Turkey and Dumplings (with Stuffing Dumplings)

Name: Turkey and Dumplings Soup
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups shredded turkey; 3 cups cooked stuffing; 2 eggs; 6 cups turkey broth; 1 onion, (chopped); 4 carrots, (chopped); 1 teaspoon olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon black pepper; 1-2 teaspoon salt, (to taste)

You know that moment after Thanksgiving when your fridge is overflowing with leftovers, and you’re staring into it thinking, “What the heck am I going to do with all this?” Well friends, this Turkey and Dumplings soup is the answer — and not just any dumplings… crispy stuffing dumplings made from leftover stuffing.

Imagine this: a deep, rich turkey broth, tender chunks of roasted turkey, and golden balls of leftover stuffing baked to crispy perfection. It’s warm, it’s cozy, and it might just cure all your post-holiday blues.

So when Thanksgiving is over and you’re wondering what to do with that mountain of leftovers — make this Turkey and Dumplings soup! It’s easy, comforting, and honestly, so delicious you might find yourself making it all year long.

Roll that leftover stuffing into little balls of joy, bake them until crispy, and drop those beauties right into a steaming bowl of turkey soup goodness. It’s everything your cozy heart could want — hearty, flavorful, and ready in just 30 minutes.

Got a cold? Make this soup.
Just want to warm up in front of the fire? Make this soup.
Just love soup? (You’re my kind of person.) Make. This. Soup.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, trust me — you need this in your life. Plus, those leftovers aren’t going to eat themselves! Leftover stuffing is basically begging to be turned into dumplings.

3 stuffing balls, carrots and turkey in a bowl of broth

Why This Recipe Works

Homemade turkey bone broth = major flavor upgrade. Deep, rich, and soul-warming — exactly what cozy soup dreams are made of.
The perfect way to use Thanksgiving leftovers. Nothing goes to waste — turkey, stuffing, even broth get a second act.
Crispy-on-the-outside stuffing dumplings. Baking them gives you that perfect texture so they don’t fall apart in your soup.

Jump to:

Why This Recipe Works
What is My Take on Turkey and Dumplings (with Stuffing Dumplings)
Make it a Meal
The Ingredients
Step By Step Instructions
Expert Tips
Common Questions
Storing Instructions
What to do With Leftover Stuffing
What to do with Leftover Turkey
More Great Soup Recipes
Recipe
💬 Comments

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What is My Take on Turkey and Dumplings (with Stuffing Dumplings)

You know I love a classic with a twist. And this is exactly that. Traditional turkey soup gets a glow-up thanks to those crispy stuffing dumplings.

It’s like your Thanksgiving plate jumped into a soup pot and decided to be the most comforting meal of the season. Whether you’ve got leftover roasted turkey, smoked turkey, or even a store-bought rotisserie bird — this recipe works beautifully.

If you made homemade turkey bone broth with your leftover carcass, you just leveled up. But don’t worry — store-bought turkey or chicken broth will do the trick too (I like to grab low-sodium so you can control the salt).

You can even use my crockpot chicken broth or Instant Pot chicken bone broth if you have some ready to go.

Make it a Meal

Pair this soup with a light green salad or some roasted veggies for a cozy, balanced meal. Feeling fancy? Add a side of homemade dinner rolls to soak up every last drop.

The Ingredients

The full list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Well, leftover turkey and stuffing are obviously the key ingredients here. If you don't have leftovers, any kind of turkey will do, and you can make the stuffing balls with a box of Stove-top stuffing (Yup, I said it).

And guys, if you made homemade turkey bone broth with your leftover turkey carcass, that would be the most amazing extra bonus to this recipe. Because fresh made broth is always better. However, store bought turkey broth (or even chicken broth) will work as well. I recommend buying a lower sodium broth so you can have more control over the salt content.

You can also use this crockpot chicken broth or this Instant Pot chicken bone broth.

Step By Step Instructions

How to Make Stuffing Dumplings

stuffing in a bowl with eggs for stuffing dumplings

Step1: First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Step2: Combine the stuffing with the eggs in a large bowl. Mix together well and form the stuffing into golf ball sized balls.

Note: If stuffing is too dry and won't stick together, add a touch of broth, but not too much. If the stuffing is too wet, add a couple tbsp. of bread crumbs or flour until they can be formed into balls.

Step3: Place the stuffing balls on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, until they are golden brown and slightly crispy on the outside.

**To ensure they stay firm, you can put them in the fridge or freezer for about 20 minutes.

carrots and onions in a pot for turkey and dumplings

Step4: While the stuffing balls are cooking, heat the olive oil in a dutch oven and saute the onions and carrots for 3-4 minutes, until they are softened. Add the turkey stock and bring to a boil.

broth and onions, carrots in a pot for turkey and dumplings

Step5: Turn the heat down to simmer and add the turkey. Season with the salt and pepper; add more to taste if desired. Simmer for about 5 minutes and remove from heat.

bowl of soup with carrots and stuffing dumplings

Step6: Ladle soup into bowls and place 2-3 stuffing balls in each bowl to serve. Garnish with fresh sage (optional).

Expert Tips

If the stuffing won’t stick together, add a splash of broth — but not too much!
Too wet? Mix in a couple tablespoons of breadcrumbs or flour until they hold.
Turkey bone broth adds incredible depth and richness.
If your dumplings are falling apart, pop them in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before baking to firm up.

Common Questions

Can stuffing dumplings be frozen?

Absolutely! Freeze them on a baking sheet for 3 hours, then transfer to a freezer bag. Store up to one month for best flavor.
To thaw, place them on a plate or baking sheet in the fridge overnight. Reheat in a 400°F oven for 5–10 minutes to re-crisp.

Can I make the soup ahead of time?

You sure can! Make the soup (without the dumplings) up to 2 days in advance and store it in the fridge. When ready to serve, reheat the soup and add freshly baked or reheated stuffing dumplings. That way, they stay crisp on the outside and perfectly soft inside.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Definitely! If you don’t have leftover turkey, shredded rotisserie chicken works perfectly in this recipe. The flavor is just as comforting and pairs beautifully with the stuffing dumplings and rich broth.

Storing Instructions

Freeze the dumplings separately for best results. The soup can be frozen in an airtight container for up to one month.

To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm on the stovetop or in the microwave. Add the dumplings when serving to keep them crispy and perfect.

So go raid that fridge and turn those leftovers into something that’s way more exciting than a turkey sandwich. This Turkey and Dumplings (with Stuffing Dumplings) recipe is cozy, clever, and oh-so-satisfying — just like the holidays should be.

Ready to dig in? Grab a spoon and get comfy.

Turkey and Dumplings (with Stuffing Dumplings)

What to do With Leftover Stuffing

The best part about Thanksgiving leftovers is coming up with creative new ways to use them. If you've got a crap ton of leftover Thanksgiving stuffing, try making these great recipes: