If you’re craving a dish that wraps you in cozy, nostalgic flavors of home, you absolutely must try this Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe. It’s a time-honored classic, bursting with the perfect balance of savory herbs, tender vegetables, and crumbly cornbread that soaks up rich, buttery broth beautifully. Whether it’s for a holiday feast or a comforting family dinner, this dressing brings a little Southern charm right to your table, leaving everyone reaching for seconds and asking for your secret.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create a rich and flavorful dressing. Each one plays a vital role — from the crumbly texture of the cornbread to the aromatic touch of poultry seasoning — making sure every bite sings with authenticity and warmth.
- Cornmeal: The foundation of our homemade cornbread, providing that classic grainy texture and golden color.
- All-purpose flour: Adds structure and a little softness to the cornbread batter.
- Sugar (optional): Just a touch to balance the savory elements if you prefer a slightly sweet cornbread base.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents help your cornbread rise light and fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances all the flavors and ties everything together.
- Buttermilk: Provides tanginess and moisture for soft, tender cornbread.
- Egg: For binding and richness in the cornbread batter.
- Vegetable oil or melted butter: Adds fat for a tender crumb and keeps the cornbread moist.
- Cornbread crumbs: The star ingredient of the dressing that brings body and texture.
- White bread: Adds additional structure and softness, helping the dressing hold together.
- Chicken or turkey broth: The liquid that soaks into the bread crumbs, infusing them with savory flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Used for sautéing vegetables, adding rich flavor and moisture.
- Onion and celery: Aromatics that bring classic savory depth and slight crunch.
- Poultry seasoning: The quintessential herb blend for poultry dishes that gives the dressing its traditional Southern taste.
- Dried sage (optional): Adds an earthy warmth and complex herbaceous note.
- Black pepper: For gentle heat and flavor layering.
- Eggs: Beat into the dressing mix to bind everything firmly before baking.
How to Make Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Step 1: Make the Cornbread
Start by preparing a golden, tender cornbread, which is the heart of this dressing. Whisk together your dry ingredients—cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—in one bowl. In another, combine buttermilk, egg, and your choice of oil or melted butter. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until just combined, then pour the batter into a greased skillet or baking dish. Bake it at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes until it’s beautifully golden and fragrant. Let it cool before crumbling up for the dressing base.
Step 2: Prepare the Aromatics
While your cornbread cools, melt unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat and gently sauté your finely chopped onion and celery. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the vegetables soften and become translucent; this step develops the deep, savory foundation of flavor that the dressing depends on. Don’t rush it—getting these aromatics just right is key.
Step 3: Combine the Dressing Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, toss together the crumbled cornbread, torn white bread pieces, sautéed onion and celery, poultry seasoning, sage if using, and pepper. The mix of cornbread and white bread gives you the perfect balance of crumbly texture with tender softness. Then, beat in the eggs and gradually stir in the chicken or turkey broth, adding just enough so the mixture is moist but not soggy—a slight pliability is what sets a great dressing apart from dry stuffing.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Transfer the dressing mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Bake at 375°F for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center feels set but still moist. This bake time marries all the wonderful ingredients together while creating a crust that adds a satisfying bite. Once out of the oven, give it a few minutes to cool before serving so the flavors get a moment to settle and deepen.
How to Serve Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Garnishes
This Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe shines best when topped with a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or a handful of toasted pecans for a little extra crunch. A drizzle of warm turkey gravy elevates it even further, adding silkiness and rich flavor that guests will love.
Side Dishes
This dish pairs beautifully with classic Southern staples like roast turkey or baked ham. Fresh green beans, collard greens, or cranberry sauce complement the rich, savory flavors of the dressing and provide a bright, fresh contrast on your plate. A crisp salad or roasted Brussels sprouts also work well to round out the meal.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this dressing in individual ramekins for an elegant touch at dinner parties. You could also stuff it inside a whole roasted turkey for a true holiday showstopper or use it as a savory filling for poultry breasts rolled and baked for a stunning presentation. The possibilities are endless because this recipe is so versatile and comforting.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, transfer any leftover dressing into an airtight container and keep it refrigerated. It will stay fresh for up to 3-4 days without losing its delicious texture or flavor, making for easy weekday dinners or next-day nibbling.
Freezing
If you want to freeze for longer storage, portion the dressing into freezer-safe containers or tightly wrapped foil pans. It freezes beautifully for up to 3 months. Just be sure to cool it completely before wrapping to avoid ice crystals and sogginess.
Reheating
Reheat your leftover Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe in a 350°F oven covered with foil to keep it moist. It usually takes about 20-25 minutes to warm through. For extra crispy edges, uncover it for the last 5-10 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions if short on time, but the oven method preserves the best texture.
FAQs
Can I use store-bought cornbread for this recipe?
Absolutely! While homemade cornbread gives you the freshest flavor, store-bought cornbread works just fine as long as it’s on the drier side and crumbled properly. Avoid super moist cornbreads to keep the right dressing consistency.
What can I substitute for buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, you can make an easy substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using. This adds the tanginess needed to tenderize the cornbread crumb.
Is this dressing gluten-free?
The traditional recipe uses all-purpose flour and white bread, which contain gluten. To make a gluten-free version, try substituting a gluten-free flour blend for the flour and using gluten-free bread. Keep in mind texture and moisture adjustments may be needed.
Can I prepare this dressing ahead of time and bake later?
Yes! You can assemble the dressing, cover it tightly, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just make sure to add any additional broth if the mixture looks dry before baking. It’s a perfect make-ahead holiday helper.
What is the difference between cornbread dressing and stuffing?
Great question! Traditionally, “dressing” is cooked outside of the bird in a casserole dish, while “stuffing” is cooked inside the bird’s cavity. The flavors and ingredients often overlap, but dressing tends to have a slightly drier texture and a more browned top from baking separately.
Final Thoughts
I hope you’re feeling inspired to try this Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe the next time you want to bring that warm, soulful taste of the South to your table. It’s the kind of dish that comforts like a hug, connects generations, and makes every meal feel like a celebration. Once you make it, I guarantee it will become a cherished part of your recipe collection—and your family’s favorite too.
Print
Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing is a comforting holiday classic featuring a homemade cornbread base combined with sautéed onions, celery, and traditional poultry seasonings. Baked to golden perfection, this dish offers a moist, flavorful stuffing that complements any roasted poultry or holiday meal.
Ingredients
Cornbread Ingredients
- 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 Ingredients
- 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, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In another bowl, mix the buttermilk, egg, and vegetable oil or melted butter until combined. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir to combine. Pour the batter into the prepared skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool, then crumble the cornbread into pieces.
- Prepare the Dressing Base: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Melt the unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent.
- Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the crumbled cornbread, torn white bread pieces, sautéed onions and celery, poultry seasoning, dried sage (if using), and black pepper. Stir to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Add Eggs and Broth: Pour the beaten eggs and one cup of chicken or turkey broth into the bread mixture. Gently stir until the mixture is moist but not soggy. Add more broth if necessary to reach the desired consistency.
- Bake the Dressing: Spread the dressing mixture evenly into the prepared 9×13-inch baking dish. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and the dressing is set. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can prepare the cornbread a day ahead and crumble it when ready to make the dressing.
- For extra flavor, consider adding cooked and crumbled sausage or chopped cooked turkey to the mixture.
- Adjust the broth quantity based on your preferred moisture level; the dressing should be moist but not wet.
- Feel free to omit the sugar in the cornbread batter for a less sweet taste.
- Dried sage is optional but adds a traditional southern flavor; fresh sage can be used as a substitute at half the quantity.
