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Classic Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing

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A comforting Southern-style cornbread dressing recipe that combines a moist cornbread base with savory aromatics and herbs, perfect for Thanksgiving and holiday meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups crumbled cornbread (preferably homemade, slightly crumbly, not too sweet; Jiffy mix recommended for quick version)
  • 2 cups day-old white bread cubes (stale bread preferred)
  • 1 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1 cup celery, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (low sodium; vegetable broth for vegetarian)
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 tsp dried sage
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Salt to taste
  • Optional add-ins:
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/2 cup cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage
  • Chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Crumble about 4 cups of room-temperature cornbread and 2 cups of day-old white bread cubes into a large mixing bowl. Let sit for about 10 minutes.
  2. Heat 1/2 cup unsalted butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and celery; cook 5-7 minutes until softened and translucent. Add minced garlic in the last minute.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 large eggs and 2 cups chicken broth. Slowly pour over the bread and cornbread crumbs, folding gently to combine.
  4. Stir in the sautéed onion, celery, and garlic mixture. Add 1 tsp dried sage, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and salt to taste. Fold in pecans or cooked sausage if using. Mixture should be moist but not soupy; add more broth if needed.
  5. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or oil. Spread mixture evenly and press lightly to compact without mashing.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until top is golden brown and center is set.
  7. Allow dressing to cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use day-old bread to prevent mushiness. Prefer crumbly, slightly savory cornbread over sweet varieties. Bake low and slow at 350°F to keep moist. Butter adds richness to aromatics. Adjust herbs if using fresh (reduce quantity by half). Can prepare a day ahead and refrigerate before baking. Leftovers reheat well with added broth to maintain moisture.

Nutrition

Keywords: cornbread dressing, southern dressing, Thanksgiving stuffing, holiday side dish, cornbread stuffing, easy cornbread dressing

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/classic-southern-style-cornbread-dressing-recipe-easy-best-thanksgiving-stuffing-comparison/