Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is a classic comfort food that’s perfect for busy weeknights. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly tender dumplings every time. The creamy, hearty broth is filled with fresh peas and melt-in-your-mouth dumplings. Jump to the recipe card or keep reading for my best tips. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Crispy Cheesy Potato Skins with Bacon and Creamy Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan Soup with Tortellini.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly tender dumplings every time
- Creamy, hearty broth filled with fresh peas
- Better than takeout and freezer-friendly
- Easy to customize with your favorite veggies
What You'll Need for Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Choosing the right ingredients makes a big difference, but this recipe is forgiving enough to work with what you have.
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp thyme
- Optional: Crispy bacon
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
📝 Ingredient Notes
- frozen peas: You can also use fresh peas, but you'll need to adjust the cooking time.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Saves time and energy by cooking peas and dumplings simultaneously. → See on Amazon
- Cast Iron Skillet — Distributes heat evenly for perfectly cooked dumplings. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine chicken broth, peas, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: While the broth is heating, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and egg, then stir until a soft dough forms.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 10-12 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through and floating.
- Step 4: Stir in butter and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- General tip: For fluffier dumplings, don't overmix the dough.
- Common mistake and fix: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, add a little more broth or water and gently stir.
- Time-saving tip: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Nutrition tip: Add some diced carrots or celery to the pot for extra veggies and nutrition.
Storing & Reheating Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Short-Term Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Make-ahead tip: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker broth, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and stir it in before adding the dumplings.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, add a little more broth or water and gently stir.
Want to level up this recipe?
High-quality chicken broth — Enhances the flavor of the broth and makes the dumplings taste even better. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 tsp thyme
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon
- Chopped fresh parsley
- Shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine chicken broth, peas, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: While the broth is heating, prepare the dumpling dough. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and egg, then stir until a soft dough forms.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling broth. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for 10-12 minutes or until dumplings are cooked through and floating.
- Step 4: Stir in butter and serve hot with your favorite toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker broth, mix 1 tbsp of cornstarch with 2 tbsp of water and stir it in before adding the dumplings.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a healthier option.
- Make-ahead: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Scaling: This recipe can easily be doubled or halved to serve more or fewer people.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are sticking to the pot, add a little more broth or water and gently stir.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 10g
- Carbs: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 6g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, you can prepare the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to use. However, it's best to cook the peas and dumplings fresh for the best texture and flavor.
Overmixing the dough or not letting the dumplings simmer long enough can result in tough dumplings. Be sure not to overmix the dough and let the dumplings simmer for at least 10-12 minutes.
Yes, you can cook the peas and broth in the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours, then add the dumpling dough and cook on high for an additional 15-20 minutes.
Southern Peas and Dumplings pairs well with a side of cornbread, biscuits, or a green salad.
Yes, you can use fresh peas instead of frozen. However, you'll need to adjust the cooking time to account for the longer cooking time of fresh peas.
A Warm Final Note
I can’t wait for you to try Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner and see how effortlessly it comes together. When you make it, pop back here and leave a rating or share how it turned out — I love hearing from you!
