Description
Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is a classic Southern side dish featuring a savory blend of cornbread, bread cubes, aromatic vegetables, and traditional poultry seasonings. It’s baked to golden perfection, making it a comforting addition to holiday meals like Thanksgiving or any family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 6 cups crumbled cornbread
- 4 cups day-old bread cubes (white or wheat)
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 2 cups celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and celery, cooking them until they become soft and fragrant, about 8 minutes. This step enhances the dressing’s flavor base.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, day-old bread cubes, sautéed onion and celery mixture, poultry seasoning, dried sage, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Stir everything together thoroughly to distribute the spices.
- Add Broth: Pour in the chicken broth gradually and stir until the mixture is evenly moistened but not soggy, ensuring the dressing holds together well when baked.
- Incorporate Eggs and Parsley: Fold in the lightly beaten eggs and chopped fresh parsley if using. The eggs help bind the ingredients for a cohesive texture.
- Transfer and Bake: Transfer the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake uncovered for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set, indicating the dressing is cooked through.
- Serve: Let the dressing cool slightly and serve warm, ideally paired with gravy or roasted turkey for a traditional Southern meal experience.
Notes
- You can prepare the dressing a day ahead and refrigerate it before baking for convenience.
- For richer flavor, replace part of the chicken broth with turkey drippings to add depth and moisture.
- To make the recipe vegetarian, substitute the chicken broth with vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 590mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
