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Turkey dumplings are a delicious and comforting meal that is perfect for the fall and winter months. They are easy to make and you can use up leftover turkey from Thanksgiving or Christmas to create this hearty dish. In this article, I will provide step-by-step instructions on how to make turkey dumplings three different ways using recipes from Food.com, AllRecipes, and Realtree.
Ingredients You Will Need
To make turkey dumplings, you will need:
- Leftover cooked turkey meat, chopped or shredded
- Chicken or turkey broth
- Milk or buttermilk
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Pepper
- Butter or oil
- Frozen vegetables like peas and carrots (optional)
- Herbs and spices like poultry seasoning, garlic, onion (optional)
Method 1: Turkey and Dumplings (Food.com)
This method from Food.com uses leftover turkey pieces along with peas and carrots for a classic turkey dumpling recipe
Instructions:
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Prepare the broth by simmering turkey broth, chicken broth, garlic, peas, carrots, and turkey pieces for 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
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Make the dumpling dough by mixing together flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and melted butter.
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Once the broth is simmering, use a spoon to carefully drop spoonfuls of the dumpling dough into the broth. Cover and cook for 20 minutes.
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After 20 minutes, remove from heat and serve hot.
Tips:
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Use a combination of turkey broth and chicken broth if you don’t have enough turkey broth.
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Season the broth well so the flavors come through once the dumplings are added.
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Work quickly when dropping the dumplings into the broth and don’t peek while they cook.
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You can add more broth if you prefer a soupier consistency.
Method 2: Turkey Dumplings (AllRecipes)
This AllRecipes turkey dumpling recipe uses chopped turkey meat and canned biscuits for a quick and easy version.
Instructions:
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Simmer chopped turkey, water, salt, and pepper for 30-40 minutes to create a broth.
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Roll out refrigerated biscuit dough and cut into 1 x 2 inch pieces.
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Drop biscuit dough pieces into the simmering broth and cook for 15 minutes until done.
Tips:
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Use milk instead of water for more flavor.
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Add herbs like garlic powder, onion powder, and poultry seasoning.
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Stir in vegetables like corn, celery, potatoes, and carrots.
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The canned biscuit dough dumplings come together quickly.
Method 3: Wild Turkey Dumplings (Realtree)
This Realtree recipe uses wild turkey legs and thighs for a hearty, savory dumpling dish.
Instructions:
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Season turkey legs and thighs with salt, pepper, and poultry seasoning. Brown them in oil and butter.
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Add broth, bouillon cubes, and more seasonings. Simmer turkey for 2-3 hours.
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Make dumplings by mixing together flour, baking soda, salt, shortening, and buttermilk.
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Once turkey is tender, drop spoonfuls of dumplings into the broth and simmer.
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Shred turkey meat and return to pot. Add pepper and simmer 15 minutes more.
Tips:
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Works well with tough turkey pieces like thighs and legs.
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Poultry seasoning adds great flavor.
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Simmer the turkey for hours until it shreds easily.
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Drop dumplings directly into the simmering broth.
Common Tips and Tricks
Here are some additional tips to ensure delicious turkey dumplings every time:
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Choose an appropriately sized pot so the dumplings can fit snugly together.
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Chop or shred the turkey into bite-size pieces for the best consistency.
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Season the broth well with salt, pepper, garlic, onion, and poultry seasoning.
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Work quickly when dropping the dumplings into the hot broth.
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Keep the broth at a gentle simmer as the dumplings cook.
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Resist peeking under the lid as the dumplings steam.
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Test doneness by cutting into a dumpling. It should be fluffy on the inside.
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Add milk, broth, or water if you want a thinner, soupier consistency.
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Stir in cooked vegetables like carrots, peas, potatoes, or corn for extra flavor and nutrition.
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Garnish bowls with fresh parsley, green onion, or black pepper.
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Serve hot with crusty bread for dipping in the delicious broth.
Turkey dumplings make for the ultimate comfort food any time of year. You can easily make them with leftover turkey after the holidays, or use chicken if turkey is not available. The simple dough comes together quickly and steams right in the flavorful broth. Follow my instructions for three tasty turkey dumpling recipes. With a few simple tips, you will be able to make this hearty dish that is sure to satisfy. Enjoy big bowls of turkey dumplings on cold winter days!
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Easy Turkey And Dumpling Recipe – An Delicious Leftovers Trick!
FAQ
What are the 3 components of dumplings?
- Typically made from flour, water, and salt
- The type of flour used depends on the type of dumpling
- For example, Chinese shrimp dumplings are made with a combination of wheat and tapioca starch
How to make a dough for dumplings?
- Pour all the flour and water into a mixing bowl. …
- Then, use your hands to gather the dough together. …
- Take the dough out of the bowl and knead it on a surface for 2 to 3 minutes. …
- After several minutes of kneading, you should get a pretty smooth ball of dough. …
- Let the dough rest.
What type of flour is best for dumplings?
These dumplings start with all-purpose flour, which creates structure and holds the other ingredients together. Baking powder is a leavening agent, which means it releases gas that makes the dough expand. It’s responsible for the dumplings’ light and fluffy texture.
How do you make Turkey dumplings?
These moist dumplings packed with turkey flavor are easy and fun to make. Oops! Something went wrong. Our team is working on it. Place turkey, water, salt, and pepper in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 to 40 minutes until a broth has formed. Spread flour on a medium cutting board or another flat surface.
How do you make a thicker base for Turkey & dumplings?
For a thicker base, add a cornstarch slurry to your turkey and dumplings in the last few minutes of cooking! Make the slurry by whisking one tablespoon of cornstarch in with 3 tablespoons of water. Once combined, pour the slurry into the hot broth and stir until thick.
How long does it take to cook Turkey dumplings?
Continue adding dumplings until there are no more left. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until the dumplings are tender and fluffy and the broth has thickened. Add the cooked turkey to the broth and heat until it is warmed through. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with the parsley if using and enjoy.
Can you cook Turkey & dumplings with the lid on?
You’ll want to cook turkey and dumplings with the lid on in order to steam the dumplings. This will allow you to cook the dumplings from all sides and not risk over cooking them or reducing the soup during the cooking process. Can I make this turkey and dumplings recipe ahead of time?
Can you use biscuits for Turkey & dumplings?
If you prefer to use biscuits for your turkey and dumplings, you can either make them from scratch or use store-bought biscuit dough. Bake the biscuits separately while your turkey and vegetables cook in the broth.
What can I put in a Turkey dumpling filling?
For a turkey dumpling filling, you can use cooked and shredded turkey, combined with seasoning and finely chopped vegetables such as onions, carrots, and celery. You might also consider including additional ingredients like mushrooms, fresh herbs, or even a splash of white wine to complement the turkey flavor.