrace of a warm soup, explore some of my other cherished recipes:

• Nourishing Pumpkin Wild Rice Soup: A hearty and flavorful vegan option.
• The Best Chicken Noodle Soup: A timeless classic for any season.
• Instant Pot Minestrone Soup: Quick, easy, and packed with vegetables.
• Cheesy Potato Soup: The ultimate indulgence for cheese and potato lovers.

Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe

By:
Julie Chiou

A delightful medley of vegetables and aromatic herbs, combined with your favorite Thanksgiving leftovers, creates a creamy, rich soup featuring soft, homemade stuffing dumplings. This recipe transforms holiday remnants into a comforting and deeply satisfying meal.

Prep Time:
20 minutes

Cook Time:
50 minutes

Total Time:
1 hour 10 minutes

Servings:
6

Rating:
4.67 out of 5 stars (based on 3 votes)

Print Recipe

Equipment

• Dutch oven or large soup pot

Ingredients

For the Soup:

• 2 tablespoons (28 g) unsalted butter
• ½ white onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 6 cups (1420 ml) chicken broth or leftover turkey broth
• 1 cup (128 g) chopped carrots
• 3 stalks of celery, chopped
• 2 cups (420 g) yellow potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 cup (237 ml) heavy cream
• 2 cups (199 g) shredded leftover turkey

For the Dumplings:

• 1 ¾ cup (219 g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups (400 g) leftover stuffing
• 1 ½ cup (355 ml) buttermilk

Instructions

1. Melt the butter in a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it becomes translucent and softened, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, sage, parsley, salt, and ground black pepper. Continue to cook for another 2 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant and the herbs are aromatic.
3. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the onion and herb mixture. Whisk continuously for about 3 minutes, allowing the flour to cook and form a light roux, which will help thicken the soup.
4. Gradually pour in the chicken broth (or turkey broth), whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Continue to whisk until the soup begins to thicken to a light gravy consistency, which should take about 5 minutes.
5. Add the chopped carrots, celery, and 1-inch pieces of yellow potatoes to the pot. Reduce the heat to low-medium, cover the pot, and let the soup simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the potatoes and other vegetables are slightly tender.
6. While the soup is simmering, prepare the dumplings. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt.
7. Fold in the leftover stuffing into the dry ingredients. Pour in the buttermilk and stir gently with a spoon or spatula just until all the ingredients are combined and a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
8. Once the vegetables in the soup are tender, stir in the heavy cream and the shredded leftover turkey. Allow it to heat through for a minute. Then, using a small spoon or cookie scoop, drop 1 to 2-inch balls of the dumpling mixture into the hot soup. Aim for about 15 dumplings, depending on their size.
9. Cover the pot again and let the dumplings cook in the simmering soup for 10 to 15 minutes. This allows the dumplings to steam and cook through completely, becoming light and fluffy.
10. To verify the dumplings are fully cooked, remove one from the pot and carefully cut it open. The center should be uniformly cooked with no raw, doughy spots. If not, return it to the pot and continue cooking for a few more minutes.
11. Remove the soup from the heat and let it cool for about 15-20 minutes before serving. Garnish with freshly minced parsley, if desired, for a touch of freshness and color.

Notes

This comforting soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days, making it perfect for enjoyable leftovers. For the best reheating experience, gently warm on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 serving, Calories: 596 kcal, Carbohydrates: 65 g, Protein: 19 g, Fat: 29 g, Saturated Fat: 14 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 3 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 9 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 95 mg, Sodium: 2131 mg, Potassium: 855 mg, Fiber: 5 g, Sugar: 7 g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition information can vary for a variety of reasons. For the most precise nutritional data, use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe.

The default measuring system for this website is US Customary. Unit conversions are provided for convenience and as a courtesy only. While we strive to provide accurate unit conversions, please be aware that there may be some discrepancies.