Ready to make the best Cornbread Dressing of your life? You’re in luck! This old-fashioned dressing recipe will quickly become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 3 cups crumbled cornbread
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 small onion, diced
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 tablespoon dried sage, or more to taste
- salt and ground black pepper to taste
How To Make Mama’s Cornbread Dressing
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 7×11-inch baking dish. Place crumbled cornbread in a large bowl.
Step 2: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery and sauté until soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
Step 3: Add sautéed onion and celery to the crumbled cornbread. Stir in chicken stock, eggs, sage, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour dressing into the prepared baking dish.
Step 4: Bake in the preheated oven until dressing just starts to turn golden brown around the edges, about 30 minutes.
Tips:
Homemade Cornbread: Making your cornbread from scratch is recommended. It provides better flavor and texture compared to store-bought cornbread.
Stale Cornbread: For the best texture, use stale or day-old cornbread. Fresh cornbread can become mushy when combined with the other ingredients.
Variety of Herbs: Experiment with herbs and seasonings like sage, thyme, rosemary, and parsley to enhance the flavor of your dressing.
Sautéed Vegetables: Sauté onions, celery, and sometimes bell peppers in butter or oil until they’re soft before adding them to the cornbread mixture. This adds depth to the dressing.
Use Stock: Use a good-quality chicken or vegetable broth to moisten the dressing. Pour it over the cornbread mixture gradually until you reach your desired level of moisture.
FAQs:
1. What’s the difference between stuffing and dressing?
Dressing is a side dish baked in a separate dish outside the bird, while stuffing is placed inside the bird before roasting.
2. Can I use store-bought cornbread for dressing?
You can use store-bought cornbread if you’re in a hurry, but homemade cornbread typically yields better results.
3. How can I make my cornbread dressing less dry?
Gradually add more broth or stock to the mixture until it reaches your desired level of moisture. Don’t overdo it, as you don’t want it to become too soggy.
4. Can I make cornbread dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cornbread and sautéed vegetable mixture ahead of time and then combine and bake when you’re ready to serve.
5. What variations can I make to cornbread dressing?
You can add ingredients like crumbled sausage, dried cranberries, pecans, or even oysters to customize your dressing to your taste.
6. How long should I bake cornbread dressing, and at what temperature?
Bake the dressing at 350°F (175°C) for about 30-40 minutes or until it’s golden brown and heated through.
7. Can I make a vegetarian or vegan cornbread dressing?
Absolutely! You can use vegetable broth and plant-based butter in your recipe and omit any animal products.
8. What’s the best way to reheat leftover cornbread dressing?
To reheat, place it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until it’s warmed through.
Enjoy your delicious, freshly made Cornbread Dressing!
