Here is a great addition to your Thanksgiving table, the Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread dressing. This is my all-time favorite recipe because it brings back childhood memories. It’s nicely moist in the middle and crispy on the edges. I will also share ideas to make it more fun.
This recipe is a holiday soul food classic. You can’t have a Thanksgiving meal without a pan of dressing. I remember hating it when I tried other people’s version of it , because to me my mother made the best cornbread dressing. It had a taste that was out of this world.
This recipe is similar to the way she makes it but I added my own flair and it’s everything. I would recommend serving this with my Jerk Sweet Chili Cornish Hen recipe or the holiday ham recipe.
What is Southern Cornbread Dressing
For those not familiar with Southern cuisine, cornbread dressing is a Thanksgiving and holiday staple. It’s made with cornbread crumbled or cut into cubes, along with celery, onions, herbs, and sometimes other ingredients like sausage or oysters. The cornbread is mixed with chicken or turkey broth and baked in the oven until golden brown on top.
One thing is for sure: cornbread dressing adds a delicious touch of southern flavor to any Thanksgiving or holiday meal. Try out a traditional southern cornbread dressing recipe this year and taste the difference for yourself.
Ingredients checklists
- 2 boxes of jiffy cornbread mix
- 5 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon white sugar
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic
- 2 cups celery, diced
- 1/2 medium red onion
- 1 medium red bell pepper
- 1 medium yellow bell pepper
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 10.5 ounce can Cream of chicken soup
- 1 stick salted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon seasoning salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon thyme
How to make Southern Cornbread dressing
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- In a large bowl, combine 2 boxes of a jiffy, 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, and 1 teaspoon sugar -mix well
- Bake for 25-35minutes or until fully cooked ( test with a toothpick if needed)
- Remove from oven, set aside
- In a large skillet heat olive oil and sauté garlic, celery, red onion, red bell pepper, and yellow bell pepper for 5-7 minutes or until tender
- Crumble up the cornbread
- In a large bowl add crumbled cornbread, veggie mixture, 3 eggs, melted butter, cream of chicken soup, chicken broth, seasoning salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme -mix well
- Spray a deep baking dish with non-stick spray and pour the dressing into the pan
- Bake for 45-50 minutes
- Remove from the oven, serve, and enjoy!
Substitutes and Variation
- For an extra boost of flavor, try adding in some diced green onions or bell peppers while mixing together the cornbread dressing ingredients.
- For extra crispy edges, try broiling your cornbread dressing for the last few minutes of cooking time. Delicious!
- If you want an extra boost of flavor, try adding in some diced celery or bacon while mixing together the cornbread dressing ingredients before baking.
Glam Kitchen Pro Tips
Use low sodium chicken broth
Use real butter not margarine
Commonly asked questions
Southern Cornbread dressing
Can cornbread dressing be made ahead of time?
Yes, cornbread dressing can definitely be made ahead of time. Just prepare it according to the recipe and store it in the fridge until ready to bake or reheat.
Is cornbread dressing baked covered or uncovered?
It really depends on your preference – some prefer a crispier top, so they might opt to bake it uncovered. Others like a softer texture and choose to cover the cornbread dressing while baking. Experiment with both methods to see which you prefer!
Why is my cornbread dressing gummy?
One potential reason for gummy cornbread dressing could be using cornbread that is too moist. It’s best to use cornbread that has been left out overnight or is slightly stale to ensure a drier texture. Another possible reason could be not cooking the dressing long enough – make sure to follow the recommended cooking time and temperature listed in your recipe. Lastly, adding too much liquid (such as broth) can also result in a gummy texture. Adjust the amount of liquid called for in your recipe and consider altering the cooking time if necessary.
How to know when cornbread dressing is done cooking?
The cornbread dressing is done cooking when it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You can also check for doneness by gently pressing down on the center of the cornbread dressing with a spoon or fork – it should feel firm and hold its shape.
Why is my cornbread dressing mushy?
Using the wrong type of cornbread – opting for a sweeter, cake-like cornbread rather than a traditional, crumbly southern cornbread can result in a moist mushy dressing.
As always , enjoy the recipe and let me know how it comes out for you!
More Holiday recipes
Lemon Pepper Cornish Hens Recipe
Moist Jiffy Cornbread mix with Creamed Corn
Southern Cornbread Dressing
Ingredients
- 2 Boxes jiffy cornbread mix
- 5 Eggs
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon White sugar
- 1 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Garlic
- 2 cups Celery , diced
- ½ Medium red onion
- 1 Medium red bell pepper
- 1 Medium yellow bell pepper
- 3 cups Low sodium chicken broth
- 10.5 ounce can Cream of chicken soup
- 1 Stick salted butter, melted
- 2 teaspoon Seasoning salt
- ¼ teaspoon Ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- In a large bowl, combine 2 boxes of jiffy , 2 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk , and 1 teaspoon sugar -mix well
- Bake for 25-35minutes or until fully cooked ( test with a toothpick if needed)
- Remove from oven , set aside
- In a large skillet heat olive oil and sauté garlic, celery, red onion, red bell pepper , and yellow bell pepper for 5-7 minutes or until tender
- Crumble up the cornbread
- In a large bowl add crumbled cornbread, veggie mixture, 3 eggs , melted butter , cream of chicken soup , chicken broth, seasoning salt , black pepper, garlic powder , and thyme -mix well
- Spray a deep baking dish with non stick spray and pour dressing into the pan
- Bake 45-50 minutes
- Remove from the oven , serve , and enjoy !