Easy Dumpling Soup

Easy Dumpling Soup is a comforting, hearty dish perfect for chilly days, weeknight dinners, or anytime you crave a bowl of warm goodness. Fluffy dumplings float in a flavorful broth loaded with vegetables, tender chicken, or pork, making it a complete and satisfying meal.

This recipe is simple, quick, and doesn’t require complicated techniques, yet it delivers a rich, homemade taste that everyone will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Quick and easy to make
Fluffy, tender dumplings
Hearty, flavorful broth
Can be customized with vegetables or proteins
Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep

Ingredients

For the Broth

6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 carrots, sliced
2 celery stalks, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian herbs
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the Dumplings

1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
1 tablespoon butter, melted
½ cup milk

Optional protein: shredded cooked chicken, cooked pork, or tofu

Equipment

Large pot
Mixing bowl
Whisk
Spoon for dropping dumplings

Prep Time

Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20–25 minutes
Total time: ~40 minutes

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Broth

In a large pot, heat a little oil over medium heat. Sauté onions, carrots, and celery until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add garlic and cook for another minute.
Pour in broth, add thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 2: Make the Dumpling Dough

In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and parsley.
Stir in melted butter and milk until a soft dough forms. The dough should be slightly sticky but hold together.

Step 3: Drop Dumplings into Soup

Using a spoon, drop small spoonfuls of dough into the simmering broth.
Cover the pot and let dumplings cook for 10–12 minutes. Do not lift the lid while they are cooking to ensure they puff up properly.

Step 4: Add Protein (Optional)

If using pre-cooked chicken, pork, or tofu, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking to heat through.

Step 5: Serve

Ladle the soup into bowls, ensuring each serving gets a few dumplings. Sprinkle with extra parsley if desired. Serve hot for a cozy meal.

Tips for Perfect Dumplings

Do not overmix the dough—overmixing makes dumplings tough.
Keep the broth at a gentle simmer; rolling boil may break the dumplings.
Cover the pot while cooking dumplings for the fluffiest texture.
Adjust seasoning at the end; dumplings absorb flavor from the broth.
Add vegetables like peas, corn, or spinach for extra nutrition.

Variations

Chicken Dumpling Soup: Add shredded cooked chicken and carrots
Vegetarian: Use vegetable broth and add mushrooms, zucchini, or bell peppers
Herby: Mix fresh herbs like dill, thyme, or chives into the dumpling dough
Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne or chili flakes to the broth for heat

Storage

Store leftover soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
Dumplings are best eaten fresh, but leftover broth can be reheated with freshly made dumplings.
Soup can be frozen without dumplings for up to 3 months; add dumplings when reheating.

A Cozy, Homemade Meal

Easy Dumpling Soup is the ultimate comfort food: warm, hearty, and satisfying. With tender dumplings, a flavorful broth, and plenty of vegetables, it’s a family-friendly dish that’s perfect for any day of the week. Its simplicity makes it ideal for busy cooks, yet the homemade taste makes it feel like a labor of love.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20–25 minutes
Total Time: ~40 minutes
Servings: 4–6