Turkey and dumplings is a stew supper that uses leftover meat and, if you have it, homemade stock from the carcass. Start with leftover turkey that was refrigerated within 2 hours and is still within 3 to 4 days, or thawed safely from the freezer. How long leftovers last and how to store Thanksgiving leftovers cover that window. Heat leftover turkey to 165°F in the finished dish, following USDA leftover reheating guidance. It is a different dish from turkey noodle soup and from turkey pot pie. If you made turkey stock from the carcass, this is one of the best places to use it.
Build a simple stew
In a Dutch oven or heavy pot, cook diced onion, carrot, and celery in a little butter or oil until they soften. Stir in a spoon of flour if you want a slightly thicker broth, then add 6 to 8 cups of turkey or chicken stock. Bring the liquid to a simmer. Add 3 to 4 cups of leftover turkey in large bite-size pieces and any leftover vegetables that still taste good. Simmer until the turkey is thoroughly hot and a thermometer reads 165°F. Season with salt, pepper, and a little thyme or parsley.
Drop the dumplings
While the stew simmers, stir together a simple dumpling dough: about 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and enough milk, around 3/4 to 1 cup, to make a thick batter. Do not overmix. Drop spoonfuls onto the simmering stew, leaving a little space between them. Cover the pot and cook at a steady simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, often 15 to 20 minutes. Avoid lifting the lid early. A dumpling is done when it is fluffy and not doughy in the center.
Serve and store
Ladle stew and dumplings into bowls and serve hot. Cool leftovers in shallow containers and refrigerate within 2 hours. Dumplings soften as they sit, but the stew still needs to be reheated to 165°F, and any leftover gravy-like broth should come back to a boil. For more leftover meals, see the leftovers guide.
Helpful kitchen tools
- OXO Good Grips 1.5-Qt Stainless Mixing Bowl — A mixing bowl is all you need for a simple dumpling dough.
- OXO Good Grips 11-Inch Balloon Whisk — Useful for combining the dry dumpling ingredients with milk or buttermilk.
- TempPro TP19H 1-Second Digital Meat Thermometer — Check that leftover turkey in the stew has reached 165°F.
- OXO Good Grips 2-Cup and 4-Cup Glass Measuring Cup Set — For measuring broth, flour, and milk.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I use boxed stock instead of homemade turkey stock?
Yes. Homemade stock from the carcass has more flavor, but a good boxed stock still makes a solid stew.
Why were my dumplings doughy?
The stew may not have been at a simmer, the lid may have been off too often, or the dumplings needed a few more minutes. Check the center of a dumpling before you serve.
Can I freeze turkey and dumplings?
The stew base freezes better than cooked dumplings, which can turn spongy. If you freeze leftovers, reheat them to 165°F.