Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

It’s that time of year again. Time for the Annual Leftover Turkey Soup. For 2024 we have a hearty, cozy, comforting turkey soup with plenty of vegetables and big fluffy dumplings.

And this year, every single ingredient in the recipe is leftover from cooking the Thanksgiving meal. No need to run out to the market! This is a true LEFTOVER SOUP, everything is on hand from the turkey, to the vegetables, to the herbs and spices, flour and diary!

Turkey Soup with Dumplings Recipe

Turkey Stock

How to Make Turkey Stock

Roasted Turkey Stock

leftover turkey carcass
onion
carrot
celery
parsley sprigs
bay leaves
black peppercorns

After Thanksgiving dinner, break up the carcass and refrigerate (with all its meat, skin, and fat, and any stuffing vegetables) until ready to make stock, usually within 4 days.

Pre-heat oven to 400°F. Spread carcass leftovers on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Roast for 30 minutes or until the bones are nice and browned, but be sure not to burn.

Put the leftovers in one big pot. Cover with filtered water. Then add rough chopped onion, carrot, celery, parsley sprigs, a couple bay leaves, and about 1/4 teaspoon of peppercorns.

Bring it to a boil, skim the scum, then simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Once cooled slightly, remove the carcass with tongs then strain the stock into a clean pot. Discard all the solids, reserving the stock for soup.

Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Turkey Dumpling Soup

Turkey Soup

2 T. butter
1/2 onion, small dice
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery ribs, sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 T. flour
6 c. turkey stock
1 1/2 c. gold potatoes, cubed
sea salt and fresh ground pepper
fresh thyme leaves
2 c. turkey meat, shredded
1/2 c. half n half

In a soup pot, sauté onion, carrot, and celery in butter until softened. Add garlic and cook another minute. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir with a wooden spoon to cook the flour, about 2 minutes. Stir in the turkey stock.

Add potato, salt and pepper to taste, and thyme. Bring to a gentle boil for about 10 minutes. Stir in shredded turkey meat and half n half. Simmer.

Dumplings

1 c. all-purpose flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. fine sea salt
2 T. melted butter
1/2 c. buttermilk
1 T. chopped parsley, plus more for serving

Mix the dry ingredients together. Stir in melted butter and buttermilk until just combined. The dough should be thick and sticky but not overly wet. Fold in parsley.

Scoop balls of dough on top of the simmering soup. Leave plenty room in between the dough balls, as they will expand to almost twice their size. Cover with a tight-filling lid and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover, and let sit 5 minutes before serving.

To Serve

Remove the dumplings from the pot with a slotted spatula and place on a platter. Stir the soup, then ladle soup into bowls. Top soup with a dumpling. Garnish with parsley and fresh ground pepper.

Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Notes

Letting the soup rest for 5 minutes off the heat is about allowing the broth to cool slightly and the flavors to meld. This brief rest gives dumplings a chance to firm up slightly without overcooking. Then serve the dumplings promptly while they’re still hot, fluffy and tender.

A small ice cream scoop works great for spooning the dough, spray with a tiny bit of cooking spray in between scoops.

All the dough may not be needed. Make sure to leave room between the scoops. Space them apart as they will expand.

Don’t peek while cooking the dumplings. Avoid lifting the lid during this time to ensure they cook evenly and puff up.

The dumplings are done when they’re firm and springy to the touch. Test one by cutting it in half—it should be cooked through with no raw dough in the center.

If buttermilk is not on hand, simply mix one half cup of whole milk with one and a half teaspoons of white vinegar or lemon juice. Let sit 10 minutes before using.

Leftover Turkey Soup with Dumplings

Charming Thanksgiving Bowls by Mud Pie.

“be thankful”

“be blessed”

“be grateful”

UPDATE 12/27/24:

LEFTOVER TURKEY RECIPES COLLECTION IS NOW POSTED HERE!

This collection of recipes is designed to make creative use of leftover turkey, transforming it into new and delicious dishes. From charming savory cupcakes to a refreshing turkey glass noodle salad to a collection of seasonal soups, the goal is to provide variety and keep the leftovers from becoming repetitive. Whether you’re craving comfort food or something light and fresh, these ideas offer a little something for everyone.