Homestyle Cornbread Dressing with Savory Vegetables
This Homestyle Cornbread Dressing is a heartwarming, classic dish that embodies the spirit of Southern cooking. Perfect for family gatherings and holiday meals, this recipe combines homemade cornbread with sautéed celery and onion, blending the rich flavors with herbs and broth for a delightful stuffing that complements any roast. Indulge in this comforting side dish that will keep your loved ones coming back for more, and share the joy of satisfying home-cooked meals.
N/A
Servings
195
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cornmeal
2 cups (measured)
Baking Powder
2 teaspoons (measured)
Baking Soda
1 teaspoon (measured)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Buttermilk
2 cups (measured)
Bacon Drippings
2 tablespoons (melted)
Celery
3 stalks (chopped)
Onion
1 medium (chopped)
Butter
1/3 cup (melted)
Day Old Bread
12 slices (crumbled)
Turkey Broth or Chicken Broth
2-2.5 cups (measured)
Milk
1 cup (measured)
Eggs
2 (beaten)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
Poultry Seasoning
1 teaspoon (measured)
Rubbed Sage
1/2 teaspoon (measured)
Pepper
1/4 teaspoon (measured)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (230°C).
2
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
3
Add 2 beaten eggs, buttermilk, and melted bacon drippings to the dry mixture and stir until well combined.
4
Carefully place a well-greased 10-inch cast iron skillet in the preheated oven for 4 minutes, or until it's hot.
5
Quickly remove the skillet from the oven and pour the cornbread batter into it. Bake for 35 minutes, or until the cornbread is lightly browned and cooked through.
6
Once baked, cool the cornbread slightly before crumbling it into a large mixing bowl.
7
In a medium skillet, melt butter and sauté the chopped celery and onion until tender, about 5-7 minutes.
8
Add the sautéed vegetables to the bowl of crumbled cornbread along with the day-old bread, turkey or chicken broth, milk, remaining beaten eggs, salt, poultry seasoning, rubbed sage, and pepper. Stir until all ingredients are well mixed.
9
Transfer the dressing into a lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan.
10
Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dressing is heated through.
Nutrition Information
11g
Fat
20g
Carbs
4.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Homestyle Cornbread Dressing?
It is a classic Southern side dish featuring homemade cornbread, sautéed celery and onions, and savory herbs like sage.
What ingredients are needed for the cornbread?
You will need cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, eggs, buttermilk, and melted bacon drippings.
At what temperature should I bake the cornbread?
The cornbread should be baked at 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).
How long does the cornbread bake?
Bake the cornbread for approximately 35 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through.
Why is a cast iron skillet recommended?
A 10-inch cast iron skillet is used to achieve a traditional crust; it is preheated for 4 minutes before adding the batter.
What vegetables are in this dressing?
The recipe calls for 3 stalks of chopped celery and 1 medium chopped onion.
How do I prepare the vegetables?
Sauté the chopped celery and onion in 1/3 cup of melted butter for 5-7 minutes until they are tender.
What type of broth should I use?
You can use 2 to 2.5 cups of either turkey broth or chicken broth depending on your preference.
Why does the recipe use day-old bread?
12 slices of day-old bread are crumbled and mixed in to help provide the ideal texture and absorb the broth.
How many eggs are used in total?
The recipe uses 4 eggs in total: 2 for the cornbread batter and 2 more for the dressing mixture.
What seasonings are used for the savory flavor?
The dressing is seasoned with poultry seasoning, rubbed sage, salt, and pepper.
What is the final baking temperature for the dressing?
The assembled dressing is baked at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
How long does the final dressing take to bake?
It takes 25-30 minutes for the dressing to become golden brown and heated through.
What size baking pan is needed?
A lightly greased 13x9 inch baking pan is required for the final bake.
How many calories are in a serving?
Each serving contains approximately 195 calories.
What is the fat content per serving?
There is 11g of fat per serving of cornbread dressing.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
A single serving contains 20g of carbohydrates.
How much protein is in the dressing?
The dressing provides 4.5g of protein per serving.
What is the purpose of the buttermilk?
2 cups of buttermilk are used to give the cornbread its traditional Southern flavor and moist texture.
Do I need to melt the butter before sautéing?
Yes, melt 1/3 cup of butter in a skillet before adding the celery and onions.
How much poultry seasoning is required?
The recipe calls for 1 teaspoon of poultry seasoning for the dressing mixture.
How much rubbed sage is added?
Add 1/2 teaspoon of rubbed sage to achieve a classic holiday aroma and taste.
What is the role of bacon drippings?
2 tablespoons of melted bacon drippings add a rich, smoky depth to the cornbread.
Is milk used in the recipe?
Yes, 1 cup of milk is added to the dressing mixture along with the broth.
Should the cornbread be hot when I crumble it?
No, you should let the cornbread cool slightly before crumbling it into the mixing bowl.
Can I use this for Thanksgiving?
Yes, this is an ideal recipe for Thanksgiving, holiday meals, and family gatherings.
What is the consistency of the dressing before baking?
The mixture of crumbled cornbread, bread, broth, milk, and eggs should be well-moistened before going into the pan.
How much salt is used in the cornbread?
The cornbread batter itself uses 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
How much salt is added to the dressing mixture?
An additional 1/4 teaspoon of salt is added to the final dressing assembly.
What is the amount of pepper needed?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon of pepper for seasoning.