Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Homestyle Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe: A Cozy Classic

Southern comfort calls for a classic cornbread dressing that weaves memories of home-cooked meals and cherished traditions.

This beloved southern cornbread dressing recipe captures the essence of southern hospitality with its rich, savory blend of flavors.

Crumbled cornbread mingles with aromatic herbs and tender chicken, creating a side dish that speaks volumes about culinary heritage.

Generations of southern cooks have perfected this recipe, passing down techniques that make each bite a warm embrace.

Sage, thyme, and a touch of celery add depth to this iconic dish that graces holiday tables across the South.

You’ll find this recipe transforms a simple side into a masterpiece of comfort food that connects generations.

Prepare to be transported to a southern kitchen where love is measured in spoonfuls of pure, delicious tradition.

Reasons to Love Southern Cornbread Dressing

  • Savor Authentic Flavors: Dive into a traditional Italian dish that brings the rich, comforting tastes of home-cooked meals right to your kitchen, transporting you to the heart of Italy with every bite.
  • Master Simple Technique: Learn an easy cooking method that transforms basic ingredients into a stunning main course, perfect for cooks of all skill levels who want to impress family and friends.
  • Customize with Ease: Personalize these cabbage rolls by swapping ingredients or adjusting seasonings, making it a versatile recipe that adapts to your taste preferences and dietary needs.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Food: Create a hearty, satisfying meal that brings everyone together around the table, offering a delicious and nutritious option for family dinners or potluck gatherings.

Ingredients Behind Southern Cornbread Dressing

Base Ingredients:
  • Cornbread: A classic Southern foundation that provides a rich, crumbly texture and distinct flavor to the dressing.
  • White Bread or Biscuits: Adds additional texture and helps bind the dressing together.
Aromatics and Seasonings:
  • Onion, Celery: Provide a traditional flavor base with a subtle, savory depth to the dressing.
  • Poultry Seasoning, Sage, Black Pepper, Salt: Create a classic, warm herb profile that enhances the overall taste of the dish.
Moisture and Binding Ingredients:
  • Butter: Adds richness and helps sauté the vegetables while providing a smooth, creamy texture.
  • Chicken Broth: Keeps the dressing moist and infuses additional savory flavor.
  • Eggs: Act as a binding agent to hold the dressing together.
  • Cream of Chicken Soup: Optional ingredient that adds extra moisture and depth to the dressing.

Preparing Southern Cornbread Dressing

Preparing Southern Cornbread Dressing

Step 1: Prepare Crumbly Base

Crumble homemade or store-bought cornbread into a spacious mixing bowl. Add torn white bread or crumbled biscuits to create a delicious bread foundation for the dressing.

Step 2: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

Heat butter in a skillet over medium warmth. Add finely chopped onions and celery, cooking until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance, about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Blend Flavor Enhancers

Combine sautéed vegetables with the bread mixture. Introduce a symphony of seasonings:
  • Poultry seasoning
  • Dried sage
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • Kosher salt

Gently pour in rich chicken broth, whisk eggs, and incorporate cream of chicken soup if desired.

Stir ingredients until perfectly blended – aim for a moist consistency that holds together without becoming soggy. Adjust liquid as needed to achieve ideal texture.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C). Transfer the mixture into a generously buttered 9×13-inch baking dish.

Slide into the oven and bake uncovered, allowing the top to turn a beautiful golden brown and the center to set completely, approximately 35-45 minutes.

Step 5: Serve and Celebrate

Allow the dressing to rest for a brief 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.

Present alongside roasted turkey, succulent ham, or tender chicken for a memorable holiday feast that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Expert Advice for Southern Cornbread Dressing

  • Make cornbread the day before to enhance flavor and texture, allowing bread to slightly dry out for better absorption of seasonings.
  • Control liquid levels carefully – mixture should be damp like a wet sand consistency, not soggy or crumbly dry.
  • Softly cook onions and celery until translucent to release natural sweetness and prevent raw, sharp flavors in the final dish.
  • Use fresh poultry seasoning and sage for robust flavor, adjusting salt and pepper to personal taste preferences.
  • Check dressing midway through cooking, covering with foil if top browns too quickly to ensure even, golden-brown crust without burning.

Flavor Twists for Southern Cornbread Dressing

  • Gluten-Free Cornbread Dressing: Replace regular bread with gluten-free cornbread and use gluten-free breadcrumbs for a celiac-friendly version.
  • Vegetarian Herb Dressing: Swap chicken broth with vegetable broth, add extra herbs like thyme and rosemary, and use vegetable cream soup for a meat-free alternative.
  • Spicy Southwestern Dressing: Incorporate diced green chiles, jalapeños, and replace some herbs with cumin and chili powder for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.
  • Low-Sodium Herb Dressing: Reduce salt, use low-sodium broth, and enhance flavor with fresh herbs like parsley and chives instead of traditional seasoning blends.

Perfect Pairings for Southern Cornbread Dressing

  • Flavor-Boosting Wine Pairing: Select a crisp Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to complement the savory cornbread dressing, cutting through its rich buttery texture while enhancing the herbal sage notes.
  • Protein Partner Perfection: Roast turkey or honey-glazed ham create the ultimate flavor harmony, with the dressing's seasoned profile matching perfectly against the main course's meaty richness.
  • Herbal Sidekick Recommendation: Fresh cranberry sauce adds a bright, tangy counterpoint to the dense, savory dressing, introducing a zesty contrast that awakens the palate and balances the dish's deep comfort food qualities.

Storing Southern Cornbread Dressing Properly

  • Store leftover dressing in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, then place in freezer-safe container. Freezes well for up to 1 month without losing texture or flavor.
  • Place individual portions in microwave-safe dish. Heat at 50% power for 1-2 minutes, stirring midway to ensure even warming. Add splash of chicken broth to prevent dryness.

FAQs

  • What is cornbread dressing?

A traditional Southern side dish made from crumbled cornbread, bread, herbs, and vegetables, baked until golden and crispy on top.

  • Can I make cornbread dressing ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dressing a day before baking and store it covered in the refrigerator until ready to cook.

  • How do I get the right moisture level for my dressing?

Add chicken broth gradually and mix until the mixture is moist but not soggy – it should hold together without being wet or dry.

  • What herbs work best in Southern cornbread dressing?

Poultry seasoning and sage are classic herbs that provide the traditional Southern flavor profile for this dish.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Southern cornbread dressing brings comfort and tradition to holiday tables with its rich, savory blend of crumbled cornbread, herbs, and aromatic vegetables. Hearty and nostalgic, this classic side dish connects generations through its warm, homemade goodness you’ll treasure at every family gathering.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 6 cups cornbread, crumbled
  • 4 cups white bread or biscuits, crumbled
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Vegetables and Aromatics:

  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 ribs celery, finely chopped

Seasonings and Additional Components:

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter
  • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup

Instructions

  1. Prepare homemade cornbread a day in advance or use pre-made version, then meticulously crumble into a spacious mixing vessel. Incorporate additional crumbled white bread or biscuits into the same container.
  2. Heat a skillet over medium temperature, melt butter, and gently sauté diced onions and chopped celery until they become translucent and tender, approximately 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the sautéed aromatic vegetables and melted butter into the cornbread mixture. Sprinkle in poultry seasoning, sage, black pepper, and salt, ensuring even distribution.
  4. Introduce chicken broth, whisked eggs, and cream of chicken soup to the mixture. Blend thoroughly but delicately, maintaining a moist consistency without creating a soggy texture. Adjust liquid content if necessary by incorporating additional broth.
  5. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Generously grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
  6. Carefully spread the prepared dressing mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer.
  7. Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-brown hue and the center sets completely.
  8. Allow the dressing to rest and stabilize for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven.
  9. Serve alongside roasted turkey, succulent ham, or classic roasted chicken for a traditional holiday feast.

Notes

  • Make homemade cornbread for richer flavor and authentic Southern taste. Boxed mixes work in a pinch but lack depth.
  • Use day-old bread for better texture, allowing crumbs to absorb liquids more effectively without becoming soggy.
  • Adjust liquid ratio carefully to prevent dry or overly wet dressing. Start with less broth and add incrementally while mixing.
  • Customize seasoning with fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for personalized flavor profile that enhances traditional recipe.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 270 kcal
  • Sugar: 3 g
  • Sodium: 520 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 33 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 7 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Maya Thompson

Maya Thompson

Culinary Content Creator & Nutrition Enthusiast

Expertise

Healthy single-serving recipes, Meal prepping for individuals, Integrating nutrition into everyday cooking, Vegetarian and plant-based cuisine​

Education

The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College
Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts
Focus: Nutrition, meal planning, and culinary techniques for healthy living.


Maya found her passion in the kitchen by mixing good food with good energy. After earning her culinary degree at The Chef’s Academy at Harrison College, she made it her mission to keep cooking simple, wholesome, and packed with flavor.
At Steelhead Diner, Maya shares easy, healthy recipes built for real life. For Maya, great food seems like a celebration of everyday moments, made better one fresh bite at a time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star