Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings
Ingredients
- 2 lbturkey breast tenderloins
- to tastekosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 4 tbspunsalted butter
- 2 tbspextra virgin olive oil
- 4celery hearts
chopped
- 2 mediumcarrots
chopped
- 1 mediumwhite onion
finely chopped
- 6 clovesgarlic
finely minced
- 6 sprigsfresh thyme
- 3bay leaves
- ½ tspdried oregano
- ½ tspsmoked paprika
- ½ tspjamaican allspice
- 8 cturkey or chicken stock/broth
- 1 cfrozen peas
- 1 ¼ call-purpose flour
- ½ cfine yellow cornmeal
- 1 tbspbaking powder
- 4 tbspsalted butter
melted
- ¾ cwhole buttermilk
- ¼ cmashed sweet potato or sweet potato puree
Directions
- 1
Place the turkey tenderloins into a large bowl or vessel and season them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cover the bowl with a lid/plastic wrap and set aside for about 25-30 minutes to reach room temperature before proceeding to the step below.
- 2
In a large dutch oven or stock pot, warm up the butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the mixture is sizzling, add in the seasoned turkey tenderloins. Brown the tenderloins for about 2-3 minutes on each side. Note: brown only to achieve a nice, golden sear on both sides- the turkey will cook through completely, later on. Then remove the turkey and set aside onto a cleaned plate.
- 3
Add in the chopped celery, carrots, and onion. Use a wooden utensil to stir the mixture together, scraping up any bits on the bottom of the pot, and sauté until soft and tender, about 4-5 minutes. Add in the garlic and stir together until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 4
Place the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves along with the seasonings: oregano, paprika, and allspice into the pot. Stir everything together to fully combine and allow the spices to warm up and lightly toast, stirring continuously, about 1 minute.
- 5
Add the reserved turkey tenderloins back into the same pot. Cover the turkey with the stock and carefully stir everything together to combine, making sure all of the turkey is submerged under the liquid.
- 6
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting and cover the pot with a lid. Allow the mixture to simmer together for 45-50 minutes.
- 7
Then remove the turkey from the pot and place onto a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the turkey into pieces. Once all of the turkey is shredded, add it back into the pot and stir to combine. Leave the pot uncovered while you prepare the dumplings, below.
- 8
To make dumplings: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornmeal, and baking powder. Pour in the melted butter and buttermilk along with the mashed/puréed sweet potato. Stir the mixture together with a spatula until the dough comes together and is just combined- careful not to overwork. Let the dumpling mixture sit for 1-2 minutes to activate the baking powder (you will see the dumpling mixture get super fluffy).
- 9
Back to the soup, add in the frozen peas and stir to combine. Using a spoon or a spring-loaded scooper; drop 2-3 tablespoons of the dumpling dough directly on top of hot soup, all over, covering the top of soup. Spoon some of the broth over the tops of each dumpling.
- 10
Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for 10-15 minutes. Afterwards, the dumplings should be cooked through and fluffy.
- 11
Uncover the pot and remove the soup from heat. Ladle the turkey soup with sweet potato dumplings into bowls (remove thyme sprigs/bay leaves) and serve immediately with a few cracks of freshly ground black pepper, if desired. Enjoy!
Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings
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Ratings & Reviews
Based on 5 ratings
Rating Breakdown
About this Recipe
Craving a bowl of something truly comforting and profoundly delicious? This Turkey Soup with Sweet Potato Dumplings delivers the coziest of vibes, transforming simple ingredients into a hearty meal that feels both wholesome and special. It’s the perfect way to bring warmth to your table, whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a post-holiday gathering.
Why This Soup is a Must-Make
The secret to this turkey soup lies in its incredibly rich, savory broth, built on a foundation of aromatic vegetables like celery, carrots, onion, and garlic, elevated by fresh thyme, bay leaves, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and Jamaican allspice. But what truly sets it apart are the pillowy-soft and subtly sweet potato dumplings. These tender morsels, made with all-purpose flour, fine yellow cornmeal, and real mashed sweet potato, add an unparalleled texture and flavor dimension that makes every spoonful utterly satisfying.
Prepare for a hearty, deeply flavorful experience. The succulent turkey pieces, infused with the savory broth and a medley of herbs and spices, offer a comforting depth. Each bite of the light, fluffy sweet potato dumplings provides a wonderful counterpoint, offering a delicate sweetness and incredible texture that balances the rich soup. You’ll find yourself savoring every spoonful of this robust and inviting dish.
Customization & Variations
This versatile turkey soup welcomes your personal touch. While turkey breast tenderloins are specified, you can easily use leftover roasted turkey or even chicken for a similar effect. To make it vegetarian-friendly, simply omit the turkey and double up on the vegetables, ensuring you use vegetable stock instead of turkey or chicken stock. Don't have fresh thyme? A teaspoon of dried thyme can work in a pinch, though fresh is always preferred for its vibrant aroma. You can also experiment with different root vegetables like parsnips or rutabaga for added complexity.
Serve this delightful turkey soup as a satisfying appetizer, or make it the star of a light dinner. It’s especially wonderful on a chilly evening and perfectly complements a side of crusty bread for dipping. Imagine a cozy evening by the fire, a bowl of this fragrant, comforting soup in hand—pure bliss.