If you’ve ever wished your leftover turkey could magically transform into a comforting, soul-warming meal, this Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe is exactly what you need. It’s a cozy hug in a bowl, made easy by your trusty slow cooker, turning simple ingredients and leftover turkey into something truly special. Whether it’s chilly weather, a busy weeknight, or you just want that classic comfort food fix, this recipe delivers every single time.

What I love most about this Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe is how effortlessly it comes together — you literally toss your ingredients in and let the slow cooker work its magic. The tender turkey and veggies soak up all those lovely herbs and broth flavors, while fluffy dumplings cuddle up on top. It’s a perfect dish for relaxing at home, and the kind that makes friends and family ask for seconds (and the recipe!).

Ingredients You’ll Need

All these ingredients work harmoniously to build layers of flavor and offer a rustic, hearty texture. Using leftover turkey keeps things economical, and the fresh herbs bring that perfect hint of earthiness that makes this soup sing.

Leftover turkey: I prefer shredded, but cubed works too – either way, it soaks up the broth beautifully.
Turkey or chicken broth: Using homemade broth or leftover drippings makes a big difference in flavor, just be sure to skim off excess fat.
Yellow onion: Adds a mild sweetness that mellows out during the slow cooking process.
Carrots: Their natural sweetness balances the savory elements perfectly.
Celery ribs: Provide subtle crunch and depth in every bite.
Garlic: Fresh minced garlic boosts the flavor while keeping it comforting, never overpowering.
Fresh thyme: I love plucking the leaves off the sprigs — fresh herbs brighten the broth more than dried, but dried works in a pinch.
Fresh sage: When available, fresh sage is wonderful here; it adds that classic poultry herb aroma.
Salt and black pepper: Adjust these to taste as the broth and leftovers might already have some seasoning.
All-purpose flour: The base of your dumplings; make sure it’s fresh for best results.
Baking powder: Key to fluffy, tender dumplings that aren’t dense or doughy.
Milk: Whole milk gives richness, but you can swap in any milk you have on hand.
Unsalted butter: Melted butter adds a tender, buttery finish to your dumplings.

Variations

One of the best things about this Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe is how easy it is to make your own with little tweaks. Personalizing it to what you have or prefer keeps things exciting and lets you cater to dietary needs or seasonal ingredients.

Vegetable-packed variation: I sometimes add chopped potatoes or parsnips to bulk it up even more — they soak up the broth so nicely!
Herb swaps: If you don’t have fresh sage, dried oregano or rosemary work well too and give the soup a slightly different but still delicious twist.
Gluten-free dumplings: Use gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to keep it gluten-free; just watch the cooking times as GF dumplings can cook faster.
Spicy kick: For a little heat, I add a pinch of red pepper flakes — just enough to warm the palate but not overpower.
Mushroom and turkey combo: Adding sliced mushrooms deepens the umami flavor and is a great way to add earthiness.

How to Make Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe

Step 1: Prep and Load Your Slow Cooker

Start by tossing your shredded or cubed turkey into the slow cooker with the broth, chopped onion, carrots, celery, garlic, thyme, sage, salt, and pepper. Give everything a good stir so the ingredients are well mixed. This is the foundation — the slow cooker will do the heavy lifting here, melding flavors and softening veggies perfectly over the next few hours.

Step 2: Let It Cook Low and Slow

Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on LOW for 6 to 8 hours, or if you’re short on time, HIGH for 3 to 4 hours. The low and slow method is my favorite because it really draws out all the rich turkey flavor and gives the veggies a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Just avoid lifting the lid too often—the heat loss can add time to the cooking process.

Step 3: Prepare the Dumpling Dough

About 30 minutes before the soup finishes cooking, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Pour in the milk and melted butter, stirring gently until just combined. The dough will be slightly sticky – avoid overmixing to keep the dumplings light and fluffy.

Step 4: Add Dumplings to the Soup

Drop spoonfuls of your dumpling dough onto the surface of the soup, spacing them evenly. Gently nudge the dumplings so they’re covered by the broth—this ensures they cook through properly. Then cover the slow cooker again and crank it to HIGH for another hour. Keep the lid shut tight to trap steam and help those dumplings puff up beautifully.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Once the dumplings have fully cooked, gently stir the soup just to distribute the dumplings throughout. Ladle yourself a generous bowl, grab your favorite spoon, and get ready to enjoy this cozy, filling meal!

How to Serve Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe

The image shows ingredients neatly arranged on a white marbled surface. At the center top is a white bowl filled with shredded cooked chicken mixed with small pieces of yellow. Around it, from left to right, there is a small bunch of thyme, a whole brown onion, chopped green celery in small cubes, and three whole orange carrots. Below these, from left to right, are a small white bowl filled with yellow liquid, a white bowl full of white flour, and a small white plate holding a square piece of butter. The scene is bright and clean, with no other items present. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love sprinkling fresh parsley or thyme on top before serving—the bright green herbs add a fresh pop of flavor and color. Sometimes a little cracked black pepper on top finishes it perfectly. If you like a touch of richness, a pat of butter melting on the hot soup is cozy and indulgent.

Side Dishes

This soup is hearty enough on its own but pairs wonderfully with crusty bread or warm biscuits for dipping. I also like serving a simple green salad on the side to balance the richness and add some crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

For special dinners, I’ve served this Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe in mini Dutch ovens or bread bowls to really wow guests. Garnishing with a little fresh thyme sprig makes it feel extra homey and restaurant-quality at the same time.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover soup keeps beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. I always let it cool completely before sealing it up to keep those flavors fresh and the dumplings from getting mushy.

Freezing

I’ve frozen this soup both with and without dumplings. Dumplings can get a little softer after freezing, so if you want to preserve texture, freeze the soup and dumplings separately or freeze the soup first and add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Reheating

Reheat gently over low heat on the stove, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and to warm the dumplings evenly. Microwaving works too but do it in intervals and stir between, so the dumplings don’t dry out. Adding a splash of broth or water while reheating helps keep everything nice and moist.

FAQs

Can I use fresh turkey instead of leftovers in this Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe?

Absolutely! Just make sure to cook the turkey fully in the slow cooker before adding the dumplings. Using fresh turkey might mean a longer cooking time initially to ensure it’s tender and safe to eat.
What if I don’t have a slow cooker? Can I make this on the stove?

Yes! You can cook all the ingredients except the dumplings on the stovetop over low heat for about 45 minutes to an hour until veggies are tender and flavors meld. Add dumplings last and simmer gently until cooked through, about 15-20 minutes.
How do I know when the dumplings are done?

The dumplings will puff up and become firm to the touch after about an hour on HIGH in the slow cooker. When you insert a toothpick or fork, it should come out clean or with just a little fluff attached.
Can I add other vegetables to this recipe?

Definitely! Feel free to add peas, green beans, or even corn towards the end of cooking for extra color and texture. Just add delicate veggies in the last 30 minutes to keep them from getting mushy.
Is this recipe freezer-friendly with the dumplings included?

Freezing with dumplings is possible but can alter their texture slightly. For the best texture, freeze soup and dumplings separately, then add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Turkey and Dumplings Soup Recipe has become a comfort food staple in my home — it’s like a warm memory you can eat any time. There’s something genuinely special about digging into savory broth, tender turkey, and fluffy dumplings after a long day. I truly hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it becomes one of your go-to recipes when you want a little extra comfort and love in your meal.