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    Home » Recipes » Side Dishes

    The Best Southern Cornbread Dressing

    Updated: Apr 2, 2025 · Published: Nov 16, 2018 by Eileen Murphy Kelly

    Jump to Recipe
    Servings 12 servings
    Prep 10 minutes mins
    Cook 50 minutes mins
    Southern cornbread stuffing Pinterest pin.
    Southern Cornbread Pinterest Pin
    Cornbread stuffing pics for pinterest

    Southern Cornbread Dressing is my favorite traditional dressing/stuffing recipe. I always make this for Thanksgiving and family gatherings. I use my homemade cornbread recipe and another bread, usually Italian or sourdough as the base of the stuffing.

    A classic Thanksgiving side dish and always delicious!

    Southern Cornbread Dressing in a white casserole.

    Cornbread as the base of this stuffing adds an amazing depth of flavor. It adds a buttery flavor and the cornmeal adds great texture.

    Personally stuffing is my favorite side dish for Thanksgiving! I started making this Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe when my son Aidan was small because cornbread is his favorite and I always have a loaf in the house!

    Between the cornbread, Italian bread, herbs, butter, and egg, the flavors come together nicely and in no time, you have the most delicious moist Southern Cornbread Dressing!

    Stuffing or dressing, another one of those things like recipes like cheesy scalloped potatoes or au gratin, whatever you call it, just eat and enjoy!

    FAQs about Southern Cornbread Dressing:

    What is the difference between dressing and stuffing?

    I don't want to rock anyone's dressing or stuffing boat! Here is my take on the "Is it stuffing or dressing?" Stuffing is traditionally put inside the bird before being baked. While dressing is cooked in a casserole. Again, call it whatever makes you happy, eat and enjoy!

    If you need to pick Team Dressing or Team Stuffing, this is a fun article about regions in the United States and the quest for a dressing/stuffing recipe!

    Can Southern Cornbread Dressing be made ahead?

    Absolutely. I make this the day before we are going to eat it and keep it well covered in the fridge until I bake it. **This is a dressing and it is not stuffed into the bird. Perfectly safe to make ahead!

    Will this Cornbread Dressing be made ahead and frozen? 

    I have made it ahead of time but I do not bake the dressing. I freeze the dressing and once defrosted, I bake the cornbread stuffing.

    How long can Southern Cornbread Dressing be kept in the fridge?

    I keep the dressing in the fridge for up to three days, well covered in the refrigerator.

    Some other of my favorite Holiday recipes:

    • Easy Roasted Turkey Recipe
    • Maple Bourbon Turkey Breast
    • Make Ahead Turkey Gravy
    • Instant Buttermilk Pot Mashed Potatoes
    • Stovetop Mashed Potatoes
    • Marshmallow Sweet Potato Casserole
    • Green Beans, Mushrooms, and Shallots
    • Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
    • Quick and Easy Cranberry Relish
    • Instant Pot Turkey Stock
    • Pecan Pie Cheesecake Bars
    • No-Churn Pumpkin Ice Cream
    • Pecan Pie Cheesecake Recipe
    Flavorful Southern Cornbread Dressing in a large white casserole dish!

    Tips

    • Very important to refrigerate your Thanksgiving leftovers as soon as possible after dinner.
    • This is a dressing. Do not stuff inside the turkey as it uses ingredients that are sautéed.
    • If reheating dressing and you find your dressing is a bit dry, add a bit of chicken stock.

    This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com 

    I also have a store where I am always updating great finds for not just cooking, I hope you check it out here, Everyday Eileen I will continue to update it regularly!

    Thank you so very much for being apart of Everyday Eileen

    Tools You May Need to Make Southern Cornbread Dressing:

    • Sur La Table Set of 3 White Rectangular Baking Casseroles:
    • Mercier Serrated Knife:

    How To Make Southern Cornbread Dressing:

    1. Cube cornbread and Italian bread into small pieces. Skillet cornbread and italian bread in a large bowl to make Southern Cornbread Dressing
    2. Saute onions, celery, and garlic in unsalted butter.  Sauteed onions,celery and garlic in butter as the base of Southern Cornbread Dressing
    3. Add the sauteed onion/celery mixture and chicken stock to the cornbread mix.
    4. Season the cornbread dressing with ground sage, poultry seasoning, pepper, salt, and fresh parsley.
    5. Taste for seasoning, if needed adjust seasoning. if needed. Diced homemade cornbread, onions,celery, chicken stock combined together to make Southern Cornbread Dressing
    6. Add in beaten eggs to the cornbread dressing. 
    7. Spray a large casserole dish with non-stick spray.
    8. Add the cornbread dressing. Cornbread, veggies, and herbs in a large white casserole dish to be baked to make Southern Cornbread Dressing.
    9. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
    10. Remove foil and bake for another 15 minutes.
    11. Serve and enjoy!

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    Southern Cornbread Dressing in a white Casserole dish with red linen on the side of the bowl.

    Southern Cornbread Dressing

    Traditional Southern Cornbread Stuffing made with homemade cornbread, fresh Italian Bread, butter, chicken stock, and herbs. A delicious dressing/stuffing that's perfect for Thanksgiving or any Holiday! 
    5 from 7 votes
    Print (Email Required) Pin Rate
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: cornbread dressing, Southern cornbread dressing
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 50 minutes minutes
    0 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour
    Servings: 12 servings
    Calories: 272kcal
    Author: Eileen Kelly

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases

    Equipment Needed:

    • As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
    • 9x13 inch casserole dish
    • Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
    • Liquid Measuring Cup
    • Cutting Board

    Ingredients

    • 6 cups Cornbread, homemade or store-bought See Note 2
    • 6 cups Italian Bread, cubed See Note 2
    • 1 stick unsalted butter
    • 1 large onion, peeled and diced
    • 4 stalks celery, diced
    • 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
    • 2-3 cups fat-free chicken stock or homemade
    • ¼ cup fresh chopped parsley
    • 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
    • 1 teaspoon ground sage
    • 1 teaspoon ground thyme
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon black pepper
    • 2 large eggs, beaten
    • non-stick cooking spray
    US Customary - Metric

    Instructions

    • Slice cornbread and Italian bread into small cubes. Place bread onto a baking sheet overnight to dry or place the trays in the oven at a temp of 350 degrees for about 10 minutes to dry the cubes.(Note 1)
    • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9"x13" casserole dish with non-stick olive oil spray.
    • In a large saute pan melt butter. Add in celery and onions. Saute for about 5 minutes. Veggies will soften. Add in garlic and saute another two minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside. Place the cornbread and Italian bread cubes in a large bowl.
    • To the cornbread, add the butter/veggie combo, 2 cups of chicken stock, fresh parsley, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, salt, and pepper. Check the seasoning. Re-season if needed. If the mixture is too dry, add some more chicken stock.
    • Mix in the beaten egg and mix everything well.
    • Add the cornbread dressing mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 20 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

    NOTES

    Note 1: To dry out the bread quickly for dressing/stuffing:  leave the bread on a large sheet pan overnight to become stale. Or place the bread cubes in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes to harden the bread. 
    Note 2: I like to crumble half of the cornbread and make small ½ inch cubes with the second half. Use ½ loaf of Italian Bread. The total amount of bread equals about 12 cups of bread. If making homemade cornbread, an 8x8 bread will give you enough cornbread for 6 cups. 
    I am not a registered dietician, I do my best to provide the most accurate nutritional values. Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation. Actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and portion sizes.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 6ounces | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 461mg | Potassium: 171mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 400IU | Vitamin C: 1.6mg | Calcium: 63mg | Iron: 1.4mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @Everyday_Eileen or tag #everydayeileen!

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    Thank you for sharing!

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