Satisfy your cravings with Southern Cornbread Dressing
Hey, y’all! Are you looking for a hearty and delicious dish to impress your guests at Thanksgiving or any other special occasion? Then I’ve got just the recipe for you – old fashioned southern cornbread dressing!
This traditional southern recipe has been handed down for generations and is perfect for any gathering. It’s a delicious mix of southern cornbread, chicken broth, celery, onion, and poultry seasoning that will have your taste buds singing country melodies.
But this recipe is more than just a dish – it’s also a piece of history. The recipe has been around for more than 150 years and is a celebration of southern style cooking. It’s the embodiment of family, love, and tradition.
So why not add some southern charm to your table this holiday season with this old fashioned southern cornbread dressing recipe? Trust me, your friends and family will be asking for seconds (and thirds) – it’s just that good!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Are you looking for a dish that will transport you to the heart of the South, where comfort food reigns supreme? Look no further than my Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe. One bite and you’ll be whisked away to grandma’s kitchen, filled with the smells of Thanksgiving and Sunday dinners.
This recipe is tried-and-true, passed down through generations of southern cooks. With ingredients like chicken and turkey broth, canola oil, celery, and onions, it’s a true taste of traditional southern flavors. And don’t forget about the star of the show – a homemade Southern cornbread that’s been perfected over 150 years!
But what really sets this dish apart is its versatility. You can enjoy it as a main course or as a side dish to complement your favorite southern dishes like fried chicken, collard greens, or mashed potatoes. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try mixing in some sage or bell peppers to add your own unique twist.
Whether you’re hosting a big family gathering or just want to indulge in some southern comfort food, my Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe is sure to hit the spot. Trust me, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your kitchen and a crowd favorite at any event.
Ingredient List
Here’s what you need to prepare this traditional southern cornbread dressing recipe. You can make your own homemade cornbread, but if you don’t have the time, store-bought cornbread works just as well.
Cornbread Dressing Ingredients:
- 2 cups crumbled southern cornbread
- 6 cups of torn small pieces of white bread (recipe ingredients 1x | 1x 2x | 2x 3x)
- 1/2 cup of finely chopped onion
- 1/2 cup of chopped celery
- 4 slices of diced and cooked bacon (optional)
- 1 teaspoon of dried sage
- 2 teaspoons of poultry seasoning
- 1 tablespoon of salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 1/4 cup Canola oil or unsalted butter
Variations:
To add a bit more flavor to your dressing or adjust it to your preferences, you can also include some of the following variations:
- Substituting turkey broth for chicken broth
- Including some diced bell peppers in the onion and celery mix
- Adding some chopped parsley flakes on top after baking for garnish
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have gone through the ingredient list, it’s time to put everything together and create the perfect old fashioned southern cornbread dressing. Get your aprons on, folks!
Prepping the Ingredients
Before we get into the thick of things, we need to prep our ingredients. First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, tear up your white bread into small pieces and put them into a mixing bowl with 6 cups of crumbled cornbread and half a sleeve of crushed saltine crackers (optional). Mix well and set aside.
Next, you need to sauté your onions, celery and bell peppers until they are soft and tender. Once done, add in your parsley flakes, poultry seasoning and sage (a traditional southern herb). Set this mixture aside for later.
Use a large mixing bowl to combine 4 cups of chicken broth and 2 cups of turkey broth with four beaten eggs. Mix together thoroughly and set aside.
The Cooking Process
Now that you’ve prepped all your ingredients, it’s time to start cooking!
Take a large skillet and melt 8 tablespoons of unsalted butter along with 1½ cup of margarine or canola oil (it’s up to you) over medium heat. Sauté diced onions along with three ribs of chopped celery until the vegetables are tender. This normally takes about ten minutes.
Add this mixture to your bowl containing torn bread and mixed cornbread in addition to the sautéed onion-celery-bell pepper-herb mixture (which we had prepared earlier).
Slowly mix in your bowl containing broth-egg combination until every ingredient is moistened evenly throughout (it takes approximately two minutes)! Finally add salt as per taste.
Baking Your Cornbread Dressing
Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter and now pour your well-blended mixture into the dish. Let it bake for around 35 to 40 minutes until the top turns a rich golden-brown colour.
When cooked, let it rest for at least ten minutes before serving. This dressing pairs best with gravy and a mouth-watering roast meat, as it makes for a delightful combination of flavors!
[Onto the next section – (5) Substitutions and Variations]
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re like me, you love to experiment in the kitchen and try new things. There are many ways to customize your Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe. Here are some substitutions and variations that you might want to consider:
– Canola oil: You can use vegetable oil or melted butter instead of canola oil.
– Chicken broth or turkey broth: Use whichever one you prefer or have on hand. You can also use vegetable broth if you prefer a vegetarian version of the recipe.
– Margarine or unsalted butter: Either one will work in this recipe, but I recommend using unsalted butter if possible so you can control the salt level.
– White bread or saltine crackers: If you don’t have white bread on hand, substitute with saltine crackers for added crunch and salty flavor.
– Sage cornbread: Add dried sage to your cornbread batter for an extra punch of flavor. You can also use fresh sage leaves if you have them on hand.
– Bell peppers: Add diced bell peppers for extra color and flavor. You could also substitute with other vegetables like carrots or mushrooms.
– Dressing giblet gravy: Add a rich and flavorful giblet gravy to the finished dressing for even more depth of flavor.
Experiment with these substitutions and variations to create your own unique version of this classic Southern dish. Just remember to stick to the basic recipe ingredients ratios for consistent results.
Serving and Pairing
Let me tell you – there is nothing quite like the taste of old fashioned southern cornbread dressing alongside some perfectly roasted turkey or chicken. The flavors just blend together in an explosion of culinary goodness that will have your taste buds dancing with joy.
When serving this dish, you allow the dressing to take center stage by placing it in a large, decorative serving dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. I like to garnish the top with a sprinkle of parsley flakes or chopped fresh sage for an extra touch of color and flavor.
In terms of pairing, this recipe pairs perfectly with all your southern favorites – from collard greens to macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry relish, and even some good ol’ buttered corn on the cob. Trust me when I say your guests won’t be able to resist a little bit of everything on their plates!
But why stop there? For those who are looking for something more unconventional, this southern cornbread dressing also goes well with slow cooked meats like beef brisket or pulled pork. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try serving it alongside a hearty seafood stew for a delicious twist.
The possibilities are really endless here. So go ahead – experiment a little! The end result will be a meal that’s been elevated from ordinary to extraordinary. That’s what makes this dish so special – it’s versatile and can be enjoyed in so many ways.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
One of my favorite things about this old fashioned southern cornbread dressing recipe is that it can be made ahead of time, making it the perfect option for busy occasions like Thanksgiving. You can prepare the base mix up to two days in advance by combining all the ingredients and refrigerating them in an airtight container.
If you’re someone who loves to plan, you could even prepare the sage cornbread a week before, crumble it up and freeze it until needed. Just make sure to thaw it out before you begin making the dressing. Speaking of storing, leftovers can easily be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating this delicious dish couldn’t be easier. Place the leftover cornbread dressing in a microwave-safe dish with a lid or cover with foil and heat in the microwave at 30-second intervals until it is piping hot throughout. Alternatively, you could reheat on low heat on your stovetop while occasionally stirring to prevent sticking.
If you want to refresh your reheated cornbread dressing, add some chicken or turkey broth to it while heating. Not only will this make it more moist, but it will also bring out additional flavors you may have missed during its original preparation.
Overall, this old fashioned southern cornbread dressing recipe is a great idea if you want to save time and serve something warm and delicious on special occasions like Thanksgiving without becoming too frazzled in your kitchen!
Tips for Perfect Results
Now, let me give you some tips for perfecting this dressing recipe. Trust me when I say that these hints will elevate your dish from a regular cornbread dressing to an old-fashioned Southern classic that your family and guests will rave about for weeks to come.
First and foremost, make sure the cornbread is dry. You can speed up the drying process by leaving it out overnight, or if you are in a hurry, put it in a low-temperature oven until it dries. The goal here is to ensure that the cornbread has a crumbly texture so that it can absorb the chicken broth without becoming mushy.
To amplify the flavor of your dressing, add celery, onion, parsley flakes, and poultry seasoning. These aromatic ingredients will add depth and character to your cornbread dressing that will remind you of the traditional Southern staple.
It’s essential to not skimp on broth when prepping your dressing. I suggest using both chicken and turkey broth as they provide a much richer and bolder flavor than using only one or the other.
For best results, allow the baked dish to cool for at least 15 minutes before serving. This step helps the cornbread dressing to set and keeps its shape when scooped.
Lastly, if you want to get really fancy with your presentation, consider serving your dressing with giblet gravy. It’s another classic Southern recipe that pairs perfectly with cornbread dressing and adds an extra level of indulgence to it.
Follow these tips closely, and I guarantee this old-fashioned southern cornbread dressing recipe will become a Thanksgiving favorite in no time.
Bottom Line
with me, y’all – this Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe is an absolute must-try! With its perfect blend of traditional southern flavors and textures, it’ll transport you right back to your grandma’s kitchen. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile and can be customized to fit your taste preferences – from using white bread or saltine crackers to adding bell peppers or fresh sage.
Don’t let Thanksgiving go by without trying this recipe! It’s sure to impress your guests and add that extra special touch to your table. And rest assured, with my tips for perfect results and make-ahead instructions, you’ll be able to enjoy a stress-free holiday season while still serving up some of the best comfort food around.
So what are you waiting for? Grab those ingredients, don your apron, and get ready to cook up a deliciously satisfying dish that will have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!). Trust me – this Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe will not disappoint.
Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups cornbread, crumbled
- 1/4 cup celery, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 1/2 tablespoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon parsley flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup melted margarine
- 1 egg, well beaten
- 2 -3 cups chicken broth or 2 -3 cups turkey broth, to moisten
- 1 teaspoon canola oil
Instructions
- Saute the onion and celery in the canola oil until soft, melt margarine in same pan.
- Mix with remaining ingredients except broth in large bowl.
- Moisten with broth to your taste (I like mine pretty wet, I usually get closer to the 3 cups).
- Place in a casserole dish or aluminum pan.
- Bake at 400°F for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a nice crust develops on the top.
- **May use to stuff a 10 to 14 pound turkey. If stuffing a turkey, add very little broth. It will absorb additional moisture in the turkey. Pack loosely.
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