Name: Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 1 h 10 min
Total time: 1 h 25 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

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

Instructions

Step 1: Place the turkey tenderloins in a large bowl and season generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover and let sit at room temperature for 25-30 minutes.

Step 2: In a large dutch oven or stock pot, heat the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once sizzling, add the turkey and brown for 2-3 minutes on each side to develop a golden sear. Remove turkey and set aside.

Step 3: Add chopped celery, carrots, and onion to the pot. Stir and sauté until soft and tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Step 4: Add thyme sprigs, bay leaves, oregano, smoked paprika, and allspice. Stir to combine and toast spices for about 1 minute.

Step 5: Return the turkey to the pot and cover with stock, ensuring the turkey is fully submerged. Stir gently to combine.

Step 6: Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for 45-50 minutes.

Step 7: Remove turkey from the pot and shred using two forks. Return shredded turkey to the pot. Leave uncovered while preparing dumplings.

Step 8: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. Add melted butter, buttermilk, and mashed sweet potato. Stir until just combined and let rest for 1-2 minutes to activate the baking powder.

Step 9: Stir frozen peas into the soup. Using a spoon or scooper, drop 2-3 tablespoons of dumpling dough over the soup surface, distributing evenly. Spoon broth over dumplings.

Step 10: Cover pot and simmer for 10-15 minutes until dumplings are cooked through and fluffy.

Step 11: Remove soup from heat. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaves. Ladle soup with dumplings into bowls and serve immediately with freshly ground black pepper if desired.

Tips & Variations

For extra flavor, use homemade turkey or chicken stock if possible.

You can substitute the sweet potato in the dumplings with pumpkin puree for a different seasonal twist.

If you prefer a thicker soup, reduce the stock slightly before adding dumplings.

Add fresh herbs like parsley or chives on top just before serving for brightness.

FAQs

Can I use leftover turkey for this soup?

Yes, leftover cooked turkey can be added to the soup in step 7 without the initial browning and simmering steps. Adjust cooking time as needed.

How do I know when the dumplings are cooked?

The dumplings will puff up and feel firm but tender to the touch after simmering 10-15 minutes. You can test one by cutting it open to check for a doughy center.