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The Ultimate Comfort Food: Hearty Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings Recipe

As the holiday season draws to a close, many of us find ourselves with the delightful challenge of what to do with the generous bounty of leftover turkey. While turkey sandwiches are a classic, there’s a world of culinary possibilities waiting to be explored. What if you could transform that savory roasted turkey into a soul-warming dish that feels both fresh and nostalgic? Look no further than this incredible recipe for Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings – a comforting classic with a delightful twist, guaranteed to keep you warm all winter long.

This isn’t just another leftover turkey recipe; it’s an invitation to create a hearty, flavorful meal that comes together with surprising ease. Imagine tender pieces of turkey swimming in a rich, savory broth, topped with fluffy, golden cornbread dumplings that soak up all the deliciousness. This dish is the epitome of comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings or a cozy family dinner. It’s a culinary hug in a bowl, promising warmth, satisfaction, and a delicious way to extend the holiday spirit.

Why You’ll Absolutely Love This Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings Recipe

Beyond being an ingenious way to utilize your Thanksgiving turkey, this recipe stands out for several compelling reasons, making it a staple you’ll want to add to your repertoire:

Unbeatable Comfort: There’s something inherently comforting about a steaming bowl of turkey and dumplings. The rich broth, tender turkey, and soft, pillowy cornbread dumplings create a symphony of textures and flavors that evoke warmth and home-cooked goodness. It’s the perfect antidote to a cold day or a stressful week.
Smart Use of Leftovers: Say goodbye to boring turkey leftovers! This recipe transforms your holiday bird into an entirely new and exciting meal. It breathes new life into cooked turkey, ensuring nothing goes to waste and every delicious morsel is savored.
Surprisingly Quick & Easy: Despite its hearty and complex flavor profile, this dish comes together in just over 30 minutes. Most of the time is hands-off simmering, making it an ideal choice for busy weeknights when you crave something satisfying without the fuss.
Versatility for Year-Round Enjoyment: While it’s perfect for Thanksgiving leftovers, don’t limit yourself! This recipe is equally delicious with cooked chicken and chicken broth, making it a fantastic year-round dinner option. You can enjoy this comforting dish anytime the craving strikes.
Family-Friendly Appeal: This is a crowd-pleaser that satisfies appetites of all ages. The tender meat, flavorful broth, and soft dumplings are universally loved, making it a go-to meal for family dinners.

The Magic of Hearty Cornbread Dumplings

While many traditional dumpling recipes use a simple flour-based dough, the cornbread dumplings in this dish are what truly set it apart. They bring a unique texture and flavor profile that elevates the entire experience. Unlike denser, chewier flour dumplings, cornbread dumplings are light, fluffy, and slightly sweet, with that distinct corn flavor that pairs perfectly with savory turkey and vegetables.

These hearty dumplings don’t just add a delicious bite; they also play a crucial role in the dish’s texture. As they cook, they gently absorb the rich turkey broth, becoming incredibly tender and flavorful. Their slight crumbling texture also helps to naturally thicken the stew, turning a simple soup into a substantial, satisfying meal. Each spoonful offers a delightful contrast between the silky broth, tender turkey, and the comforting chew of the cornbread. They’re easy to make and cook quickly, ensuring you get to enjoy your comfort food sooner!

Ingredients Spotlight: Crafting Your Delicious Stew

The beauty of this Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings recipe lies in its simple yet flavorful ingredients. Here’s a closer look at what makes this dish so special:

For the Rich Soup Base:

Butter: The foundation of flavor, used to sauté your aromatic vegetables.
Aromatics (Garlic, Onion, Carrots, Celery): The classic “mirepoix” forms the savory backbone of your soup. Don’t rush the sautéing; allowing these to soften and sweeten is key to a deep flavor.
All-Purpose Flour: This acts as a thickener, creating a roux with the butter that will give your broth body.
Poultry Seasoning, Kosher Salt, Ground Black Pepper: Essential spices to enhance the natural flavors of the turkey and vegetables. Poultry seasoning typically contains a blend of herbs like sage, thyme, rosemary, and marjoram, perfectly suited for this dish.
Turkey Stock (or Chicken Broth): The liquid base of your soup. Homemade turkey stock from the holiday bird bones will provide the most authentic and robust flavor, but a good quality store-bought turkey or chicken broth works beautifully too.
Chopped Leftover Turkey (or Chicken): The star of the show! Use both white and dark meat for varied texture and flavor. If you don’t have leftovers, cooked rotisserie chicken is a fantastic substitute.
Frozen Green Peas: Added at the very end for a pop of color, sweetness, and fresh texture, without becoming mushy.

For the Fluffy Cornbread Dumplings:

Self-Rising Flour: Provides structure and helps the dumplings rise, giving them their characteristic lightness.
Yellow Cornmeal: The star ingredient for the “cornbread” flavor and texture. Choose a fine-to-medium grind for best results.
Granulated Sugar: A touch of sweetness that balances the savory elements of the soup and enhances the cornbread flavor.
Poultry Seasoning: A little extra seasoning in the dumplings themselves ensures every bite is flavorful.
Melted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the dumpling batter.
Large Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the dumpling’s structure.
Whole Milk: Adds moisture and helps create a tender dumpling.
Sweet Kernel Corn: Fresh or frozen (thawed) kernels add another layer of corn flavor and a delightful textural element to the dumplings.

Pro Tips for Perfect Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings

Achieving a truly spectacular bowl of turkey and cornbread dumplings is easy with a few simple tips:

Don’t Overmix the Dumpling Batter: Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can lead to tough, chewy dumplings. Mix just until the ingredients are combined, even if there are a few lumps.
Maintain a Gentle Simmer: When cooking the dumplings, ensure your soup is at a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. This allows the dumplings to steam and cook through evenly without breaking apart.
Taste and Adjust Seasoning: Before adding the dumplings, taste your soup base and adjust salt and pepper as needed. The quality of your stock can significantly impact the final seasoning.
Fresh Herbs for a Bright Finish: While poultry seasoning is excellent, a sprinkle of fresh parsley or chives before serving can add a vibrant color and fresh herbaceous note.
Vary Your Vegetables: Feel free to customize the soup with other vegetables you enjoy. Diced potatoes, green beans, or mushrooms would also be delicious additions.
Make it Creamier (Optional): For an even richer, creamier soup, stir in a splash of heavy cream or a tablespoon of cream cheese just before serving.

Serving and Storage Suggestions

This hearty stew is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad for a touch of freshness. A piece of crusty bread on the side is also perfect for soaking up every last drop of the delicious broth.

Leftovers of Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. When reheating, be aware that the dumplings tend to soften further and absorb more liquid. You might want to add a splash of extra turkey or chicken broth when reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave to maintain a good consistency. While still delicious, the dumplings are best enjoyed fresh for optimal texture.

We all gobbled this up and hope you do too! Enjoy this comforting, easy-to-make dish that truly makes the most of your holiday leftovers or provides a warm meal any time of year.

xoxo,

Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings

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Author: Maegan – The BakerMama
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Yield: 6-8 servings
Category: Main Meals, Comfort Food

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Description

Transform your leftover Thanksgiving turkey into an irresistible, comforting meal with this easy Turkey and Cornbread Dumplings recipe. Featuring tender turkey in a savory broth, topped with fluffy, golden cornbread dumplings, this dish is the perfect hearty stew to warm you up all winter long. It’s quick, easy, and a fantastic way to enjoy your turkey in a whole new light!

Ingredients

For the Soup:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 large yellow onion, diced
2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
1 rib celery, diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 cups turkey stock (or chicken broth)
2 and 1/2 cups chopped leftover cooked turkey (or cooked chicken)
1 cup frozen green peas

For the Cornbread Dumplings:

1 cup self-rising flour
1 cup yellow cornmeal
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 large egg
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup sweet kernel corn (fresh or frozen, thawed)

Instructions

Prepare the Soup Base: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic, diced onion, sliced carrots, and diced celery. Sauté for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables begin to soften. Whisk in the all-purpose flour, poultry seasoning, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Continue to whisk for 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Slowly stir in the turkey stock until well combined and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Add the chopped turkey to the simmering broth.
Make the Cornbread Dumplings: While the soup base is simmering, prepare the dumpling batter. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the self-rising flour, yellow cornmeal, granulated sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon of poultry seasoning. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the melted butter, large egg, and whole milk until fully combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine. Fold in the sweet kernel corn.
Cook the Dumplings: Using a tablespoon or a small cookie scoop, drop spoonfuls of the dumpling mixture into the simmering turkey stock. Try to space them out evenly. Once all the dumplings are added, cover the pot tightly with a lid and let the dumplings steam and simmer for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, carefully turn each dumpling over in the stock using a spoon. Re-cover the pot tightly and continue to simmer for another 5-10 minutes, or until the dumplings are cooked all the way through and appear fluffy and set. Gently stir in the frozen green peas during the last minute of cooking to warm them through. Serve immediately and enjoy!