Cornbread Dressing

🥣 Cornbread Dressing Recipe (Traditional Southern Style)

🍽 Serves: 10–12

⏲ Prep Time: 30 minutes | Cook Time: 45–60 minutes

🔹 Ingredients

For the Cornbread (make this a day ahead if possible):

• 1 cup cornmeal

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tbsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• 1 tsp salt

• 1 tbsp sugar (optional)

• 1¼ cups buttermilk

• 2 eggs

• ¼ cup melted butter or vegetable oil

For the Dressing:

• 1 batch of cornbread (crumbled)

• 6 slices of day-old white bread or 4 cups of cubed white bread (can be toasted)

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped

• 3 celery stalks, finely chopped

• 4 tbsp butter

• 2–3 cups chicken or turkey broth (preferably warm)

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1½ tsp rubbed sage (adjust to taste)

• ½ tsp dried thyme

• Salt & black pepper to taste

• Optional: ½ tsp poultry seasoning

• Optional: Cooked giblets or ½ cup cooked crumbled sausage

🧑‍🍳 Instructions

Step 1: Make the Cornbread

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Grease a 9-inch cast iron skillet or baking dish.

2. In a large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together buttermilk, eggs, and melted butter.

4. Combine wet and dry ingredients and stir just until blended.

5. Pour into prepared skillet and bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden brown.

6. Let it cool, then crumble it into large crumbs. Let it dry out overnight if possible.

Step 2: Prepare the Vegetables

1. In a skillet, melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat.

2. Sauté chopped onion and celery for about 8–10 minutes, until soft and translucent.

3. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3: Assemble the Dressing

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine:

   • Crumbled cornbread

   • Cubed/stale white bread

   • Sautéed vegetables

2. Add sage, thyme, salt, pepper, and any optional seasonings.

3. Pour in about 2 cups of warm broth and mix gently — the mixture should be very moist but not soupy.

4. Stir in beaten eggs (make sure the mix isn’t too hot to avoid scrambling them).

5. Add more broth if needed to get a soft, spoonable consistency.

Step 4: Bake the Dressing

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Grease a large baking dish (9×13 inch works well).

3. Pour in the dressing and spread it evenly. Dot the top with extra butter if desired.

4. Bake uncovered for 45–60 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.

5. If you like a crispy top, broil for the last 3–5 minutes.

✅ Tips & Variations

• Make-Ahead: Assemble a day before, refrigerate, then bake before serving.

• Broth Options: Turkey broth (especially from the neck/giblets) adds rich flavor.

• Protein Add-ins: Add sautéed sausage, shredded chicken, or chopped giblets for a heartier version.

• Texture: For looser dressing, add more broth. For firmer, use less.

• Gluten-Free: Use all cornbread and ensure it’s made with GF cornmeal and flour.

Would you like a version of this with sweet cornbread, vegetarian, or spicy (Cajun) variations?