If you’re looking for a soul-warming dish that turns your holiday turkey into a cozy meal everyone will rave about, this Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe is an absolute winner. It’s the culinary equivalent of a comforting hug, blending tender turkey, vibrant vegetables, and fluffy dumplings all simmered together into a rich, savory stew. This recipe takes simple ingredients and elevates them with easy techniques, making it perfect for transforming those leftovers into a brand-new, crave-worthy lunch or dinner. Trust me, once you try this stew, you’ll be looking forward to your turkey leftovers every year!

Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Every ingredient in this stew plays a crucial role, from building the base’s depth of flavor to adding texture and bursts of freshness. The magic lies in the balance — savory vegetables, aromatic herbs, and a luscious broth, all topped with satisfying dumplings.

Butter: Adds richness to both the vegetable sauté and the roux for that velvety stew texture.
Onions: Yellow, white, or sweet, they give a naturally sweet and savory foundation.
Carrots: Offer a subtle sweetness and vibrant color.
Celery: Brings a mild crunch and depth of flavor to the stew base.
Frozen peas: A burst of color and subtle sweetness, balancing the savory notes.
Garlic: Minced, for that essential aromatic boost.
Turkey broth: The heart and soul of the stew, providing deep, meaty flavor.
Apple cider vinegar: A splash brightening and lifting the overall taste.
MSG (optional): Enhances umami for that comforting, savory punch.
Thyme (dried or fresh): Earthy herbaceousness grounding the stew’s flavor.
All-purpose flour: Used twice — in the roux for thickening and in dumplings for fluffiness.
Cooked turkey: The star ingredient, shredded or chopped for tender bites.
Chives: Fresh, chopped for the dumpling dough and garnish, adding a subtle oniony zing.
Egg and buttermilk: Bind the dumplings and keep them light and airy.
Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that make the dumplings fluffy.
Salt and black pepper: To balance and enhance all the flavors.

How to Make Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Vegetables

Start by dicing or slicing your onions, carrots, and celery so that they cook evenly. Having your dumpling ingredients ready and measured out at this stage saves time later and keeps the cooking process smooth. This prep sets the foundation for a beautiful stew base that’s fragrant and flavorful.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables

Heat the butter in a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven and gently sauté the onions, carrots, and celery until the onions turn translucent and release their natural sweetness. Adding minced garlic, thyme, and MSG (if using) at this point intensifies the aroma. Cooking the veggies this way unlocks their sugars and layers a wonderful base flavor for your stew.

Step 3: Make the Roux

Next, melt the remaining butter and stir in the flour to create a roux, cooking it slowly until it reaches a light golden color. This step is crucial because it thickens your stew and adds a slightly nutty taste that’s rich and satisfying. Patience here pays off with a beautifully smooth and luscious stew.

Step 4: Add Broth and Combine

Slowly pour in the turkey broth while whisking to scrape up all the juicy browned bits stuck to the pan – those morsels are flavor gold. Bring to a low simmer so that it thickens just enough, then stir in a splash of apple cider vinegar for brightness, shredded turkey, and frozen peas. This combination grounds the stew in hearty, comforting flavor and vibrant bursts of taste.

Step 5: Prepare Dumpling Dough

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, chives, minced garlic, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Combine the egg and buttermilk, then gently mix with the dry ingredients to form a loose, shaggy dough. Be careful not to overmix; you want the dumplings tender and fluffy, not dense.

Step 6: Add Dumplings to Stew

Use a tablespoon to drop scoops of the dumpling dough onto the simmering stew, spacing them out so they have room to puff up. This part always feels like magic, watching these little dough pillows expand as they cook in the flavorful broth.

Step 7: Cook Dumplings

Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let the dumplings steam for 15 to 20 minutes. Resist the urge to lift the lid too often; this steam cooking is what makes dumplings perfectly fluffy and tender. When done, they’ll be irresistible little clouds nestled in the stew.

Step 8: Season and Garnish

Give your stew a final taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed. I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of fresh chives to add a pop of color and oniony brightness that contrasts beautifully with the rich stew. Serve hot, and prepare to be comforted!

How to Serve Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh chopped chives or parsley are fantastic for a fresh green touch and subtle sharpness that lightens every spoonful. A little cracked black pepper right before serving adds a gentle kick and visual appeal. These simple garnishes lift the stew from great to show-stopping.

Side Dishes

This stew is wonderfully hearty on its own, but a warm crusty bread or soft dinner rolls make perfect companions to soak up the delicious sauce. For a lighter touch, serve with a crisp green salad that adds refreshing crunch and balance.

Creative Ways to Present

Consider serving the stew in individual bowls with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt to add creamy tang. You can also ladle it over mashed potatoes or polenta for a comforting layered dish. For a rustic touch, serve it in a bread bowl — edible, cozy, and incredibly fun!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe keeps beautifully when cooled completely and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It remains delicious for up to 3 days, making it perfect for easy lunches or dinners throughout the week.

Freezing

This stew freezes well, but it’s best to freeze the dumplings and stew separately if you can. If combined, dumplings may change texture slightly after thawing. Use freezer-safe containers and consume within 2 months for optimal flavor and quality.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat to avoid overcooking the dumplings. Stir occasionally until warmed through. If the stew thickens too much, a splash of broth or water will loosen it back up without sacrificing flavor.

FAQs

Can I use fresh turkey broth instead of store-bought?

Absolutely! Fresh homemade turkey broth adds incredible depth and richness to this stew, but a good quality store-bought broth will work perfectly in a pinch.

Is it okay to substitute the buttermilk in the dumplings?

You can substitute buttermilk with milk mixed with a tablespoon of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar as a quick homemade version that keeps the dumplings tender and light.

Can I make this stew vegetarian?

Yes! Swap the turkey broth for vegetable broth and skip the turkey, or substitute it with hearty mushrooms or plant-based meat alternatives for a satisfying vegetarian version.

How do I know when the dumplings are fully cooked?

The dumplings should be fluffy, fully puffed, and no longer doughy inside. You can test one by gently breaking it open after the cooking time to ensure it’s cooked through.

Can I freeze leftovers with dumplings already cooked in the stew?

While freezing with dumplings is possible, they can sometimes become a bit dense or gummy when thawed. For best texture, freeze the stew and dumplings separately and combine when reheating.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly special about turning leftovers into a dish that feels like it was made from scratch with love. This Leftover Turkey and Dumplings Stew Recipe is cozy, flavorful, and endlessly satisfying — a perfect way to breathe new life into your turkey leftovers. I can’t wait for you to try it and share the warmth it brings to your table!