Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food for a quick dinner. After making this many times, I’ve learned the secret to perfectly creamy peas and light, fluffy dumplings. The warm, cozy aroma will fill your home and make your family beg for seconds. Try it with my Easy Chicken Grape Salad for a complete meal. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Chicken Grape Salad Recipe and Easy Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Perfectly creamy peas every time
- Light and fluffy dumplings
- One-pot easy cleanup
- Better than takeout taste
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 fresh or frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
- Optional: Crispy bacon bits
- Optional: Chopped fresh parsley
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Peas: Fresh or frozen both work well. No need to thaw frozen peas.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Cast Iron Skillet — Even heat distribution for perfect dumplings. → See on Amazon
- Whisk — Ensures smooth, lump-free dumpling batter. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine peas, chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add milk and stir until smooth.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the simmering peas. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Step 4: Carefully flip the dumplings and cook for another 5-10 minutes until fluffy and cooked through.
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't lift the lid while the dumplings are cooking. This lets out the steam and can make them tough.
- Pro tip: For extra flavor, cook some crispy bacon and crumble it on top of the peas and dumplings before serving.
- Pro tip: To make this ahead, prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store them in the fridge until ready to cook.
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: Prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Freezing Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Freeze cooked peas and dumplings for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
How to Reheat Without Drying It Out
Oven: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Best substitution: No milk? Use water instead. The dumplings will be slightly denser but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are tough, you likely lifted the lid too soon. Next time, be patient and let them cook undisturbed.
Want to level up this recipe?
Instant Pot — Saves time and energy for busy weeknights. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh or frozen peas
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Thyme
- Bay leaf
Optional Toppings
- Crispy bacon bits
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large pot, combine peas, chicken broth, milk, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Add milk and stir until smooth.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of batter into the simmering peas. Cover and let cook for 10 minutes without lifting the lid.
- Step 4: Carefully flip the dumplings and cook for another 5-10 minutes until fluffy and cooked through.
Notes
- Chef tip: For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
- Best substitution: No milk? Use water instead. The dumplings will be slightly denser but still delicious.
- Make-ahead: Prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to feed a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are tough, you likely lifted the lid too soon. Next time, be patient and let them cook undisturbed.
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 overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Make ahead: Prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 15g
- Fat: 5g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 20mg
- Sat. Fat: 1g
Nutritional values are estimates only. Actual values may vary by brand and portion size.
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner FAQs
Yes, prepare the peas and dumpling batter separately. Store in the fridge until ready to cook.
You likely lifted the lid too soon. Next time, be patient and let them cook undisturbed.
Yes, follow the same steps but cook on high pressure for 5 minutes with a 10-minute natural release.
Try it with my Easy Cucumber Sweet Pepper Salad for a complete meal.
No, this recipe contains flour. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free flour blend.
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!
