Description
This Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings recipe is the ultimate comfort food, perfect for using up leftover turkey. Tender turkey and vegetables simmer gently in a flavorful broth, topped with fluffy homemade dumplings cooked right in the slow cooker. An easy, hearty meal that’s perfect for cozy evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 2 lbs. leftover turkey, shredded or cubed (about 3–4 cups)
- 6 cups turkey or chicken broth (can use leftover turkey drippings that have been degreased)
- 1 large yellow onion, chopped
- 3 carrots, peeled and sliced
- 3 celery ribs, sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, or 1 teaspoon dried
- 1 tbsp. fresh sage chopped, or ½ teaspoon dried (can substitute with oregano)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Dumpling Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tbsp. baking powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
- Combine ingredients in slow cooker. Add the shredded or cubed leftover turkey, broth, chopped onion, sliced carrots, sliced celery, minced garlic, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper to the slow cooker. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
- Slow cook the soup base. Cover the slow cooker and cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours to allow flavors to meld and vegetables to soften.
- Prepare the dumpling dough. About 30 minutes before the soup is done, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the milk and melted butter, stirring gently until just combined into a slightly sticky dough.
- Add dumplings to the soup. Drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough evenly onto the surface of the soup in the slow cooker. Gently push the dumplings down so they are submerged in the broth.
- Cook the dumplings. Cover the slow cooker again and cook on HIGH for an additional hour with the lid closed, allowing the dumplings to puff and cook through.
- Incorporate the dumplings. Once cooked, gently stir the soup to evenly distribute the dumplings throughout.
- Serve and garnish. Ladle the turkey and dumpling soup into bowls and garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or thyme if desired. Serve hot for a comforting meal.
Notes
- This recipe is perfect for using up leftover turkey after a holiday meal.
- Dumplings must be cooked with the lid closed to ensure they steam properly.
- You can substitute milk with a lactose-free alternative if needed.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper before serving.
- Leftover soup can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; dumplings may soften over time.
Keywords: slow cooker turkey and dumplings, leftover turkey recipe, turkey soup, comfort food, slow cooker soup, dumplings