This homemade Southern style Cornbread dressing recipe gets its rich flavor from a combination of butter, sage, onion, celery, and from-scratch savory cornbread. It's the perfect side dish for poultry, and a must-have for every Thanksgiving dinner.
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Family Recipe For Southern Style Cornbread Dressing
My husband's southern grandmother grew up in the hills of Appalachian Kentucky. In the South, a seasoned cornbread stuffing is a long-held traditional holiday side dish. This moist dressing took center stage on every Thanksgiving menu, as well as at many Sunday suppers.
It was always a challenge learning to cook from my husband's Southern family. They didn't own cookbooks. They never used recipes. Cooking was a tradition passed down from generation to generation simply by working together in the kitchen. As charming as that was, it was awfully frustrating for me when I wanted to recreate a dish. I ended up spending years learning some of their recipes through repeat visits, cooking with family members who thought I was much too worried about measuring and timing things. After years of practice, I was able to break down this homemade southern cornbread dressing into a step-by-step recipe.
Alternatives to Stuffing the Turkey
In mid century, the cavity of the turkey was stuffed, infusing the flavors and juices of the bird into the breading mixture. While some people still stuff the turkey, concerns over contracting salmonella have turned many away from this tradition. Turkey needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to be safe; that means the stuffing does, too. In order for the stuffing to reach 165 degrees, the external temperature of the turkey has to reach about 180 degrees, which results in dry turkey.
I have had salmonella poisoning and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. Therefore, I am ultra cautious and I opt for not stuffing the turkey. Instead, I bake the dressing in a greased casserole dish, then pour over a few tablespoons of drippings that have run off the turkey after it has cooked. These are the same drippings I use to make turkey gravy.
Another option is to make patties from the dressing. I usually make a tray of these in addition to a casserole dish of stuffing. Simply take the stuffing when it's ready to be cooked, form them into small patties and place them on a greased 9 x 13 baking sheet. Bake them at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until their color turns golden brown.
Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Ingredients
To make cornbread stuffing, you'll just need some simple ingredients:
- cornbread prepared without sugar - the sturdy, savory base of the dressing
- butter - tenderizes the vegetables, adds richness to the flavor and moisture to the texture
- yellow onions - add a strong flavor
- celery - adds a classic, savory flavor
- seasoned stuffing cubes - aromatic seasoned bread cubes that add flavor and softness to the dressing
- rubbed sage - an herb that compliments the flavor of the poultry
- black pepper - adds a bit of spice
- chicken broth (or turkey broth) - adds moisture and poultry flavor
Steps For Making Traditional Cornbread Dressing
Make the cornbread
To make homemade Southern cornbread dressing, you need to start with homemade Southern cornbread. Begin by making a pan of super fast and easy homemade cornbread without sugar -- follow the steps in our Southern cornbread recipe here.
Once the cornbread is baked and cooled, it's time to make the dressing mixture:
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Tip For Success
- Use salted butter for cooking
- Use regular chicken broth or chicken stock rather than reduced-sodium for best flavor
- Dice onions and celery into petite pieces for proper consistency. I use a handy chopper to make it fast and easy.
- Store in an airtight container or cover tightly with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. (Southern dressing usually tastes best the next day, after flavors have melded together overnight.)
Every bite of this delicious, moist dressing compliments the turkey, without overpowering it with too many strong flavors. It's easy to see why this classic dish has become a family favorite, especially during the holiday season. I hope you'll add it to your family's holiday table this year!
Have a comment or a vintage recipe you'd like to share? We'd love to hear from you! Please rate, comment, or send me an email at [email protected].
Homemade Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ pound butter
- 2 medium yellow onions diced
- 3 stalks celery diced
- 1 pan cornbread (8x8) prepared without sugar
- 6 ounces seasoned stuffing cubes
- ½ teaspoon rubbed sage
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 14.5 ounces chicken broth
- 14.5 ounces water fill your can of broth with water
Instructions
- In a large skillet, melt butter. When butter is melted, add diced onion and celery. Simmer in butter until softened, about 5 minutes.
- In a large bowl, break cornbread up into crumbs. Add stuffing cubes, sage and pepper.
- Using a wooden spoon or spatula, mix the celery and onion mixture into the bowl of stuffing.
- Mix the can of chicken broth with 1 can of water, then add to the stuffing mix. Using your hands or a wooden spoon/spatula, mix the ingredients until fully combined and moist.
- Place in a greased casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden.
- Pour a couple of tablespoons of turkey drippings over the stuffing before serving, if desired.
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