Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (2024)

By: Author Julia Jordan

Posted on - Last updated:

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In this post I’ll be sharing a tried and true Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe.

Southern Cornbread Dressing is a comforting, classic dish for holidays or that special family dinner anytime of the year. This is the favorite dish for some of my family members during the holidays and a must have!

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (1)

Awesome Cornbread Dressing Recipe

I begin by preparing my cornbread the day before and storing until ready to use.

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (2)

It is a great time saver on the day of to make up the dressing recipe the day before needed and store in the refrigerator. The day of I take it out give it a stir and pour into a baking dish to bake. It is a real time saver and will be much appreciated after you’ve been cooking for days..

Let’s make the Southern Cornbread Dressing!

Start by cubing and toasting 8 slices of white bread. Next, add to a large mixing bowl and crumble in 1 sleeve of butter crackers (optional).

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (3)

Cube up the cooked cornbread you’ve made previously and add it to the bowl.

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (4)

Dice celery and onion and add to a skillet with 1 stick of butter and cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (5)

Soul Food Holiday Dressing

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (6)

for the next step, add the celery and onion and all that melted butter over the bread mixture in the bowl

Next, add half of the chicken stock and stir to combine. This will begin to break down the bread cubes.

Add the diced boiled eggs, and the beaten eggs. Stir to combine well adding the remaining chicken broth.

Then, add the seasonings and continue to stir until everything is combined.

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (7)

This is what the batter will look like, very moist and it already smells so good.

When ready to bake pour the batter into a baking dish sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and bake. This is how the dressing will look when it is done.

Ingredients:

  • 8 Slices White Bread – Cubed and Toasted lightly
  • A Sleeve of Butter Crackers – crumbled (optional)
  • Cake of Cooked Southern Cornbread (recipe follows)
  • Chopped Celery
  • Large Onion – Chopped
  • 2 Boiled Eggs – Diced
  • 1 Stick of Butter
  • 7-8 Cups of Chicken Stock (NOT Broth)
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Sage
  • poultry seasoning
  • 6 Eggs Beaten Lightly

Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on desired firmness. Some people like a moist loose dressing and others prefer it baked a bit firmer.

Cornbread Recipe:

  • 2 Cups of Self-Rising Cornmeal (I prefer stone ground, white cornmeal)
  • 1 Cup of Plain Flour
  • 2 Eggs Beaten Lightly
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk

Combine all ingredients well, pour batter into an oven heated cast iron skillet or baking pan and Bake cornbread at 400 degrees until browned ~ 20-25 minutes

Printable Recipe Card at the bottom of this post

Make ahead tips:
~ Make cornbread for your dressing the day before, wrap until ready to use
~ Make the dressing recipe the day before and store in the refrigerator until ready to bake

Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (9)

Gobble till you wobble Y’all! Happy Holidays!

Shortcut Version

• 1 Cake of Cornbread

• A package of Savory Herb Stove Top Stuffing

• 2 Cups of Chopped Celery

• A Large Onion – Chopped

• 1 Stick of Butter

• 4 Cups of Turkey or Chicken Stock (NOT Broth)

•A can of Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup

• 1 tsp Salt

• 1/2 tsp Pepper

• A teaspoon of Sage

• 1 tbsp. Poultry Seasoning

• 5 Eggs Beaten Lightly

Dice the celery and onion and add to a skillet with 1 stick of butter and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

Add to a mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well to combine. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour until desired firmness.

Smoked Oyster Seafood Dressing Recipe

Yield: 1 Dressing Side Dish

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (10)

Southern homemade cornbread dressing, the official side dish of the holiday table

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time1 hour

Total Time1 hour 20 minutes

Ingredients

  • 8 Slices White Bread - Cubed and Toasted lightly
  • 1 Sleeve Butter Crackers - crumbled (optional)
  • 1 Cake of Cornbread (recipe follows)
  • 2 Cups of Chopped Celery
  • 1 Large Onion - Chopped
  • 2 Boiled Eggs - Diced
  • 1 Stick of Butter
  • 7-8 Cups of Chicken Stock (NOT Broth)
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Pepper
  • 1 tsp Sage
  • 1 tbs poultry seasoning
  • 6 Eggs Beaten Lightly

Cornbread Recipe

  • 2 Cups of Self-Rising Cornmeal (I prefer stone ground, white cornmeal)
  • 1 Cup of All Purpose Flour
  • 2 Eggs Beaten Lightly
  • Salt and Pepper to taste
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cornbread Recipe
  2. Combine all ingredients well, pour batter into an oven heated cast iron skillet or baking pan and Bake cornbread at 400 degrees until browned ~ 20-25 minutes
  3. Dressing Recipe
  4. Start by cubing and toasting 8 slices of white bread. Add to a large mixing bowl and crumble in 1 sleeve of butter crackers. Next cube up the cornbread you've made previously and add to the bowl.
  5. Dice celery and onion and add to a skillet with 1 stick of butter and cook until the vegetables are soft and translucent.
  6. Add the celery and onion and all that melted butter over the bread mixture in the mixing bowl.
  7. Add half of the chicken stock and stir to combine. This will begin to break down the bread cubes.
  8. Add the cubed boiled eggs, and the beaten eggs. Stir to combine well and adding the remaining chicken broth.
  9. Add seasonings and continue to stir until everything is combined.
  10. Spray a casserole dish and add the dressing mixture. Bake 350 degrees 45 minutes to 1 hour depending on desired firmness. Some people like a moist loose dressing and others prefer it baked a bit firmer.

Notes

(Alternate) Shortcut Version

• 1 Cake of Cornbread

• 1 pkg Savory Herb Stove Top Stuffing

• 2 Cups of Chopped Celery

• 1 Large Onion - Chopped

• 1 Stick of Butter

• 4 Cups of Turkey or Chicken Stock (NOT Broth)

• 1 can Cream of Chicken Soup

• 1 tsp Salt

• 1/2 tsp Pepper

• 1 tsp Sage

• 1 tbs Poultry Seasoning

• 5 Eggs Beaten Lightly

Dice celery and onion and add to a skillet with 1 stick of butter and cook over medium heat until the vegetables are soft and translucent.

Add to a mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients. Mix well to combine. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes to 1 hour until desired firmness.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

16
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 562Total Fat: 21gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 162mgSodium: 506mgCarbohydrates: 61gFiber: 2gSugar: 18gProtein: 30g

See it at:
Weekend Potluck
Meal Plan Monday
Full Plate Thursday

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Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (11)

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Author of Julia's Simply Southern

Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (18)

About Julia

Hey Y'all! I'm Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia's Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

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Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to keep cornbread dressing from being gummy? ›

Stir occasionally to ensure even drying. And if your dressing is still too mushy after baking, you can add more crumbled cornbread, dry bread, or even dry breadcrumbs or croutons to absorb excess moisture. Mix it in gently, so you don't compress the dressing too much.

Why is my cornbread dressing bland? ›

Avoid bland dressing by making sure to include plenty of onions, celery, and herbs in your recipe. Now is not the time to go easy with the sage, thyme, and pepper. The dressing should taste different from your cornbread.

How moist should dressing be before baking? ›

The stuffing should be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom of the bowl, you've added too much.

How to know if dressing is done? ›

Pour dressing into two 9×13 baking dishes and bake until lightly browned, about 30 – 45 minutes. To test doneness, shake casserole dish lightly. If the center of the dressing moves, then the dressing is not cooked through in the center.

Why does my dressing taste gummy? ›

If your dressing doesn't turn out right, don't fret. You can usually fix it. If you find your stuffing is too dry, add additional warmed broth to it, stir well, and return to the oven, checking periodically. If the stuffing is overly wet and too gummy, cook it uncovered for a bit longer, checking periodically.

Is stuffing better with or without eggs? ›

It's all about personal preference. If you want a sturdier dressing, eggs can help do that. I don't use eggs in this recipe, though, because I like a lighter, more crumbly texture in my dressing.

Is it better to use broth or stock for dressing? ›

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

Why is my cornbread dressing mushy in the oven? ›

If your cornbread dressing is mushy, be sure you baked it in a wide enough pan. Plenty of surface area will help the top crisp and the bottom bake completely. Also, be sure you measured your ingredients properly and didn't add too much liquid.

What temperature should dressing be cooked at? ›

Cook until the center of the dressing reaches 165 degrees. When checked with a food thermometer. Never place frozen dressing or other frozen food in a slow cooker, it will not reach proper safe temperature fast enough.

What kind of bread is best for dressing? ›

Breads such as sour dough, French bread or Italian loaves are for the best bread for stuffing. Their soft-but-sturdy interiors are the perfect texture for stuffing. The pieces retain their shape without crumbling.

How do I know if my stuffing has enough liquid? ›

We recommend adding stock a little at a time--1/2 cup to 1 cup, depending on how much stuffing you're making--and waiting for the bread to absorb the liquid before adding more. Once the bread is moist but not sitting in a pool of stock, it's ready.

Is it okay to make cornbread dressing ahead of time? ›

You can refrigerate the cornbread dressing in an airtight container if you want to use it within the next three to four days. Before refrigerating, make sure to let it cool to room temperature.

How long can cornbread dressing stay in the fridge before cooking? ›

Transfer the cornbread dressing to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for three to four days.

How to do dressing step by step? ›

Changing Your Dressing
  1. Put on a new pair of non-sterile gloves.
  2. Pour saline into a clean bowl. ...
  3. Squeeze the saline from the gauze pads or packing tape until it is no longer dripping.
  4. Place the gauze pads or packing tape in your wound. ...
  5. Cover the wet gauze or packing tape with a large dry dressing pad.
Mar 11, 2023

Why is my cornbread dressing mushy? ›

Why is my cornbread dressing mushy? If your cornbread dressing is mushy, be sure you baked it in a wide enough pan.

What makes cornbread gummy? ›

Flour is sometimes added to round out the batter, but always in smaller amounts than cornmeal itself. Flip the ratio, using more flour than cornmeal, and you'll end up with corn-flavored cakey stuff (such as those gummy “Yankee-style” muffins of my youth).

How do you keep stuffing Fluffy? ›

Use enough liquid: The key to keeping stuffing moist is to use enough liquid. You can use chicken or vegetable broth, melted butter, or a combination of both. The amount of liquid you need will depend on the recipe, but a good rule of thumb is to use about 1/2 to 1 cup of liquid for every 4 cups of bread cubes.

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