• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Flour Child logo

  • About Us
  • Recipes
  • Privacy
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Classic Cocktails
  • Dinners
  • About Us
    • Email
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    • A blue serving bowl filled with deviled egg salad garnished with paprika and green onions on a red background.
      Fast and Easy Deviled Egg Salad Recipe with Macaroni
    • Rock Hudson's chicken casserole in a white serving bowl.
      Rock Hudson's Favorite Chicken Casserole Recipe
    • Two gingerbread squares stacked on a Christmas dessert plate.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Gingerbread Cake Squares
    • A slice of Sinatra spicy pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream, on a white dessert plate.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
    • A bowl of chasers chili with chopped onions and oyster crackers on top, and a slice of cornbread on the side.
      Elizabeth Taylor's Favorite Recipe -- Chasen's Chili
    • Chai Sugar Cookies on a white plate on top of a green red placemat, with pinecones and cinnamon sticks in the background
      Taylor Swift's Holiday Recipe for Chai Sugar Cookies
    • A white plate with a mound of spaghetti on it and a stem of basil leaves on top. A fork is holding spaghetti above the plate, a bottle of chianti is in the background.
      Audrey Hepburn's Spaghetti al Pomodoro Pasta Recipe
    • A slice of Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake on a dessert plate, with whipped cream and a strawberry on top.
      Elvis Presley's Favorite Pound Cake Recipe
    • Frank Sinatra's Fettucine Alfredo in a white serving bowl, with a glass of white wine and a basket of breadsticks.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Fettuccine Alfredo Recipe
    • Slice of lemon pie on a dessert plate, with the whole pie behind it.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Lemon Meringue Pie Recipe
    • Spaghetti and meatballs on a white dinner plate with garlic bread and a glass of chianti.
      Frank Sinatra's Recipe for Spaghetti and Meatballs
    • A bowl of pasta fagioli witting on a red checkered tablecloth with a green napkin, a spoon, a bowl with slices of French bread, a glass of red wine, and a bottle of chianti in the background.
      Dean Martin's Favorite Pasta Fagioli Soup Recipe
    Home » Side Dishes » Homemade Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    Published: Nov 10, 2020 · Modified: Nov 19, 2024 by Nancy Blackstone · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Homemade Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    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.

    Kentucky cornbread stuffing in a casserole dish
    The perfect side dish for your Thanksgiving table
    Table of Contents
    • Family Recipe For Southern Style Cornbread Dressing
    • Alternatives to Stuffing the Turkey
    • Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Ingredients
    • Steps For Making Traditional Cornbread Dressing
    • Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
    • Tip For Success
    • Homemade Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    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
    All of the ingredients in Southern-style cornbread dressing on a black background.

    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

    Butter melting in skillet
    1. Melt butter in a large skillet
    celery and onion added to butter in skillet
    2. Add celery and onion
    celery and onion simmering in skillet
    3. Simmer
    cornbread broken up into crumbs in bowl
    4. Break up corn bread in a large mixing bowl
    stuffing cubes with pepper and sage added to cornbread crumbs
    5. Add bread cubes, sage, and pepper to crumbled cornbread
    adding celery, onion and butter mixture to crumb mixture
    6. Stir in celery & onion vegetable mixture
    pouring diluted chicken broth into Kentucky cornbread stuffing mix
    7. Add diluted chicken broth
    ingredients all mixed together
    8. Mix until fully combined
    cornbread stuffing transferred to a baking dish
    9. Transfer dressing from large bowl to baking dish
    Cornbread stuffing in a white casserole dish with a spoonful being lifted out.
    From the oven to the dinner table in a mid century casserole dish

    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!

    • A piece of cornbread sliced in half on a small blue bread plate, with a pat of butter on one piece. A basket of cornbread is in the background.
      Southern Style Cornbread
    • A wooden spoon lifting a scoop of cream corn from a casserole dish.
      Easy Homemade Southern Sweet Creamed Corn Recipe
    • A slice of Sinatra spicy pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream, on a white dessert plate.
      Frank Sinatra's Favorite Spicy Pumpkin Pie Recipe
    • Chai Sugar Cookies on a white plate on top of a green red placemat, with pinecones and cinnamon sticks in the background
      Taylor Swift's Holiday Recipe for Chai Sugar Cookies

    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].

    Cornbread stuffing in a white casserole dish with a spoonful being lifted out.

    Homemade Southern Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    This Southern Cornbread dressing recipe gets its homemade 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.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Total Time 50 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8 Servings
    Calories 427 kcal

    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. 

    Notes

    You can make the stuffing a day ahead and store it covered in the refrigerator until you're ready to bake. Allow an extra 10 minutes for baking if it's cold.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 427kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 5gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 62mgSodium: 951mgPotassium: 214mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 813IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 62mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword cornbread dressing, cornbread stuffing, Kentucky Thanksgiving dressing, Thanksgiving dressing, Thanksgiving side dishes
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Old Fashioned Side Dish Recipes

    • Six ears of grilled, browned corn stacked on a wooden serving tray.
      Grilled Corn on the Cob (In the Husk)
    • A cast iron skillet full of barbecued beans, with a wooden spoon set on the edge of the pan.
      Fast and Easy Homemade Barbecued Beans
    • A serving of classic potato salad on a green salad plate. Paprika is sprinkled on top.
      Classic Potato Salad Recipe
    • A rectangular serving plate with 7 watermelon wedges stacked, with a large square serving plate behind it and one quarter of a whole watermelon on it.
      Sliced Watermelon Wedges

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Nancy and Bentley

    Hi, I'm Nancy! Welcome to Flourchild where I share classic mid-century recipes from the 1940's - 1970's. I feature many vintage handwritten recipes, and provide modern shortcuts and a variety of healthy and special diet-friendly versions whenever possible. Join me in exploring the delicious flavors and from-scratch cooking techniques of our past!

    More about me →

      Favorites

      • Tuna Noodle Casserole With Buttered Cracker Topping
      • Close up of a sloppy Joe on a bun
        World's Best Sloppy Joes From Scratch
      • Kentucky Style Biscuits and Gravy - A Southern breakfast favorite
      • Two large cinnamon apple pancakes on a black plate with apple topping and maple syrup running down the sides.
        Cinnamon Apple Pancakes with Apple & Brown Sugar Topping
      • Hot Toddy cocktail in a clear mug with a lemon wheel and 2 small cranberries for garnish
        How to Make an Easy Bourbon and Honey Hot Toddy
      • An apple butter old fashioned cocktail in a tumbler with apples and fall-related items in the background
        Sip into Fall: How to Make the Perfect Apple Butter Old-Fashioned Cocktail

      Popular Recipes

      • Greyhound cocktail with a grapefruit wedge in a cocktail glass
        How to Make a Vodka and Grapefruit Greyhound Cocktail
      • Pork tenderloin with bacon on top, sitting on a mid century serving platter with a side of French apple sauce.
        Easy Roasted Pork Tenderloin Holiday Dinner Recipe
      • A single square serving of stained glass jello on a white plate.
        Stained Glass Jello Recipe (Broken Glass Jello)
      • Gin Gibson cocktail in a martini glass on a white bar napkin with an ice bucket in the background.
        How to Make the Best Classic Gin Gibson Cocktail

      • Email
      • Instagram
      • Pinterest

      Footer

      ↑ back to top

      About

      • Privacy Policy
      • Accessibility Policy

      Newsletter

      • Sign Up! for emails and updates

      Contact

      • Contact

      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

      Copyright © 2025 Brunch Pro on the Brunch Pro Theme

      Rate This Recipe

      Your vote:




      Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

      This worked exactly as written, thanks!
      My family loved this!
      Thank you for sharing this recipe

      Or write in your own words:

      A rating is required
      A name is required
      An email is required

      Recipe Ratings without Comment

      Something went wrong. Please try again.