Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is a comforting, hearty dinner that’s better than takeout. After making this many times, I’ve perfected the creamy peas and fluffy dumplings. The trick I discovered is to cook the peas separately before adding the dumplings. This ensures the dumplings stay light and fluffy. The golden, melt-in-your-mouth dumplings are the perfect finish to this classic Southern dish. Try it with my Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Slow Cooker Beef and Cheddar Sandwiches Recipe and Easy S’mores Cookie Cake Recipe Perfect for Dessert.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Creamy peas with a hint of sweetness
- Fluffy dumplings that absorb the flavors
- One-pot meal for easy cleanup
- Comforting and satisfying dinner option
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 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- Optional: Crumbled bacon
- Optional: Shredded cheddar cheese
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- chicken broth: You can substitute vegetable broth for a vegetarian version.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Instant Pot — Cooks peas and dumplings in half the time. → See on Amazon
- Mixing bowls set — Keeps ingredients organized and mess to a minimum. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Cook the peas: Combine peas and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make the dumpling dough: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and egg until smooth.
- Drop the dumplings: Using a spoon, drop dollops of dough into the simmering peas. Cover and cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Finish cooking: Uncover and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in butter and seasonings. Serve hot with optional toppings.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Avoid overmixing the dumpling dough to prevent tough dumplings. If they're tough, add more milk to the dough next time.
- Expert tip: For extra flavor, sauté some onions and garlic in the butter before adding it to the peas.
- Time-saving tip: You can make the dumpling dough ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to use.
- Nutrition tip: To make this dish healthier, use whole wheat flour for the dumplings and reduce the amount of butter.
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 3 days. Make-ahead tip: You can make the peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Freeze cooked peas and dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the bacon topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the peas with corn or mixed vegetables.
- Make-ahead: Cook the peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dumplings are sticking to the pot, add more broth and gently stir.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast iron pot — Even heat distribution for perfect dumplings every time. → 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 tbsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
Optional Toppings
- Crumbled bacon
- Shredded cheddar cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Cook the peas: Combine peas and broth in a large pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Make the dumpling dough: In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and egg until smooth.
- Drop the dumplings: Using a spoon, drop dollops of dough into the simmering peas. Cover and cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Finish cooking: Uncover and cook for another 5 minutes. Stir in butter and seasonings. Serve hot with optional toppings.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth and skip the bacon topping.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the peas with corn or mixed vegetables.
- Make-ahead: Cook the peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled to serve more people.
- Troubleshooting: If the dumplings are sticking to the pot, add more broth and gently stir.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze cooked peas and dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw and reheat before serving.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Make ahead: You can make the peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 450
- Protein: 18g
- Fat: 12g
- Carbs: 65g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 1200mg
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sat. Fat: 7g
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 cook the peas ahead of time and reheat before adding the dumplings. However, it's best to cook the dumplings fresh as they can become soggy when reheated.
Overmixing the dough can cause tough dumplings. Try not to overmix and add more milk if necessary.
Yes, you can use fresh peas. Cook them for a little longer until tender.
Use whole wheat flour for the dumplings and reduce the amount of butter. You can also add more vegetables to the peas.
Yes, you can cook the peas in the slow cooker on low for 4-6 hours. Add the dumplings in the last 15-20 minutes of cooking.
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!
