Description
Comforting Southern cornbread dressing brings classic holiday flavors to your table with a hearty blend of crumbled cornbread, herbs, and savory chicken broth. Generations of family traditions shine through this beloved side dish that warms hearts and delights dinner guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 cups cornbread, crumbled
- 4 cups white bread or biscuits, crumbled
- 2 large eggs
- 2 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 ribs celery, finely chopped
Seasonings and Additional Components:
- 1 stick (1/2 cup or 113 grams) butter
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 can (10.5 ounces or 298 grams) cream of chicken soup
Instructions
- Prepare the bread foundation by crumbling day-old cornbread and white bread into a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring a consistent texture and size for even blending.
- Heat a skillet over medium temperature, gently melt butter until it becomes golden and fragrant. Add diced onions and celery, sautéing until vegetables transform into a translucent and tender state, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Transfer the aromatic sautéed vegetables and remaining butter into the bread mixture, incorporating them thoroughly with a gentle folding motion.
- Season the mixture with poultry seasoning, sage, freshly ground black pepper, and kosher salt, distributing the spices evenly to enhance the overall flavor profile.
- Introduce chicken broth, whisked eggs, and cream of chicken soup to the bread mixture. Stir carefully to maintain a cohesive yet not overly saturated consistency. Adjust liquid quantity if the texture appears too dry or wet.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C), ensuring proper temperature for optimal cooking and browning.
- Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter to prevent sticking and promote a crispy exterior.
- Carefully spread the seasoned bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even layer for consistent cooking.
- Bake uncovered for 35-45 minutes, monitoring until the surface achieves a golden-brown color and the center becomes firm and set.
- Remove from oven and allow the dressing to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling flavors to meld and structure to stabilize before serving alongside traditional holiday proteins.
Notes
- Make homemade cornbread a day ahead for deeper, richer flavor and better texture absorption.
- Crumble breads into similar-sized pieces to ensure even moisture and consistent baking throughout the dish.
- Sauté vegetables in butter slowly to develop caramelized, sweet undertones that enhance the overall dressing complexity.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth to control salt levels and prevent the dressing from becoming too salty or overwhelming.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 286 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg