Name: Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 pounds turkey breast tenderloins; kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste; 4 tablespoons unsalted butter; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 4 celery hearts, chopped; 2 medium carrots, chopped; 1 medium white onion, finely chopped; 6 cloves of garlic, finely minced; 6–8 sprigs fresh thyme; 3 bay leaves; 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano; 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1/2 teaspoon Jamaican allspice; 8 cups (2 quarts) turkey or chicken stock/broth; 1 cup frozen peas; 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour; 1/2 cup fine yellow cornmeal; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 4 tablespoons salted butter, melted; 3/4 cup whole buttermilk; 1/4 cup mashed sweet potato or sweet potato puree

There’s something so cozy and satisfying about a big pot of soup simmering on the stove, especially when it’s got a little twist — like the soft, fluffy sweet potato dumplings in this Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe. It’s a delightful balance of hearty turkey broth and a comforting texture that turns simple soup into a memorable meal.

A deep white pot filled with a thick stew, showing seven large, fluffy yellow dumplings floating on top. The stew underneath is a golden orange color with visible small pieces of shredded chicken, bright green peas, and round slices of orange carrots. Tiny green herb sprigs are scattered across the surface, and the stew looks creamy with specks of black pepper. The pot has a purple outside with a lid placed slightly to the side, and the whole scene rests on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’ve made plenty of turkey soups before, but adding sweet potato dumplings really lifts it to a whole new level. It’s like getting a surprise inside your soup bowl—warm, pillowy bites that soak up all those savory flavors.

Perfect balance of flavors: The aromatic herbs and spices deepen the broth while the turkey adds lean protein.
Sweet potato dumplings: They are soft and slightly sweet, giving a unique texture that everyone raves about.
Great for using leftovers: If you’ve got turkey on hand, this recipe transforms it into something fresh and exciting.
Comfort food at its best: It’s warm, filling, and just plain makes you feel good—perfect for chilly evenings.

The image shows a pot filled with a warm stew containing several golden-yellow dumplings floating on the surface. The stew has a thick, slightly oily brownish broth with visible pieces of shredded light brown meat, small bright orange carrot slices, green peas, and sprigs of green herbs scattered throughout. The dumplings are soft, fluffy, and unevenly shaped with a rough texture, while tiny black pepper flakes are sprinkled on top. The pot has a white interior with a purple outer rim and handles. The photo is taken on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

I've found that the combination of simple, fresh ingredients really makes this soup sing. Each one contributes texture, flavor, or richness that complements the turkey and sweet potato dumplings perfectly. When I shop for this, I aim for quality turkey breast and fresh herbs to maximize flavor.

Flat lay of fresh turkey breast tenderloins, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, two bay leaves, four celery hearts chopped, two medium carrots chopped, one medium white onion finely chopped, six garlic cloves whole, unpeeled, a small pile of kosher salt crystals, a small heap of freshly ground black pepper, a few tablespoons of unsalted butter in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of extra virgin olive oil, a small white bowl of chicken stock, a small white bowl filled with frozen green peas, a small mound of all-purpose flour, a small mound of fine yellow cornmeal, a small white bowl with melted salted butter, a small white bowl of whole buttermilk, a small portion of mashed sweet potato, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and bowls placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Turkey breast tenderloins: Lean and tender, these cook quickly and shred beautifully to soak up the broth.
Butter and olive oil: The combo gives a rich base for browning the turkey and sautéeing veggies.
Celery, carrots, and onion: These are classic soup veggies that build a foundational flavor.
Garlic: Adds pungent warmth that wakes up the whole soup.
Fresh thyme and bay leaves: They bring those classic herbaceous notes you want in any hearty soup.
Spices (oregano, smoked paprika, allspice): These give subtle complexity and a hint of smoky warmth.
Chicken or turkey stock: The soul of the soup; homemade or store-bought works fine as long as it’s flavorful.
Frozen peas: Sweet bursts of color and freshness near the end of cooking.
All-purpose flour & cornmeal: Combined to make dumplings that hold their shape but stay tender.
Baking powder: Helps the dumplings puff up nice and fluffy.
Sweet potato puree: Adds natural sweetness and moisture to the dumplings.
Buttermilk: Provides a gentle tang and tender crumb for the dumplings.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how versatile this Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe is—you can tweak the dumplings or soup seasonings to your taste, making it your own cozy masterpiece. Sometimes, I add a splash of hot sauce or fresh herbs at the end for an extra zing.

Variation: One of my favorite tweaks is swapping sweet potato with pumpkin puree in fall—delicious and seasonal!
Diet-friendly tweak: Use gluten-free flour for the dumplings and low-sodium broth to keep it lighter without sacrificing flavor.
Vegetable add-ins: Feel free to toss in some chopped kale or spinach at the end for a green boost.
Spicing it up: Add a pinch of cayenne or smoked chili powder if you like a bit of heat.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Step 1: Season and Sear the Turkey

I always start by seasoning the turkey breast tenderloins well with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then let them sit at room temperature. This resting helps the meat cook evenly. When browning, get a nice golden crust on both sides in a hot mixture of butter and olive oil—this seals in flavor without cooking the meat through.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies

After removing the turkey, I toss in chopped celery, carrots, and onion to the same pot. Scraping up any browned bits enhances depth in the soup. You want these softened and fragrant—usually about 4 to 5 minutes. Then, garlic goes in last for about a minute until its aroma fills the kitchen.

Step 3: Add Herbs, Spices, and Simmer

Next, fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, and the spices go in. I like to stir these over the heat just until they bloom and become fragrant, which usually takes about a minute. Then, put the turkey back in, cover with stock, and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat, cover the pot, and let it all cook gently for about 45 to 50 minutes to develop those rich flavors and tender turkey.

Step 4: Shred the Turkey

Once the turkey is tender, I remove it from the pot, shred it easily with two forks, then stir it back into the soup. Leaving the lid off here is key because you'll be adding the dumplings next and you don’t want it too steamy.

Step 5: Make and Drop the Sweet Potato Dumplings

Mixing the dumpling dough is pretty simple: whisk together the dry ingredients, then fold in melted butter, buttermilk, and sweet potato mash. Letting the dough rest for a couple of minutes helps it become fluffy when cooked. Use a spoon or scooper to drop generous dollops on top of the simmering soup, then spoon broth over them to keep them moist. Cover and simmer gently for 10–15 minutes until the dumplings puff up and are cooked through.

Step 6: Finish with Peas and Serve

Right before adding the dumplings, I stir in frozen peas for that pop of sweetness and color. When dumplings are done, remove the herbs and ladle into bowls. A fresh crack of black pepper on top always feels like the final flourish.

Top Tip

Throughout my cooking adventures with this turkey soup, I’ve learned a few little tricks that really help make the dumplings turn out light and fluffy—and keep the soup tasting bright and fresh.

Rest the dumpling dough: Letting the dough sit for a couple of minutes after mixing activates the baking powder, which makes a noticeable difference in fluffiness.
Don’t overwork the dough: Stir just until combined to avoid tough dumplings—gentle handling is key.
Simmer gently: Keep the heat low when cooking dumplings so they cook through without breaking apart.
Season well at every step: Taste and adjust salt before finishing to make sure your soup isn’t bland.

How to Serve Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or a few thyme leaves on top—it adds a little green freshness that brightens up the bowl. A tiny drizzle of good-quality olive oil before serving never hurts either, and freshly cracked black pepper always finishes the dish perfectly.

Side Dishes

For a simple meal, I like tossing together a crisp green salad with tangy vinaigrette or some crusty artisan bread to soak up all that flavorful broth. Roasted root vegetables or a light coleslaw also pair nicely if you want a heartier spread.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special occasion, I’ve served this soup in rustic mini cast iron pots or bread bowls—so fun and cozy! Also, arranging a few dumplings artfully on top with sprigs of fresh thyme makes the presentation look effortlessly charming.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After cooling the soup completely, I transfer it to airtight containers and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days. The dumplings do soak up some broth over time, so I like to add a splash of stock when reheating to refresh the texture.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup with great results. Just be sure to freeze it without the dumplings—make those fresh when you reheat the soup. The broth and turkey freeze beautifully and thaw quickly in the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To reheat, warm the soup gently over low heat to avoid breaking the dumplings down. Adding a little extra broth or water helps if it feels too thick. If you froze separately, drop freshly made dumplings into the hot soup and cook until they puff up again.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover roasted turkey for this soup?

Absolutely! Leftover roasted turkey works wonderfully. Just shred the turkey and add it in place of the turkey breast tenderloins after sautéing the vegetables. It’s a great way to transform leftovers into a comforting meal.

What if I don’t have buttermilk for the dumplings?

No worries! You can make a quick buttermilk substitute by adding one tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar to ¾ cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This keeps the dumplings tender and fluffy.

Can I prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time?

It’s best to wait until you’re ready to cook the dumplings before mixing the dough. The baking powder starts activating as soon as it’s mixed, so freshly made dough gives the best rise and fluffiness when cooked in the soup.

How do I keep the dumplings from sticking together?

When dropping the dumplings into the broth, make sure to leave enough space between each scoop. Also, gently spoon some broth over the dumplings after placing them in the pot to help them cook evenly without sticking.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe has become one of my go-to cozy dinners. It’s wonderfully satisfying without feeling heavy, and the dumplings add that little extra bit of love everyone notices. I’m excited for you to try it—you’ll find it’s just the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug on a busy day or a chilly night.