If you’re looking for the coziest, most satisfying way to revive your holiday leftovers, the Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe is calling your name! This soup takes tender shreds of turkey, aromatic vegetables, and transforms day-old stuffing into pillowy dumplings swimming in fragrant broth. It’s a heartwarming meal that cleverly uses up extra turkey and stuffing, turning common leftovers into a recipe you’ll want to repeat every year. Easy to prepare yet deeply flavorful, this soup brings comfort—and a sense of accomplishment—straight to your table.

Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients strike a perfect balance of simplicity and flavor, each one playing its part in making your Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe shine. From the colorful aromatics to the clever dumpling mix, you’ll recognize these as kitchen staples—but combined, they create something truly special.

Olive oil (2 tablespoons): This adds a subtle richness and helps soften the aromatic veggies, forming the delicious base of your soup.
Onion (1 small, diced): Imparts sweet, savory depth and brings all your soup flavors together.
Carrots (2, peeled and sliced): Contribute a pop of color, natural sweetness, and plenty of nutrition.
Celery (2 stalks, sliced): Essential for that classic soup backbone, celery adds a gentle, earthy crunch.
Garlic (2 cloves, minced): Just the right amount to boost flavor and add aromatic warmth.
Low-sodium turkey or chicken broth (8 cups): Acts as the flavorful canvas that carries all the ingredients and holds everything together.
Cooked turkey (2 cups, shredded): The star of the show; tender shreds nestle perfectly with pillowy dumplings.
Dried thyme (1 teaspoon): Provides woodsy notes that echo classic holiday flavors.
Dried parsley (1 teaspoon): Adds a touch of freshness and a pleasant burst of green.
Salt and pepper (to taste): These basics let you adjust the soup’s seasoning to suit your family’s taste.
Leftover stuffing (1½ cups): Here’s where the magic happens—your stuffing gets a delicious second life as dumplings!
Large egg (1): Helps hold the stuffing dumplings together for a tender, springy texture.
All-purpose flour (¼ cup): Binds with the egg to transform stuffing into dumpling perfection.
Milk (2 tablespoons): Softens the dumpling dough; adjust if your stuffing is very moist.

How to Make Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Aromatics

Begin by heating the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the diced onion, sliced carrots, and celery. Sauté these veggies for 5 to 6 minutes until they start to soften and become fragrant. This step lays down a savory flavor base that brings the whole soup together, so don’t rush it—let those vegetables get perfectly tender!

Step 2: Add Garlic and Broth

Stir in the minced garlic and cook for just a minute longer, letting its aroma fill your kitchen. Now, pour in all the turkey or chicken broth. Bring this mixture gently to a simmer; the bubbling stock will coax every bit of flavor from the sautéed veggies and get your soup ready for its stars.

Step 3: Add Turkey and Seasonings

Once the broth is hot and simmering, add your shredded turkey, dried thyme, and parsley. Taste the broth and season with salt and pepper as needed. Let everything simmer while you move on to the dumplings—you want the flavors to meld and your turkey to become incredibly tender while it heats through.

Step 4: Make the Stuffing Dumplings

While your soup simmers, make the dumplings: In a mixing bowl, combine the leftover stuffing, one egg, flour, and milk. Mix with a spoon or your hands until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms. If your stuffing was especially moist, use less milk or skip it completely. This quick dough is the secret to upgrading holiday leftovers into something crave-worthy!

Step 5: Cook the Dumplings in the Soup

Using a spoon or a small scoop, gently form small dumplings. Drop each one tenderly into the simmering soup. Try not to overcrowd the pot—these dumplings will expand slightly as they cook. Cover the pot with a lid and let them steam in the soup for 10 to 12 minutes. They’ll plump and firm up as they take on all the herby soup flavor—irresistible!

Step 6: Taste and Serve

Once your dumplings are cooked through, give the soup one last taste to adjust seasoning. Serve piping hot, scooping plenty of turkey, veggies, and those golden stuffing dumplings into every bowl. Each spoonful is pure comfort—holiday leftovers, totally transformed.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe

Garnishes

When it comes to topping off your Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe, try fresh chopped parsley, a drizzle of olive oil, or a sprinkle of cracked black pepper. For a pop of color (and freshness), consider scattering a few extra carrot coins or a handful of baby spinach on top just before serving. These garnishes not only add visual appeal but make each bowl feel extra special and loved.

Side Dishes

This hearty soup is a one-bowl meal, but you can certainly round it out for a cozy lunch or dinner. Consider serving it with a crisp green salad drizzled with a citrusy vinaigrette, slices of toasted sourdough, or even simple roasted green beans. These sides are light enough not to overshadow the soup yet make the whole meal feel complete and nourishing.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to wow your guests (or just make leftovers more fun), ladle your Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe into wide mugs for easy sipping by the fire. For a festive touch, serve with mini biscuit “crumb toppers” or sprinkle with cheese crisps. Even a sprinkle of pomegranate seeds can add a playful tartness and a dash of holiday glam.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you find yourself with extra soup, simply allow it to cool completely before transferring it to airtight containers. The soup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days. The dumplings may soak up a bit of broth as they sit, thickening the soup, but the flavor deepens beautifully overnight!

Freezing

You can also make your Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe ahead and freeze portions for future comfort food emergencies! Cool the soup completely, ladle into freezer-safe containers, and freeze for up to three months. For best texture, you may want to freeze the soup and dumplings separately, as the dumplings can become quite soft after thawing.

Reheating

To reheat, simply warm the soup gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat until it’s steaming hot. If the broth has thickened, add a splash of extra stock or water to loosen it up. The dumplings reheat beautifully right in the soup, staying tender and delicious for day-after meals.

FAQs

Can I use chicken instead of turkey in this soup?

Absolutely! If you have leftover chicken, it works just as well in this recipe. The flavors are comforting and familiar whether you use turkey or chicken, making the Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe the ultimate flexible solution for using up what you have.

What if my stuffing is very dry or very moist?

If your stuffing is dry, add the full amount of milk or even a splash more to create a soft dough. If your stuffing is already quite moist, use less or no milk at all so the dumplings don’t fall apart. The key is a dough that holds together, but isn’t overly sticky.

Can I add other vegetables?

Definitely! Feel free to toss in greens like spinach or kale, chopped green beans, or a handful of frozen peas for color and added nutrition. This recipe is very forgiving and a fantastic base for everything you might need to use up after a big holiday meal.

Is this soup suitable for a dairy-free diet?

Yes, with a single swap! Simply use your favorite dairy-free milk or skip the milk entirely in the dumpling mixture if your stuffing is already moist. The rest of the ingredients in the Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe are naturally dairy-free.

How do I know when the dumplings are done?

The dumplings are cooked when they have puffed up and feel firm to the touch, usually about 10 to 12 minutes. You can always cut one open to check—the center should look set and slightly fluffy, not wet or doughy.

Final Thoughts

I truly hope you’ll treat yourself (and maybe a few lucky loved ones) to the Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe this season. It’s not just a way to use up what’s in the fridge—it’s a bowlful of memories and comfort, guaranteed to bring smiles long after the big meal. Give it a try, and you may find yourself saving extra stuffing on purpose next year!

Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup Recipe

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4.8 from 7 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Non-Vegetarian

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Description

This comforting Leftover Turkey and Stuffing Dumpling Soup is a delicious way to use up Thanksgiving leftovers. The hearty soup is loaded with tender turkey, flavorful vegetables, and savory stuffing dumplings, making it a perfect meal for a cozy night in.

Ingredients

Scale

Soup:

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion (diced)
2 carrots (peeled and sliced)
2 celery stalks (sliced)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
8 cups low-sodium turkey or chicken broth
2 cups cooked turkey (shredded)
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Dumplings:

1½ cups leftover stuffing
1 large egg
¼ cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons milk

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Instructions

Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large pot. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery until softened. Add garlic and cook.
Prepare Soup: Pour in broth, turkey, thyme, parsley, salt, and pepper. Simmer.
Make Dumplings: Mix stuffing, egg, flour, and milk to form a dough. Drop spoonfuls into the soup.
Cook Dumplings: Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes until firm. Adjust seasoning and serve hot.