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Southern Cornbread Dressing

My cherished family recipe for Southern Cornbread Dressing is wonderfully moist and seasoned with onions, celery, and sage.

Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
1 hr 40 mins
Total Time
1 hr 55 mins
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 240 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the egg bread:
  • 2 cups finely ground white cornmeal sifted
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 cups buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons cooking oil
For the dressing:
  • 2 onions
  • 3 ribs celery
  • 8 tablespoon butter (1 stick)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Egg Bread recipe follows
  • 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
  • 32 ounces chicken (or turkey) broth or stock
  • 2 cups saltine crackers or leftover biscuits or stale bread (may need more to finish)
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • ¾ teaspoon poultry seasoning
  • 3 eggs

Instructions

Make the egg bread:
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Sift together the cornmeal, baking powder and salt.
  3. Into the dry ingredients, alternately add the buttermilk and eggs (add one egg at a time, followed by some of the buttermilk; whisk well after each addition).
  4. Pour the cooking oil into a large cast iron skillet and place it into the hot oven. Let the batter rest while the skillet and oil are heating (about 5 minutes).
  5. Remove the skillet from oven and carefully but quickly pour the batter into the hot skillet. Return the skillet immediately to the oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
  6. Allow the egg bread to cool completely before proceeding.
Assemble the dressing:
  1. Chop the onions and celery.
  2. Melt the butter over medium heat in a large sauté pan.
  3. Add the onions and celery cooking slowly until tender but without browning at all. Sprinkle with the 1/2 tsp. salt while cooking.
  4. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
  5. Meanwhile, crumble the egg bread into a large baking dish.
  6. Add the crushed saltine crackers, soup, and broth. Mix well using a potato masher or large fork to break up the egg bread to a fine texture.
  7. Stir in the sautéed vegetables, salt, pepper and poultry seasoning. Taste and adjust for more salt if needed.
  8. Lightly beat the eggs and add to the dressing mixture. Your mixture should be fairly “soupy.” If you think it’s too thin, you can add some additional crackers, bread, etc. to thicken it. Be sure to crumble them well and incorporate them into the mixture.
  9. Bake for 35-45 minutes or until the dressing is golden brown on top and cooked throughout.

Notes

  • TO MAKE AHEAD: (1) Bake the egg bread one to two days ahead. Let it cool, then crumble it and store it in a container in the refrigerator, (2) Cook the onions and celery up to two days ahead and store them in the refrigerator, (3) Crush the crackers and have them ready to go. The day you're cooking, it will take you just a few moments to assemble everything and pop it into the oven.
  • STORING LEFTOVERS: Store in the refrigerator for up to four days. You can also freeze it for later use. To freeze, place the dressing in a freezer storage container and use within six months.
  • HOW TO SERVE: We always do a buffet for Thanksgiving. I make a large platter with sliced turkey on one end and mounds of dressing on the other. Serve turkey or giblet gravy to drizzle over the dressing and, of course, cranberry sauce on the side.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Calories 240kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 15g (5%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 17g (26%) Saturated Fat 7g (35%) Cholesterol 109mg (36%) Sodium 1479mg (62%) Potassium 228mg (7%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 3g (6%) Vitamin A 511IU (10%) Vitamin C 7mg (8%) Calcium 125mg (13%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 240

% Daily Value*

Serving 1
Calories 240kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 15g 5%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 109mg 36%
Sodium 1479mg 62%
Potassium 228mg 5%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 3g 6%
Vitamin A 511IU 10%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Calcium 125mg 13%
Iron 2mg 11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.