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 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 comforting and cozy about a warm bowl of homemade soup, especially when it’s packed with tender turkey and fluffy little dumplings. This Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe hits that perfect spot between hearty and slightly sweet, making it an absolute favorite in my kitchen when the weather turns chilly.

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 can’t tell you how many times I’ve turned to this soup when I wanted something nourishing but also special enough to feel like a treat. The combination of fragrant herbs, rich turkey broth, and those slightly sweet, pillowy dumplings made from sweet potato? It’s pure magic.

Comfort food elevated: The sweet potato dumplings add a unique twist that’s both tender and flavorful compared to typical flour dumplings.
Made with simple ingredients: You probably already have everything on hand or can easily find it at any grocery store.
Perfect for leftovers: The flavors deepen over time, making this a great soup to enjoy for several days.
Customizable and forgiving: You can tweak the herbs, dumpling size, or even swap the turkey for chicken if you like.

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

Each ingredient in this Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe serves a purpose. The turkey provides lean protein and flavor, while the veggies build a fragrant base. Sweet potato adds a subtle sweetness and moisture to the dumplings that’s just wonderful.

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 but tender with a mild flavor, perfect for shredding into soup.
Unsalted butter & olive oil: Provides richness and helps brown the turkey and soften the veggies.
Celery, carrots, and onion: Classic aromatics that create depth and sweetness in the broth.
Garlic: Adds that warm, savory punch that rounds out the flavor.
Fresh thyme and bay leaves: Herbs that infuse the broth with a lovely earthy note.
Dried oregano, smoked paprika, and Jamaican allspice: A blend of spices that lift the soup beyond the ordinary.
Turkey or chicken stock: The heart of your soup, making it rich and soulful.
Frozen peas: A pop of color and fresh sweetness near the end.
All-purpose flour and yellow cornmeal: Together they give the dumplings structure and a slight corn flavor.
Baking powder: Makes the dumplings light and fluffy.
Buttered sweet potato purée and buttermilk: Adds moisture, subtle sweetness, and a tender crumb to the dumplings.

📝

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 making this soup just as written, but you can absolutely lean into your own tastes. Sometimes I swap out the turkey tenderloins for leftover roasted turkey, and other times I’m all about adding fresh herbs like parsley or sage for an extra layer of aroma.

Variation: One time, I added diced sweet corn and fresh spinach near the end for some extra texture and color — it was like a mini celebration in every spoonful.
Dietary changes: To keep it gluten-free, I use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in the dumplings, and it turns out beautifully every single time.
Make it heartier: If you want a chunkier soup, add in potatoes or parsnips with the veggies and adjust the seasoning accordingly.

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

Step 1: Season and Brown the Turkey

I always start by seasoning my turkey breast tenderloins generously with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. Letting them rest at room temperature for about 25-30 minutes really helps the seasoning soak in and ensures more even cooking. When you're ready, brown them in a mix of butter and olive oil until you get a nice golden crust—just 2-3 minutes per side. Don’t worry about cooking through here; this just locks in those flavors and creates a tasty base for your soup.

Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics

With the turkey resting on a clean plate, toss in your chopped celery, carrot, and onion. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up any tasty browned bits left from the turkey—that’s where a lot of the flavor lives! Cook these veggies over medium heat until they’re softened, around 4-5 minutes. Then add garlic and stir it in until fragrant, about 1 minute—try not to let it brown or it might turn bitter.

Step 3: Add Herbs and Spices

Next, toss in fresh thyme sprigs, bay leaves, oregano, smoked paprika, and Jamaican allspice. Stir everything together for about a minute to toast those spices gently—this is a little trick I learned that really multiplies the flavor depth.

Step 4: Simmer the Soup

Return the browned turkey tenderloins to the pot and pour in the turkey or chicken stock so the meat is fully submerged. Bring everything to a low simmer, cover, and let it cook gently for 45-50 minutes. This slow simmer makes the turkey incredibly tender and gives the broth time to soak up all those wonderful flavors.

Step 5: Shred Turkey and Prep Dumplings

Once the turkey is tender, fish it out and shred it with two forks—this part always feels satisfying, like turning your hard work into the delicious payoff. Set the shredded turkey aside. While the soup simmers a bit more, mix the flour, cornmeal, and baking powder in a bowl, then stir in melted butter, buttermilk, and mashed sweet potato until just combined. Let the dough rest briefly; this helps the dumplings puff up nicely in the soup.

Step 6: Finish the Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings

Stir the frozen peas into the soup, then drop spoonfuls of dumpling dough on top. You want them to float on the surface, so they cook through without sinking. Cover and simmer gently for 10-15 minutes until the dumplings are fluffy and cooked inside. Then stir in the shredded turkey back into the pot, and you’re ready to serve!

Top Tip

This recipe really shines with a few little tricks I’ve learned along the way that make a big difference in the final result. Take your time browning the turkey and toasting the spices; it’s worth every second.

Rest the turkey first: Allowing the turkey to come closer to room temperature before searing prevents it from getting tough.
Don’t overmix dumplings: Stir just until combined to keep them light and tender, overworking will make them dense.
Lid on for dumplings: Make sure the pot stays covered during the cooking of dumplings to trap steam and cook them evenly.
Season at the end: Taste the soup after dumplings cook and adjust salt or pepper, since dumplings can mellow out flavors.

How to Serve Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe

Turkey Sweet Potato Soup - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually finish off each bowl with a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper to brighten things up. Sometimes, I sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or thyme leaves if I want a pop of green and a bit of fresh herb flavor—that always feels festive and inviting.

Side Dishes

My go-to sides are simple and comforting—like a crusty baguette for dipping or a light mixed green salad dressed with lemon vinaigrette. If I’m really feeling indulgent, a small side of roasted Brussels sprouts pairs nicely with the sweetness of the dumplings.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners or cozy gatherings, I love serving this soup in rustic mugs or mini soup crocks, which makes each serving feel extra personal. A sprinkle of crispy shallots or a drizzle of chili oil on top adds a surprising flair if you want to impress guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover soup in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. I find the dumplings hold up really well without getting soggy, but I always keep the soup covered to maintain its freshness and moisture.

Freezing

Freezing is a bit trickier because dumplings can change texture after thawing. I prefer to freeze the soup base without dumplings, then make fresh dumplings when I reheat it. That way, you still get that soft, fluffy bite every time.

Reheating

When reheating, do it gently over low heat so the soup warms evenly, stirring occasionally. If you froze just the soup, add the dumplings and cook them fresh before serving for best texture. If reheating soup with dumplings, keep the lid on to steam and prevent drying out.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use leftover turkey instead of raw turkey breast tenderloins?

Yes! If you have leftover cooked turkey, feel free to add it shredded near the end of cooking. Just skip the browning step and adjust the simmering time accordingly to avoid overcooking the meat.

How do I make this recipe gluten-free?

You can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free 1:1 baking flour blend for the dumplings. Just make sure your cornmeal and baking powder are gluten-free as well for the best results.

What’s the best way to store the leftovers?

Store the soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To preserve dumpling texture longer, freeze the soup base separately and add fresh dumplings when reheating.

Can I make the dumplings ahead of time?

The dumpling batter is best used immediately after mixing and resting 1-2 minutes. Making them in advance can affect their rise and texture, so I recommend preparing them fresh before cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings Recipe really feels like a hug in a bowl. Whether you’re recovering from a busy day or gearing up for a cozy night in, it’s a wonderful way to bring warmth and comfort to the table. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do — and don’t be surprised if it quickly becomes one of your go-to recipes when you want a little extra love in your meal.