Introduction
Welcome to our delicious recipe for Southern Cornbread Dressing! This classic dish is a staple at Thanksgiving and other special occasions. Our recipe is tailored specifically for those in the 45-65 age range, with a friendly and easy-to-understand tone. So let’s get started and learn how to make this mouthwatering dressing!
Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 pan of cornbread (8×8 inches)
- 6 slices of stale white bread
- 1 cup celery, chopped
- 1 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 2 eggs, beaten
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon poultry seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Crumble the cornbread and white bread into a large mixing bowl.
- In a skillet, sauté the celery and onion in a little bit of butter until they are tender.
- Add the sautéed celery and onion mixture to the bowl with the bread crumbs.
- Pour in the chicken broth, milk, beaten eggs, melted butter, salt, black pepper, and poultry seasoning. Mix everything together until well combined.
- Grease a baking dish and transfer the dressing mixture into it.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the dressing is set.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serving Suggestions
This Southern Cornbread Dressing pairs perfectly with roasted turkey or chicken. Serve it alongside some cranberry sauce and green beans for a complete and satisfying meal. Don’t forget to share this delicious recipe with your friends and family!
Conclusion
We hope you enjoy making and eating this Southern Cornbread Dressing as much as we do. It’s a true comfort food that brings back memories of family gatherings and celebrations. So gather your loved ones, put on some relaxing music, and savor the flavors of this classic dish. Happy cooking!
Thanksgiving just wouldn’t be Thanksgiving proper without the cornbread dressing. It’s almost, if not, the most important part of the meal at our house. If you have turkey, you have to have dressing with it. Nothing else will do. Of course, you also have to have mashed potatoes and gravy. It just all has to be there, together in unison, on the plate. This might not be true for all of you and your Thanksgiving dinners, but it is for us.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
As far back as I can remember, the night before Thanksgiving, I can conjure up the pungent smell of poultry seasoning, black pepper and celery and onions being diced by my mother or other relatives who might be at our house for the holiday. The dressing was always mixed up the night before and it made me so hungry smelling all of the preparations for the next day’s meal.
It was comforting to know that people were in that kitchen getting things ready for all of us so that we would have a wonderful meal together. The smells are always what bring us back it seems.
The Great Dressing vs. Stuffing Debate
Now, out of the past and into the present, I really have dreaded writing this post. I have discovered, the hard way, that dressing or stuffing as some call it, is a very controversial topic in the food world. I guess I never really knew that. Is it dressing or is it stuffing? Does dressing have to be cornbread or does stuffing have to be, well, stuffed, as in the bird stuffed? Is dressing the southern term for the same thing those above the Mason Dixon line call stuffing? It’s all so crazy and people can get so argumentative about it.
Here is my take on it, dressing is the southern term for what we make and serve and it’s usually a base of cornbread with (sometimes) other breads mixed in. Stuffing seems to be a northern or Midwestern term for something similar, but not always made with cornbread. Whether you stuff it in the bird or not, doesn’t really seem to be a factor in whether it’s called dressing or stuffing. I really think it’s a geographic semantics sort of thing.
The Perfect Recipe for Cornbread Dressing
We bake our dressing in a casserole dish or baking pan. I honestly don’t ever remember my mother baking it in the bird. I hear it’s safer to bake it in the baking dish and not in the bird where it might not get cooked through enough so it’s good we don’t do that. If you do, be sure it reaches 165 degrees in the very center of the stuffing to be safe.
Here is what you will need for our delicious cornbread dressing:
- 1 pan of cornbread (recipe below)
- 6 slices white bread, toasted and cut into cubes
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
- 2 cups celery, finely diced
- 1 large onion, finely diced
- 1 stick butter
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 Tbs. poultry seasoning
- 1 tsp. sage (optional)
- 6 cups chicken or turkey stock
- 1 can cream of chicken soup
- 4 eggs, beaten
Cornbread Recipe
- 1 cup self-rising flour
- 1 cup self-rising cornmeal
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 Tbs. oil
- 2 eggs, beaten
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix all together and pour into an 8″x8″ baking dish that has been heated with enough oil in it to cover the bottom well or you can use an iron skillet. Bake for 30 minutes.
In a large mixing bowl, crumble cornbread, add bread cubes, and the crushed saltines. Place butter in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion and celery until tender. Pour this mixture over the bread and crackers. Add seasonings. You will notice that we use mostly poultry seasoning. We actually leave the optional sage out because the poultry seasoning is a blend of sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, and black pepper. It’s not so overwhelming and ‘green’ like the sage can be when overused. If your family likes their dressing green with sage, use more sage and less poultry seasoning. However, I am convinced that the overuse of sage and the underuse of other seasonings is what ruins a lot of good dressing.
Add 6 cups of chicken or turkey broth, the beaten eggs, and the can of cream of chicken soup. The can of soup adds the best flavor to dressing, but I can always envision the comments on this. I am not sure when canned soup got such a bad reputation, but let me say you can leave it out if you think you might die after ingesting it right there at the Thanksgiving dinner table. If you do leave it out, add an extra cup of broth and you might need a smidgen more salt. Lightly mix all of this together. This mixture will be loose, not tight or too thick. If it’s too thick, add some more stock to it.
Spray a large baking pan or casserole dish with nonstick baking spray and pour the mixture in. Smooth the top, but don’t pack it down in the dish. That makes the dressing too compacted and dry when baked.
This is best when prepared the night before and refrigerated overnight to give the flavors a chance to blend. When you take it out to bake on Thanksgiving day, drizzle about a cup of the warm turkey broth from your just-baked turkey over the top of the dressing. This seeps down into the dressing as it bakes and really makes it moist and flavorful.
Bake in a 350-degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. This makes a really big pan of dressing, so if you are cooking for a smaller family, you can put this in two casserole dishes and freeze one for Christmas or another meal when you might have baked chicken or whatever. If you use two smaller casseroles, bake for about 30-35 minutes.
Conclusion
In the end, everyone has their own way of making cornbread dressing. Whether it’s a family recipe passed down through generations or a new twist on a classic, the important thing is that it brings us all together around the Thanksgiving table. So, experiment, have fun, and enjoy the process of creating a delicious dish that will be cherished for years to come. Happy Thanksgiving!
Are you tired of serving the same old dressing at Thanksgiving every year? Are you looking for a recipe that will impress your family and friends? Look no further! We have the perfect cornbread dressing recipe that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
A Delicious Twist on a Classic Favorite
Traditional cornbread dressing is a staple at Thanksgiving dinners, but we’ve added a twist to make it even more delicious. Our recipe includes cream of chicken soup, which adds a delicate onion flavor and gives the dressing an extra oomph. Trust us, you won’t be disappointed.
Easy to Make, Easy to Love
One of the best things about this cornbread dressing recipe is that it’s incredibly easy to make. Even if you’re not an experienced cook, you can still whip up a batch of this delicious dressing. Just follow our simple instructions, and you’ll have a dish that will impress even the toughest critics.
The Perfect Combination of Flavors
Our cornbread dressing recipe combines the perfect blend of flavors to create a dish that will make your taste buds sing. The combination of cornbread, biscuits, and crackers gives the dressing a lighter texture and a depth of flavor that is simply irresistible.
Freezing Made Easy
One common issue with cornbread dressing is that it doesn’t freeze well, especially if it contains hard-boiled eggs. But don’t worry, our recipe eliminates that problem. You can confidently make a large batch of this dressing and freeze the leftovers for later. It’ll taste just as delicious when you thaw and reheat it.
Southern Dressing at its Finest
If you’re from the South, you know that cornbread dressing is a must-have at Thanksgiving. Our recipe stays true to the southern tradition and doesn’t include any unnecessary ingredients like sausage, apples, or oysters. We believe in keeping it simple and letting the flavors of the cornbread shine through.
A Family Favorite
This cornbread dressing recipe has been passed down through generations, and it’s always a hit at our family gatherings. The secret to its success lies in the combination of cornbread, biscuits, and a touch of sage. It’s a true comfort food that will warm your heart and satisfy your taste buds.
Make it Your Own
While our recipe is already perfect, we understand that everyone has their own preferences. Feel free to make some modifications to suit your taste. Add your favorite herbs and spices, or experiment with different types of bread. The possibilities are endless, and we encourage you to make this recipe your own.
Share the Love
We hope that this cornbread dressing recipe will become a new favorite at your Thanksgiving table. Share it with your friends and family, and spread the love of good food. And remember, there’s no such thing as a “wrong” dressing. Whether you prefer cornbread or bread, eggs or no eggs, what matters most is that you enjoy every bite.
Happy cooking and happy Thanksgiving!
Introduction
Are you tired of dense dressings that require a knife to cut through? Well, we have the perfect solution for you! In this article, we will share a delicious dressing recipe that will make your taste buds dance with joy. We understand that dressing should never be dry, so we’ve included plenty of flavorful liquid to keep it moist and tasty. Say goodbye to boring dressings and get ready to elevate your Thanksgiving feast!
The Perfect Dressing: In the Bird or Baked?
In our house, we have a tradition: stuffing goes in the bird, and dressing is baked separately in a casserole dish. This way, we can ensure that both options are equally delicious and safe to eat. When you stuff the turkey with hot ingredients and cook it properly, there’s no need to worry about getting sick. However, if you use cold ingredients, there’s a chance they won’t heat up enough, and that’s when problems can arise.
A Time-Tested Method
For almost 40 years, I’ve been making turkey stuffing that has never failed to impress. Not only has no one ever gotten sick from it, but they also can’t resist having second helpings. Here’s my secret: the night before, I pre-cut all the onions and celery. On the day of cooking, I sauté them until they’re piping hot. This ensures that the stuffing is perfectly heated when it goes into the turkey.
Crock Pot Magic
If you’re worried about oven space while cooking the big bird, we have a solution for you: use a crock pot! By cooking the dressing in a crock pot, you’ll free up much-needed oven space and still achieve the same delicious results. Simply set the crock pot to low and let it work its magic.
A Classic with a Twist
While our dressing recipe stays true to tradition, we’ve added a slight twist that will leave you craving more. Instead of using soft-boiled eggs, we use hard-boiled eggs, giving the dressing an extra burst of flavor. Trust us, your Thanksgiving feast won’t be complete without this scrumptious dressing!
A Crowd-Pleasing Recipe
If you’re looking for a foolproof recipe that will satisfy everyone’s taste buds, look no further. By using Pepperidge Farm stuffing of bread cubes, you’ll achieve a perfect texture that will have your guests begging for the recipe. Even my daughter-in-law, who is quite the critic, can’t resist this dressing. It’s the one thing she always requests for Thanksgiving!
A Southern Twist
Our recipe may be close to yours, but we have a secret ingredient that takes it to the next level. Instead of using regular bread, we use a combination of cornbread and jumbo biscuits. After covering them with hot broth, we mash them up using a potato masher. The result? A mouthwatering dressing that will make your taste buds sing. Trust us, this Southern twist is worth trying!
Serving a Crowd
Worried about how much dressing you’ll need? Don’t fret! This recipe will generously serve 10 to 12 people, ensuring that everyone gets their fair share of this delectable dish. No one will be left hungry at your Thanksgiving table!
A Southern Lady’s Approval
If you’re a fan of Southern-style dressing, then you’re in for a treat. Our recipe has been approved by a proud Southern “lady” who knows her way around the kitchen. She even shared her famous cornbread salad recipe that has been passed down for generations. Get ready to impress your family and friends with this authentic Southern feast!
Grandma’s Cooking Wisdom
Remember that bag of “stuff” that comes inside the turkey? While some may use it for broth, it’s not the best choice for dressing. The real flavor comes from the turkey itself. So, make sure to use the turkey’s broth to achieve the perfect taste and texture. Grandma always knew best!
Conclusion
We hope this article has inspired you to try our irresistible dressing recipe. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is guaranteed to impress. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your ovens, and get ready to create a Thanksgiving feast that will have everyone asking for seconds. Happy cooking!
Note: If you have any questions or need immediate answers, feel free to send me a private message on Facebook or post it on my wall. I’ll be more than happy to help you out!
