Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe

If you’re looking for a cozy, comforting dinner that gives new life to your holiday leftovers, you’re in the right place. This Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe is my favorite way to transform turkey scraps into a soul-warming dish. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll want to keep this recipe handy all year round—not just after Thanksgiving!

this …

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe is that it leans on simple, wholesome ingredients that work in harmony to build those comforting layers of flavor. Plus, many of these are staples you probably already have on hand, so shopping will be a breeze.

• Butter: Adds richness to your broth and dumplings—don’t skimp here, it really brings everything together.
• Onions: I love using yellow onions for their sweetness, but white or sweet onions work just as well.
• Carrots: Dice them small for a tender bite, adding a subtle natural sweetness.
• Celery: Brings a fresh, aromatic crunch to the base of the stew.
• Frozen peas: I keep these on hand for quick meals like this. They add a lovely pop of color and sweetness.
• Garlic: Minced fresh garlic is a must—it’s the soul of savory flavor here.
• Turkey broth: This is your flavor base; homemade is best, but store-bought works in a pinch. If you don’t have turkey broth, chicken broth is a fine substitute.
• All-purpose flour: For thickening the broth and making the dumplings — make sure it’s fresh for the best rise.
• Cooked turkey: Shredded or chopped, white and dark meat mixed is my personal favorite for a perfect balance.
• Apple cider vinegar: Adds a subtle brightness that lifts the flavors beautifully.
• MSG (optional): This little umami booster makes a huge flavor difference if you’re comfortable using it.
• Thyme: Dried or fresh thyme adds that classic herbaceous note.
• Chives: Fresh chives are pungent and slightly oniony, perfect for these dumplings.
• Egg and buttermilk: These enrich your dumpling dough, making them tender and fluffy.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that make your dumplings puff up just right.
• Salt and pepper: Seasoning to taste is key — don’t be shy with it!

Variations

I love how forgiving this Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe is when it comes to customization. Feel free to swap in what you have or tweak flavors to suit your family’s tastes—these dumplings are a perfect canvas.

• Herb swaps: If you don’t have chives, green onions or parsley make lovely alternatives in the dumplings—I’ve done both and they’re delicious.
• Vegetarian version: Leave out the turkey and use vegetable broth with mushrooms for a savory twist that’s still deeply satisfying.
• Extra veggies: Sometimes I toss in chopped kale or spinach for a boost of greens; just stir them in with the peas near the end of cooking.
• Spice it up: A pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of smoked paprika adds a subtle kick without overpowering the dish.

How to Make Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Sauté Your Veggies to Build the Base

Get a heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven hot over medium-high heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Toss in your diced onions, carrots, and celery—all chopped similarly so they cook evenly—and sauté for about 6-7 minutes until the onions turn translucent and everything smells heavenly. Then stir in your minced garlic, thyme, and a pinch of MSG if you’re using it. Cook this for another minute, then scoop the veggies out into a bowl to rest for now.

Step 2: Make a Blonde Roux for Thickening

In the same pot, melt the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter over low to medium heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour and cook the mixture for about 7-10 minutes, whisking frequently so it stays smooth and turns a light golden color. This is your blonde roux—it’s going to give that silky body to your broth that makes it feel so luxurious.

Step 3: Add Broth and Bring to a Simmer

Gradually whisk in 6 cups of turkey broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot to intensify the flavor. Turn the heat back up to medium-high and bring it to a gentle simmer. You want it thickened just enough to coat the back of a spoon without feeling gluey—this usually takes a few minutes. Then stir in the apple cider vinegar, your cooked shredded turkey, and frozen peas. Simmer just until peas are heated and turkey warmed through.

Step 4: Mix Your Chive and Garlic Drop Dumpling Batter

While your broth is warming, whisk together 1½ cups of flour, chopped chives, minced garlic, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a bowl. In a separate bowl, beat one large egg with ½ cup of buttermilk, then pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir gently until you get a loose, shaggy dough—don’t overmix or your dumplings will be tough.

Step 5: Drop Dumplings and Cook Covered

Using a tablespoon, drop dollops of dough onto the simmering turkey mixture, leaving space between each so they have room to puff. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pot tightly. Let everything cook gently for 15-20 minutes, resisting the urge to lift the lid too often—this steam is what makes your dumplings rise beautifully and cook through perfectly.

Step 6: Final Seasoning and Serve

Once the dumplings are puffed up and cooked through, sprinkle with some fresh chopped chives if you like, season the stew with salt and black pepper to taste, and serve it piping hot. You’ll find the dumplings irresistibly tender and flavorful, absorbing the savory turkey broth like little pillows of joy.

How to Serve Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe

Garnishes

I love finishing this dish with a sprinkle of fresh chives because they give a fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of vibrant green. Sometimes I add a little cracked black pepper on top too—it brightens the flavor nicely right before serving.

Side Dishes

This stew is pretty hearty on its own, but when I want to round out the meal, I serve it alongside a crisp green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette or some buttery crusty bread to soak up all those luscious juices.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I like to serve this in individual oven-safe ramekins topped with dumplings, then pop them under the broiler for a minute to get a lightly golden crust on top. It makes for a fun presentation and my guests always get a kick out of it.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dumplings soak up some of the broth overnight, so the next day it tastes even more melded and comforting—like all those flavors had time to cozy up together.

Freezing

If I want to save some for later, I freeze the stew without the dumplings first, then add fresh dumplings when reheating. Dumplings tend to get tough or gummy when frozen, so this trick keeps their texture perfect.

Reheating

To reheat, gently warm the stew over low heat on the stovetop, stirring occasionally. If the broth has thickened too much, add a splash of broth or water to loosen it up. If you’ve added fresh dumplings when reheating, cover and cook until dumplings are puffed and cooked through again.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Leftover Turkey and Chive Drop Dumplings Recipe has become one of my ultimate comfort food go-tos—easy, nourishing, and bursting with flavor. I love how it revives turkey leftovers and makes a simple meal feel special and indulgent. Give it a try, and you’ll see why it’s such a beloved classic in my kitchen. Enjoy every warm, cozy bite with the people you love!

Print