Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. After making this many times, I’ve discovered the trick to perfectly creamy peas and fluffy dumplings every time. The golden dumplings floating in the rich, savory pea mixture will make your kitchen cozy and inviting. If you love recipes like this, you’ll also enjoy Easy Spicy Honey Soy Sauce and Easy Maple Dijon Pork Tenderloin.
Why This Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner Is Pure Comfort
- Better than takeout flavor at home
- Comforting, creamy peas and fluffy dumplings
- Easy, one-pot dinner recipe
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 cans (15 oz each) peas, drained
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
- Optional: Fresh parsley, chopped
📝 Ingredient Notes
- Canned peas: You can also use frozen peas, just adjust cooking time.
🛒 Tools & Equipment I Recommend
- Stainless Steel Saucepan — Even heat distribution for perfectly creamy peas. → See on Amazon
- Mixing Bowls Set — Perfect for measuring and mixing ingredients. → See on Amazon
How to Make Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine drained peas, 1 cup water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and stir until just combined.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling pea mixture. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Uncover and let dumplings cook for another 5 minutes, until they're golden and the peas are creamy.
- Step 5: Stir in butter and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Cook's Tips for Perfect Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
- Common mistake and fix: Don't overmix the dumpling dough. It should be lumpy. Overmixing makes them tough.
- Tip: For a heartier meal, add cooked bacon or ham to the peas before simmering.
- Tip: To make this recipe gluten-free, substitute the flour with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
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 dumpling dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
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 15-20 minutes. Microwave: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
Recipe Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker pea mixture, mash some of the peas before simmering.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the peas with corn or mixed vegetables.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the peas and dumplings ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are tough, you've overmixed the dough. Next time, mix it less.
Want to level up this recipe?
Cast Iron Skillet — Perfect for cooking dumplings to a golden crisp. → Check price on Amazon
Easy Southern Peas and Dumplings Recipe for Dinner
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cans (15 oz each) peas, drained
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 tbsp butter
Seasonings
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
Optional Toppings
- Fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Step 1: In a large saucepan, combine drained peas, 1 cup water, salt, pepper, and garlic powder (if using). Bring to a boil.
- Step 2: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk and stir until just combined.
- Step 3: Drop spoonfuls of dough into the boiling pea mixture. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and let simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 4: Uncover and let dumplings cook for another 5 minutes, until they're golden and the peas are creamy.
- Step 5: Stir in butter and garnish with fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
- Chef tip: For a thicker pea mixture, mash some of the peas before simmering.
- Best substitution: You can substitute the peas with corn or mixed vegetables.
- Make-ahead: You can cook the peas and dumplings ahead of time and reheat before serving.
- Scaling: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled to serve a crowd.
- Troubleshooting: If your dumplings are tough, you've overmixed the dough. Next time, mix it less.
Storage
- Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezer: Freeze individual portions for up to 2 months.
- Oven reheat: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Microwave reheat: Reheat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
- Make ahead: You can make the dumpling dough ahead of time and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Nutrition Per Serving
- Calories: 350
- Protein: 12g
- Fat: 8g
- Carbs: 55g
- Fiber: 8g
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Cholesterol: 25mg
- Sat. Fat: 5g
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 and dumplings ahead of time and reheat before serving. However, the dumplings may lose some of their texture upon reheating.
You've likely overmixed the dough. Next time, mix it less. The dough should be lumpy.
Yes, combine all ingredients except dumplings in the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. Drop dumplings into the mixture during the last 15 minutes of cooking.
This recipe pairs well with a side of crusty bread or a simple green salad.
Yes, you can use fresh peas. You'll need about 2 cups of shelled peas. Cook them in the saucepan for a few minutes before adding the dumplings.
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!
