Description
This Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing is a classic comfort food featuring a flavorful blend of homemade cornbread, sautéed onions and celery, poultry seasoning, and a moist texture baked to golden perfection. It’s the perfect side dish for holiday meals or any time you crave traditional Southern flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Cornbread
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil or melted butter
Dressing
- 6 cups crumbled cornbread (from above recipe or store-bought)
- 4 slices white bread, torn into small pieces
- 1 cup chicken or turkey broth, plus more as needed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
- 2 tsp poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp dried sage (optional)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Make the Cornbread: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9-inch skillet or baking dish. In a bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, all-purpose flour, sugar (if using), baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk, egg, and vegetable oil or melted butter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined.
- Bake the Cornbread: Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool before crumbling into pieces.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. In a skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Mix the Dressing Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, torn white bread pieces, sautéed onion and celery, poultry seasoning, dried sage (if using), and black pepper. Stir to mix evenly.
- Add Eggs and Broth: Pour the beaten eggs and one cup of chicken or turkey broth into the bread mixture. Stir gently to moisten all ingredients without making the mixture soggy. Add additional broth if necessary to achieve the right consistency.
- Assemble and Bake the Dressing: Spread the prepared mixture evenly in the greased baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes until the dressing is set and the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
Notes
- You can prepare the cornbread a day ahead to save time on the day of baking the dressing.
- Adjust the amount of broth to get the desired moisture level; the mixture should be moist but not watery.
- For a richer flavor, use melted butter instead of vegetable oil in the cornbread.
- Add cooked sausage or giblets to the dressing mixture for a meatier version.
- If you prefer gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend for the cornbread and ensure the white bread is gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
