Christmas leftovers stew with bread sauce dumplings Recipe – American Special
Christmas Leftovers Stew with Bread Sauce Dumplings is a hearty and comforting dish, perfect for using up your holiday leftovers. This stew combines leftover turkey, ham, vegetables, and gravy, simmered together in a rich, savory broth. The addition of bread sauce dumplings – a traditional holiday side – adds a unique, fluffy twist to the dish. It’s a great way to repurpose festive leftovers into a new, delicious meal while keeping the holiday spirit alive!
- Prep Time20 min
- Cook Time45 min
- Total Time1 hr 5 min
For the Stew:
- 2 cups leftover turkey (or chicken), shredded
- 1 cup leftover ham, diced
- 2 cups leftover vegetables (such as carrots, peas, Brussels sprouts, etc.)
- 2 cups leftover gravy (or use store-bought if preferred)
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme or mixed herbs
- 1 bay leaf
For the Bread Sauce Dumplings:
- 2 cups stale bread, cubed
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 small onion, peeled and studded with 2 cloves
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 egg, beaten
- Salt and pepper, to taste
For the Stew:
Prepare the base:
In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.
Add the chopped onion and garlic, and saute for about 5 minutes until softened.
Make the stew:
Add the leftover gravy, broth, and herbs (thyme or mixed herbs) to the pot.
Bring to a simmer.
Add the shredded turkey, diced ham, and leftover vegetables to the pot.
Stir to combine, and let the stew simmer for 20-30 minutes until everything is heated through. Season with salt and pepper to taste
Remove the bay leaf.
For the Bread Sauce Dumplings:
Make the bread sauce:
In a small saucepan, heat the milk and studded onion (with cloves) over medium heat.
Bring it to a simmer and let it infuse for 5-10 minutes. Remove the onion and discard it.
Prepare the dumpling mixture:
In a large bowl, combine the stale bread cubes with the milk mixture and butter.
Stir in the nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Let the bread soak up the milk.
Once the bread is soaked, add the beaten egg and mix until everything is well combined.
Form and cook the dumplings:
Form the bread mixture into small dumplings, about the size of a golf ball.
Drop the dumplings gently into the simmering stew and cook for 10-15 minutes until they are puffed and cooked through.
Serve:
Spoon the stew into bowls, making sure to include a few bread sauce dumplings with each serving.
Enjoy your comforting Christmas Leftovers Stew with Bread Sauce Dumplings!
Recipe Notes:
Meat: Use leftover turkey, ham, or any meat you have.
Veggies: Add any leftover vegetables like carrots or peas.
Gravy & Broth: Use leftover gravy or store-bought.
Dumplings: Use stale bread and soak it in milk.
Cooking Time: Let the stew simmer for 20-30 minutes.
