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 incredibly comforting about a hearty bowl of soup that feels like a warm hug on a chilly day. This Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe brings together tender turkey, fragrant herbs, and the unexpected delight of fluffy sweet potato dumplings that float on the broth like little clouds. It’s a dish that’s as nourishing as it is satisfying.

A purple pot filled with a warm, golden-yellow stew that has soft, uneven dumplings floating on top. The stew contains small bits of shredded light brown chicken, bright orange carrot slices, green peas, and green sprigs of thyme scattered throughout. The broth looks thick and smooth with a slightly shiny surface, seasoned with small black pepper flakes. The pot 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 can’t stress enough how this recipe combines simple ingredients in a way that feels both special and homey. Every spoonful packs depth and warmth, and those sweet potato dumplings? Pure magic. Let me tell you why this one goes straight to my comfort food list.

Perfectly Tender Turkey: Slow-simmered turkey breast turns juicy and shreddable, infusing the broth with rich flavor.
Sweet Potato Dumplings: Light, fluffy, and slightly sweet dumplings baked right in the soup add incredible texture.
Layered Aromatics: Fresh thyme, bay leaves, smoked paprika, and allspice create a cozy, inviting broth.
Simple to Prep: With straightforward steps and common pantry ingredients, it’s easier to make than you might think.

A large white pot filled with a thick soup showing about eight uneven, yellow dumplings floating on top. The soup has a light brown, creamy broth with visible pieces of shredded light brown meat, small orange carrot slices, green peas, and some small green herbs like thyme. The dumplings look soft and slightly textured with a sprinkle of black pepper on them. The pot has a purple handle and sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe is all about balancing savory and subtly sweet flavors, plus a variety of textures. Each ingredient plays an important role in bringing the soup together, so here’s a quick rundown to help you shop and prep with confidence.

Flat lay of fresh turkey breast tenderloins with clean white shells of two whole eggs, a small pile of finely chopped celery hearts, two medium peeled and chopped carrots, one medium white onion finely chopped, six peeled garlic cloves, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, three whole bay leaves, a small white bowl of dried oregano powder, a small white bowl of smoked paprika powder, a small white bowl of Jamaican allspice, a simple white ceramic bowl filled with clear turkey broth, a small white bowl of frozen peas, a small white bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white bowl of fine yellow cornmeal, a small white bowl of baking powder, a small white bowl of melted unsalted butter, a small white bowl of whole buttermilk, a small heap of mashed bright orange sweet potato puree, 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, ideal for quick searing and slow simmering to keep moist.
Unsalted Butter & Olive Oil: The combo helps brown the turkey and soften veggies without overpowering flavors.
Celery, Carrots, Onion: Classic mirepoix veggies that lend sweetness and body to the broth.
Garlic: Adds that subtle punch that wakes up all the taste buds.
Fresh Thyme & Bay Leaves: Herbal notes that give the broth a comforting depth and slight earthiness.
Smoked Paprika, Oregano, Jamaican Allspice: A warm, gentle spice mix that’s flavorful without being spicy-hot.
Turkey or Chicken Stock: The soul of the soup, bringing it all together in a rich, savory liquid base.
Frozen Peas: Bright green bursts of sweetness and color added at the end.
All-Purpose Flour & Cornmeal: Come together in the dumplings to create structure and a subtle crunch.
Baking Powder: Helps the dumplings puff up light and fluffy.
Salted Butter & Buttermilk: Moisture and tang for tender, flavorful dumplings.
Mashed Sweet Potato: The star ingredient in the dumplings that brings natural sweetness and softness.

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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

While I adore this classic flavor combo, I’ve experimented with a few tweaks here and there depending on what’s in my pantry or who I’m cooking for. Feel free to make it your own — the dumplings especially are fun to personalize!

Variation: I sometimes swap out the fresh thyme for rosemary or sage for a different herbal profile—it’s less subtle but still delicious.
Dietary Options: Gluten-free flour works perfectly for the dumplings if you want to avoid gluten without losing texture or flavor.
Seasonal Add-ins: Swapping peas for green beans or adding chopped kale gives extra greens a cozy boost.

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

Step 1: Season and Sear the Turkey

Start by seasoning the turkey tenderloins generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, then let them rest at room temperature for about 25-30 minutes. This helps the meat cook evenly. When ready, heat butter and olive oil in your pot over medium-high heat and brown the turkey on both sides—just for 2-3 minutes per side to get a nice golden crust. Remember, you’re not cooking through here, just building flavor. Set the turkey aside for now.

Step 2: Sauté the Vegetables & Toast the Spices

Next, toss in your chopped celery, carrots, and onion to the same pot. Stir and scrape up all those lovely browned bits from the turkey — that’s where the flavor lives! Cook the veggies until soft and fragrant, about 4-5 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute, just until it wakes up the pot. Then stir in thyme, bay leaves, oregano, smoked paprika, and allspice. Toast those spices for another minute while stirring—this step lets all those wonderful aromas bloom.

Step 3: Simmer the Turkey Soup

Put the turkey back into the pot and pour in your turkey or chicken stock, ensuring the meat is fully submerged. Bring everything to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it cook for 45-50 minutes. This slow simmer helps the turkey become tender and infuses your broth with rich flavor. Afterwards, remove the turkey, shred it with two forks, then stir the shredded meat back into the pot. Leave the pot uncovered now as you move on.

Step 4: Prepare the Sweet Potato Dumplings

While the turkey simmers, mix together your dry ingredients—flour, cornmeal, and baking powder—in a large bowl. Pour in melted butter, buttermilk, and sweet potato mash, stirring gently just until combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few lumps are fine. Let the batter sit for 1-2 minutes to let the baking powder activate—you’ll notice it fluff up slightly, which is a good sign!

Step 5: Finish the Soup & Cook Dumplings

Add frozen peas to the soup and stir gently. Using a spoon or cookie scoop, drop generous spoonfuls of the dumpling batter onto the surface of the hot soup—space them out but cover most of the top. Spoon some broth over each dumpling, cover the pot, and let them steam for 10-15 minutes. The dumplings will cook through and become fluffy pillows soaking up all the yummy broth.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Remove the thyme sprigs and bay leaves—those don’t belong in your bowl! Ladle the soup with those gorgeous sweet potato dumplings into bowls and finish with a crack or two of fresh black pepper if you like. This is one of those meals that works just as well for a cozy weeknight dinner or showing off to friends. I promise it’ll impress every time.

Top Tip

From my many attempts at soups and dumplings, I learned some tricks that really elevate this recipe and help you avoid common pitfalls—trust me, these little things make a big difference.

Rest the Turkey: Letting the turkey come to room temp before searing prevents it from drying out and ensures even cooking.
Don’t Overmix Dumplings: Stir the dumpling dough gently to keep them tender and fluffy; overworking leads to tough dumplings.
Cover While Cooking Dumplings: Steaming the dumplings under a lid traps heat and moisture, making them perfectly soft without drying out.
Watch Dumpling Size: Too big, and they won’t cook all the way through; too small, and they can fall apart. I aim for about 2-3 tablespoons per dumpling.

How to Serve Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with freshly ground black pepper and sometimes a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley or chives for a little color. A drizzle of good olive oil or a sprinkle of smoked paprika on top can also brighten things up if you want a bit more flair. I highly recommend serving it piping hot—the aroma alone is part of the experience!

Side Dishes

A crusty artisan bread or some warm cornbread pairs perfectly to soak up that flavorful broth. If you want to keep it light, a simple green salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness gorgeously.

Creative Ways to Present

For a special touch, I’ve served this soup in wide mugs or rustic mini cast iron pots that keep it warm longer at the table. You can ladle just a few dumplings per bowl and arrange some fresh herbs artfully on top — it makes for a cozy yet elegant presentation during holiday dinners or weekend brunches.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually store the soup and dumplings together in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors tend to deepen overnight, which is a win in my book.

Freezing

When freezing, I recommend holding off on adding the dumplings. Freeze the broth and turkey base separately, then make fresh dumplings to drop in when you reheat. Dumplings can get a bit dense if frozen and reheated, so this keeps that soft texture intact.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. If the soup seems thick, add a splash of broth or water. For dumplings, cover the pot to steam them back up without drying. Microwaving works in a pinch but can toughen dumplings if overdone.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover cooked turkey for this soup?

Yes! You can absolutely use leftover cooked turkey—just add it in when the soup is almost done simmering, so it warms through without overcooking. Skip the initial searing step in this case.

What if I don’t have sweet potatoes for the dumplings?

You can substitute with regular mashed potatoes or even pumpkin puree, but sweet potatoes lend a unique sweetness and moisture that really elevate the dumplings.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for the dumplings. Make sure your stock and other ingredients are gluten-free as well.

Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?

I don’t recommend making the dumplings too far ahead because the baking powder loses its leavening power quickly. For best results, mix and drop them right before cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe holds a special place in my kitchen. The way the dumplings soak up the flavorful broth, combined with tender turkey and aromatic herbs, always brings a smile to my face and warmth to my soul. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—it's the kind of dish that feels like home, no matter where you are.