Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Introduction

Cornbread dressing is a classic Southern side dish that brings comforting flavors to any holiday table. Crispy on top and tender inside, this savory dish combines celery, onions, and herbs for a perfect balance of taste and texture.

Two clear glass square baking dishes sit on a stove with a white marbled surface. Each dish contains a baked casserole with one visible layer, showing a golden brown, crispy topping that has small pieces of green and orange mixed in, likely vegetables. The texture of the topping looks crumbly and crunchy, covering the entire surface evenly, and both casseroles fill the dishes almost to the top. The photo is taken from a slightly higher angle, focusing on the front dish with the back one slightly blurred. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 2 large onions, chopped
  • 1 stick margarine
  • 5 cups crumbled buttermilk cornbread (dry)
  • 5 cups dry bread crumbs
  • 3 cups turkey or chicken broth
  • 1 stick butter
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 3 teaspoons sage, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Step 2: In a large baking pan sprayed with cooking spray, combine the chopped celery and onions with the melted butter, beaten eggs, crumbled cornbread, bread crumbs, turkey or chicken broth, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix well. The mixture should be quite soupy at this stage to prevent dryness during baking. Add more broth if needed.
  3. Step 3: Cover the pan and bake for 35 minutes. Then uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is browned and the dressing is cooked through.

Tips & Variations

  • For added richness, substitute margarine with all butter or use a mix of both.
  • Add cooked sausage or diced cooked turkey for a heartier dish.
  • Adjust herbs like sage and poultry seasoning to suit your taste preferences.
  • Make sure the cornbread is dry and crumbled to avoid soggy dressing.

Storage

Store leftover cornbread dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it gently in the oven at 325 degrees Fahrenheit until heated through, adding a splash of broth if it seems dry.

How to Serve

Two square glass baking dishes filled with a golden brown baked dish that appears to be a crumbly casserole or stuffing. The surface has a rough texture with visible bits of green and orange, likely from celery and carrots, mixed evenly throughout the top layer. The crust looks crispy and slightly uneven with a toasted color, covering the entire top. Both dishes sit on a metallic oven rack inside an oven. The background is a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make cornbread dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dressing mixture a day ahead and refrigerate it covered. Bake it fresh on the day you plan to serve for best results.

What if I don’t have poultry seasoning?

You can substitute with a mix of sage, thyme, and marjoram to replicate the flavor of poultry seasoning.

Print

Cornbread Dressing Recipe

A classic Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe that combines savory herbs, tender vegetables, and moist cornbread to create a comforting side dish perfect for holiday meals or family dinners.

  • Author: Maya
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Side Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables

  • 2 cups chopped celery
  • 2 large onions, chopped

Dressing Base

  • 5 cups crumbled buttermilk cornbread (dry)
  • 5 cups dry bread crumbs
  • 3 cups turkey or chicken broth

Seasonings & Others

  • 1 stick margarine
  • 1 stick butter
  • 4 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 ½ teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 3 teaspoons sage (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C) to prepare for baking the dressing.
  2. Mix Ingredients: In a large baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray (such as Pam), combine the chopped celery and onions with melted butter. Add the beaten eggs, crumbled dry buttermilk cornbread, dry bread crumbs, and turkey or chicken broth. Stir in poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper. The mixture should be fairly soupy to ensure the dressing stays moist during baking; add extra broth if needed.
  3. Bake Covered: Cover the baking pan with foil and bake the dressing for 35 minutes. This allows the mixture to cook through without drying out.
  4. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes to brown the top and set the dressing firmly.

Notes

  • Use dry cornbread and bread crumbs for the best texture; fresh or moist bread can make the dressing too soggy.
  • Adjust the amount of broth depending on desired moistness—dressing should be moist but not soupy before baking.
  • For a stronger herb flavor, add a little extra sage or poultry seasoning.
  • To enhance the richness, you can substitute all margarine or butter with all butter if preferred.
  • This dressing pairs perfectly with roasted turkey or chicken for a traditional holiday meal.

Keywords: Cornbread Dressing, Southern Side Dish, Holiday Stuffing, Thanksgiving Dressing, Savory Dressing

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