Print

Easy Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Southern Cornbread Dressing - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting, foolproof Southern cornbread dressing with a crispy golden top and soft, custardy center. This recipe uses simple ingredients like cornbread, sage, and broth to create a crowd-pleasing side dish perfect for holidays or weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups cooked cornbread, crumbled into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 cups chicken broth or turkey stock, low-sodium
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cornbread by baking it according to your preferred recipe and letting it cool completely. Crumble it into a large mixing bowl into pieces about the size of a dime.
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onions and celery and cook for 8-10 minutes until translucent and soft. Add the garlic in the last minute of cooking. Transfer this mixture to the bowl with the cornbread.
  3. In a separate large jug or bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, chicken broth, heavy cream, melted butter, sage, thyme, black pepper, and salt until uniform.
  4. Pour the wet mixture over the cornbread and vegetable mixture. Gently fold everything together using a rubber spatula to coat the bread evenly without crushing it. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
  5. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray. Pour the dressing into the dish and spread it out evenly.
  6. Bake for 45 minutes. After 30 minutes, check the top; if it is browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil.
  7. Remove from the oven when the top is golden brown and the center is set. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the dressing to firm up.

Notes

Always let the cornbread cool completely before crumbling to prevent mushiness. Sautéing the onions and celery is essential for flavor depth. Let the dressing rest for 10 minutes after baking to help it set. For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth. For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free cornbread and broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread dressing, southern recipe, thanksgiving side dish, holiday cooking, comfort food, easy dressing, sage dressing

Find it online: https://lirafood.com/easy-southern-cornbread-dressing-recipe-best-sides/