Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe

Learn how to make the best homemade dumpling soup with this easy baking recipe. Light, fluffy dumplings that float in rich, savory broth create the ultimate comfort food. The secret to perfect dumplings lies in gentle handling of the dough for that melt-in-your-mouth texture every time.

Difficulty:

Beginner

Prep Time:

20 mins

Cook Time:

35 mins

Serves:

6 bowls

Ingredients

<ul class="ingredients-main-list"> <li class="ingredients-single-item">For the broth:</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1.5 liters chicken stock (homemade or high-quality store-bought)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 medium carrots, diced</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 celery stalks, diced</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 medium onion, finely chopped</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 garlic cloves, minced</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp olive oil</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 bay leaf</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tsp dried thyme</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">Salt and pepper to taste</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">For the dumplings:</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">200g plain flour</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1 tbsp baking powder</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp salt</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">1/2 tsp dried herbs (thyme or parsley)</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">80g cold butter, cubed</li> <li class="ingredients-single-item">120ml cold milk</li> </ul>

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

🍽️ Serving Size: 1 serving

🔥 Calories: 320 calories

🥑 Fat: 14 g

🧈 Saturated Fat: 6 g

🍞 Carbohydrates: 38 g

🍭 Sugar: 4 g

🍗 Protein: 12 g

🫀 Cholesterol: 45 mg

🧂 Sodium: 780 mg

Equipment

<ul class="equipment-main-list"> <li class="equipment-single-item">Large soup pot or Dutch oven</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Mixing bowls</li> <li class="equipment-single-item">Pastry cutter (or two forks)</li> </ul>

Directions

<ol class="no-list-style"> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 1</h4> Start by preparing the soup base. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 2</h4> Add the diced carrots and celery to the pot, stirring to coat with oil. Cook for 5 minutes until they begin to soften. This gradual cooking releases the vegetables' natural sweetness into the broth. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 3</h4> Pour in the chicken stock, add the bay leaf and dried thyme, then season with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 15 minutes until vegetables are tender but still hold their shape. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 4</h4> While the soup simmers, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and dried herbs. The baking powder is crucial as it creates carbon dioxide when it meets the liquid and heat, making your dumplings light and fluffy. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 5</h4> Add the cold cubed butter to the flour mixture. Using a pastry cutter or two forks, cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Working with cold butter is essential - it creates small pockets that expand during cooking, resulting in tender, flaky dumplings. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 6</h4> Gradually stir in the cold milk until a soft, sticky dough forms. Be careful not to overmix - stop as soon as the ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops gluten, which can make your dumplings tough rather than tender. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 7</h4> Once the soup vegetables are tender, taste the broth and adjust seasonings if needed. Make sure the soup is at a gentle simmer - not a rolling boil - before adding dumplings. Too vigorous a boil can cause the dumplings to break apart. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 8</h4> Using a tablespoon, scoop up portions of the dumpling dough and gently drop them on top of the simmering soup. Leave space between each dumpling as they will expand while cooking. Aim for 12-14 dumplings total. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 9</h4> Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 15 minutes without peeking. The steam trapped under the lid cooks the tops of the dumplings while the bottoms cook in the simmering broth. Resist the urge to lift the lid during cooking as this releases the steam needed for proper dumpling formation. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 10</h4> After 15 minutes, check that the dumplings are cooked through by inserting a toothpick into the center of one - it should come out clean. The dumplings should look puffy and feel firm but tender to the touch. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 11</h4> Remove the bay leaf, sprinkle fresh parsley over the soup, and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. This resting time allows the dumplings to set up perfectly and the flavors to meld together. </li> <li class="MethodStepper"> <h4 class="step-title">Step 12</h4> Ladle the soup and dumplings into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a good portion of both. The dumplings will have absorbed some of the flavorful broth, making them even more delicious. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy this comforting, homemade delight! </li> </ol>

FAQs

Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.

What ingredients are used in Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe?

This warming soup combines chicken stock, diced vegetables (carrots, celery, onion), herbs (thyme, parsley), and homemade dumplings made from flour, baking powder, butter, milk, and seasonings. The result is a comforting broth with pillowy, tender dumplings.

How to cook Homemade Dumpling Soup Recipe at home?

Learn how to cook Homemade Dumpling Soup by first creating a flavourful broth with sautéed vegetables and chicken stock. While it simmers, prepare light dumpling dough by gently incorporating cold butter and milk into dry ingredients. Drop spoonfuls onto simmering broth, cover and cook for 15 minutes without peeking to ensure perfectly fluffy, tender dumplings.

Why do my soup dumplings always turn out dense instead of fluffy?

Dense dumplings usually result from overmixing the dough (which develops gluten) or using warm ingredients. Always use cold butter and milk, and mix just until combined. Also, ensure you're cooking with the pot covered on a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, and resist peeking during the cooking process.

Can I freeze leftover dumpling soup for later?

Yes, but for best results, freeze the broth and vegetables separately from the dumplings. Freshly made dumplings always have superior texture. If you must freeze everything together, expect the dumplings to become slightly softer upon reheating. Use within 2-3 months and reheat gently.

What's the secret to making sure dumplings don't fall apart in the soup?

The key is maintaining a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil, when adding and cooking dumplings. Drop them carefully onto the soup's surface, don't stir the pot after adding them, and keep the pot covered while cooking. The gentle steam cooks the tops while the simmering broth sets the bottoms.

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