HOW TO MAKE DUMPLINGS
There are lots of recipes for dumplings. You can try the flat or drop method but they all taste pretty much alike. It is really just a matter of preference. True Southern dumplings are flat but many people in the South will argue this point and like the drop ones better. I say just do your thing. I make them both ways depending on how I want my recipe to look. The recipe below can be used either way. You might also like our recipe for cream cheese ranch chicken.
This is a basic recipe and works for me every time. You can use milk instead of water and some people even sweeten with a little sugar if adding dumplings to fruit. I always use this recipe for my family. This makes around 35 dumplings depending on size you make yours.
Many people will comment they use canned biscuits or tortillas. I am sure that works too, but we believe homemade dumplings are always better!
Tips for How to Make Dumplings:
- Do not over work your dough. This will lead to tough dumplings.
- Do not over cook your dumplings, they cook quickly and if you over cook them they will be hard.
- Stirring the dumplings can make them break apart, its best to use a wooden spoon to push them under the liquid.
Here is our recipe for Homemade Chicken and Dumplings!
How to make dumplings
Video
Ingredients
- 2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/4 cup shortening or lard
- 3/4 cup boiling water
Instructions
- Put self-rising flour in a bowl, cut in shortening with a pastry blender or fork until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Add the boiling water a little at a time until you can shape the mixture into a ball. Roll out to about 1/8 inch thickness on a floured board.
- For flat dumplings cut into strips, then squares. I use a pizza cutter to do this as it is much quicker.
- If you want drop dumplings do not roll out. Just pinch off pieces of the dough the size you want.
- Drop either kind of dumplings, a few at a time, into boiling soup, fruit or broth, cover with top on pot, let cook for a few minutes and add more dumplings.
- Once all the dumplings are added lower heat to simmer for about 20 minutes.
Notes
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Mr granny talk me to make dumplings using only self rising flour and ice water. I’ve done this for 40+ years and people are shocked they taste so great. Can roll them out or just drop them
Yes.. there are many different ways to make dumplings. ❤️
Dough was too moist and could not cut them. I followed the directions and measurements but had to put the dough back in the bowl and used the pinched method.
If it was too moist, you should have added a little more flour so you could work with it. All dough is going to vary with moisture depending on the flour you use.
Hi! I am making ham pot pie and I came across your recipe and I am trying to recreate my 91year old Grandma’s dumplings but she doesn’t measure anything! But she does use flour, water, and lard in hers and they are amazing every time! So I think your recipe might work! My question is can I use the butter flavored lard to make the dumplings? I’m going to make drop dumplings and flat dumplings but when I make the flat ones I may add some chicken stock to those like others have suggested. I will have to let you know how it all turns out! Thank you:)
Hello Rebecca, I think you could definitely use the butter flavored lard. Hope they are a hit!
These were delicious! I had some broth in the fridge from making chicken thighs in the instant pot the day before, so I followed some of the suggestions in the comments and used the fat that had separated from the broth instead of shortening, and some of the broth instead of water. Cooked them in the rest of the broth the leftover chicken and some vegetables, with a little milk and flour to thicken the broth. Perfect chicken and dumplings!
YAY!!! So glad it was a hit!
This is the way I was taught to make dumplings six decades ago. The exception is that my Mother used equal amounts of water & shortening & then added the flour, salt, & black pepper. I now use chicken broth instead of water. Yummy! All these other ‘fancy’ recipes can’t come close to these. I also make what people are now calling chicken & dumpling soup by adding onions, celery, & carrots…all chopped small.
My Grandmother always made the flat dumplings and I was never able to duplicate them until now! So glad I found your website, took me right back to her kitchen!
I’ve always been fond of eating chicken and dumplin’s but I’ve never been one to cook them lol. I tried the drop recipe, and I was so surprised how they turned out. Soft-gooey outside and a nice savory-bready inside. Going to make again! (Hopefully get to try with blackberries next time… with a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.)
YAY! SO glad it worked out! We love our blackberries and dumplings. Such a wonderful dish!
Hi what is the recipe for sauce these are in in the picture? It looks soooo good!
There is no tomato sauce in this recipe but you may be thinking about Tomato and Dumplings. https://thesouthernladycooks.com/tomatoes-and-dumplings/
I always make chicken and dumplings the way I was taught by my mama. Drop dumplings was the only way I was even aware of. I came looking for a recipe to refresh my memory and you def had some good tips that I’ll be trying today. Now if I can just keep my Chef husband from lifting the lid and collapsing them…
* Helpful tips:
Don’t overwork the dough
Turn liquid down to a simmer
Where is the recipe?
It is on the post you are commenting on.
Mine came out great! I’ve always struggled with dumplings but your technique worked perfectly. My family thanks you! I made the flat dumplings because that’s what I grew up with.
I use the broth I cook the chicken in instead of plain water. I always prefer homemade too!
I am 76, lived in South Carolina all my life and I still can’t make dumplings for chicken and dumplings like my grandmother did. Mine always turn out doughy no matter what recipe I try they are still doughy and hers were light and rolled and almost like a biscuit when you ate them never were doughy. I love your recipes they are like what I have grown up on and still eat but those dumplings are something I have been trying to duplicate all my life and still can’t.Thank You for great recipes and memories
You’re very welcome!
Hello was looking for a good flat Dumpling recipe. I was wondering could butter be substituted instead of shortening? My husband is from Louisiana and the one and only time I made them they looked ok but they were to tough like really tough. That was 20 yrs ago and we’ve been married 32 yrs next month. So for our Anniversary I’d like to surprise him with wonderful Southern Dumplings. Lol and I love the Simplicity of your recipe. Thank you for sharing
I have never substituted butter for shortening in my dumplings so I cannot advise you, Betty. I don’t think you will find these dumplings to be tough. I have never had anyone say that about the recipe. Happy holidays to you and hope you have a great anniversary.
My mother-in-law made the best dumplings and she used the chicken broth for the liquid for the dumplings.
I do too. If I have time I boil the chicken the day before and put broth in frig. I use the chicken fat from top of cold broth to put in my dumplings and use the broth as well.
I’m from tenn and that was Sunday meal when the preacher came home with us from church, we had the flat one made with real l lard. My mother could make good dumpling. l just made this recipe today very good,
Thank you for sharing!
Eager to try this simple recipe!
I grew up Chicken and Dumplings. My Mother also made these flat dumplings and used it for berry cobblers. I live in the Midwest and no one around here makes flat dumplings. Thanks.
You can also use flour tortillas cut into strips. But homemade is better.
this is the first time i’ve seen a recipe on how to make home made dumplings. i usually use canned biscuits but always wanted the home made ones. something i should have learned from my mother ! thank you !
My mother always let hers dry out a bit before cooking them.
I have always made the puffy soft dumplings. I will try this one day.
Roberta how do you make the puffy soft ones? I would like to they them. Thanks.
I was raised on puffy soft dumplings
I have tried for so many years to learn how to make them
Please help!!!!! Need recipe on puffy soft dumplings
Thanks Amber
Hi Amber, if you read the recipe it tells you how to make drop dumplings. This “how to” is for flat AND drop dumplings. Thanks!