Listen y’all, we all know about chicken and dumplings but this turkey and dumplings recipe is so legit to use when you have a ton of roasted turkey leftovers. The flavor is everything and the whole thing comes together quickly. I make the broth creamy and savory, add some cooked veggies and top with a Southern biscuit style dumpling. It ain’t getting better than this.
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy.
They’re Lovin’ It! Here’s what They’re Sayin’:
“This is the BEST recipe for turkey leftovers! It beats out the usual turkey sandwiches I usually make haha!”
—CAM
How to Make Turkey and Dumplings
Step 1: Add onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook until veggies get somewhat tender and soft then remove and set aside until later.
Step 2: Melt remaining ¼ cup of butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk.
Step 3: Whisk in stock, turn heat back up to medium and allow it to get smooth then bring to a boil then bring in shredded turkey and veggies.
Step 4: In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt and pepper and whisk together. Next, add in buttermilk, egg and melted butter. Mix until just combined. It should be thick.
Step 5: Using a spoon, drop dollops of dough into the pot spacing out somewhat. They will stay on top and won’t sink. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
Step 6: Allow dumplings to cook and puff up without lifting the cover, then test dumpling by cutting in half. If it is all good, then sprinkle with garnish and serve it up boos.
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I'll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Turkey and Dumplings Recipe
Want to Save This Recipe, Boo?
I’ll email this recipe to you, so you can come back to it later!
Equipment
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 1/2 cup salted butter
- 1 large onion finely diced
- 3 celery stalks finely diced
- 5 medium carrots peeled and finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups turkey stock make sure you use a flavorful one or add chicken bouillon cube to yours for additional flavor
- 2 cups cooked turkey shredded
For the Dumplings
- 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 3/4 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 1/2 tbsp salted butter melted
- 1/3 cup chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
For the Chicken
- Add ¼ cup of the butter to large pot over medium heat until melted.
- Add onion, celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Cook until veggies get somewhat tender and soft, about 5-6 minutes then remove and set aside until later.
- Melt remaining ¼ cup of butter over medium-low heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk, allowing it to brown somewhat until it becomes golden brown, about 8-12 minutes.
- Whisk in stock (make sure you are getting the bits of roux stuck to the bottom of the pan too), turn heat back up to medium and allow it to get smooth then bring to a boil.
- Add the shredded turkey and cooked vegetables to the pot and allow sauce to somewhat thicken. Taste for seasoning and add final salt and pepper to taste.
For the Dumplings
- In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder, pepper and whisk together.
- Next add in buttermilk, egg and melted butter until just combined. The mixture should be thick.
- Using a spoon, drop dollops of dough into the pot spacing out somewhat. They will stay on top and won’t sink. Cover the pot and reduce heat to low.
- Allow dumplings to cook and puff up without lifting the cover for about 20 minutes, then test dumpling by cutting in half. The dough shouldn’t be raw. If it needs more time, cover with lid and allow to cook a bit longer.
- Scoop into bowls and sprinkle with parsley to serve.
Notes
How to Store and Reheat
Make sure you cool down your turkey with dumplings completely then pop in an airtight container and pop in the fridge. You can gently reheat your portions in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until everything is warmed through and the dumplings are soft again. You can also quickly reheat in the microwave by transferring individual servings to a microwave-safe dish and microwave for about 2 minutes stopping and stirring around the dumplings and stew in 30 second intervals until reheated. Easy peasy y’all.How long will turkey and dumplings last in the fridge?
It should stay all good in the fridge for up to 4 days.Can I freeze?
Absolutely boos! Add to a heavy-duty freezer bag or add to an airtight container and don’t forget to add the date. It should last about 3 months in the freezer. Just let it thaw in the fridge overnight before heating again.Nutrition
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overmix the Dumpling Dough: Just mix the dough ingredients just until combined. This will prevent them from being tough and chewy.
- Save Those Turkey Drippings: If you want to add even more flavor to your broth, save those Thanksgiving turkey drippings to add more depth and richness to the mix.
- Go Homemade: If you have leftover turkey bones or carcass, simmer those bad boys with veggies, herbs and water to make something super rich and flavorful.
Ingredient Notes
- Turkey: Feel free to replace the roasted turkey with shredded rotisserie chicken.
- Butter: I use salted butter through the recipe but you can swap with unsalted and add in salt until it tastes as good as you like it!
- Buttermilk: If you don’t have any around, make your own boos. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to each cup of milk. Let it curdle and thicken before using in the recipe.
Recipe Help
I would make the dumpling dough ahead of time and just store in the fridge. You can also cook the stew ahead and reheat and assemble before you are ready to eat.
pinterest 
facebook 
twitter 
email
I made this with chicken instead of turkey and it was fabulous. I was so excited to see a recipe that didn’t rely on garlic for flavor that I made it right away! I can’t have garlic and I really appreciate that. Also, the close up of how a properly cooked dumpling should look is very helpful. Mmmm! (I can’t get this to type right, all caps is happening without my consent.)
I am so glad you liked it! Chicken sounds great in this!
This is the BEST recipe for turkey leftovers! It beats out the usual turkey sandwiches I usually make haha!
Wow, this looks so hearty and comforting.!
The perfect soup to use up my leftover turkey from my holiday gathering! Love this turkey and dumplings idea and will definitely make it.
Love the combination of ingredients here. This would be perfect for Thanksgiving. Thanks for sharing.
great recipe, and yes sourcing turkey all year round is fine with me, but the sourcing is sometimes hard outside of November! Thank you