Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Laurel Perry

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

This old-fashioned, Southern-style Cornbread Dressing recipe is filled with fresh herbs, garlic, celery, and cubes of buttery cornbread. This savory cornbread stuffing is easy to make with quick prep, and it comes out of the oven mouthwateringly delicious. It’s the perfect side dish for Thanksgiving and beyond!

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Buttery, sweet cornbread mixes with savory aromatics and a touch of sweet brown sugar to create a dressing that’s the perfect complement to savory Thanksgiving favorites!

Variations on Cornbread Stuffing

This homemade cornbread dressing is so easy to modify to your liking. For a more savory take, simply omit the brown sugar. For a bit more visual and textural interest, try adding chopped nuts or dried cranberries.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover cornbread dressing tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 350°F oven covered with foil for about 30 minutes.

How to Freeze

You can freeze this cornbread stuffing casserole both before and after baking. Simply wrap tightly in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 1 layer of aluminum foil and store for up to 3 months. Bake directly from frozen in a 350°F oven for 55-60 minutes, or allow the baked dressing to thaw completely in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this tasty easy cornbread dressing with other Thanksgiving classics, like turkey, turkey gravy, mashed potatoes, candied sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, creamed corn, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, and other Thanksgiving side dishes.

What is the difference between cornbread stuffing and cornbread dressing?

While they’re basically the same thing, there is a technical difference: stuffing is cooked inside the bird (stuffed), and dressing is cooked on its own. So this recipe is a dressing, though I might call it stuffing sometimes.

What is cornbread dressing made of?

This dressing is made from cornbread, onions, celery, garlic, fresh herbs, eggs, broth, milk, and a little bit of sugar.

Can you leave cornbread out overnight for dressing?

Yes! While this dressing can be made with fresh cornbread, letting the cubes sit out overnight will help dry them out a bit to ensure the dressing doesn’t turn out gummy.

Is it better to use broth or stock for dressing?

Both work perfectly well!

How moist should dressing be before baking?

You want your stuffing mixture to be moist but not wet. If there is a puddle of broth at the bottom, you’ve added too much liquid. You can fix this by adding a bit more cornbread.

How do you know when dressing is done?

The top of the dressing should be lightly browned. You can tell if it’s cooked through by gently shaking the casserole dish. If the center wiggles, it needs a bit more time!

Why is my cornbread dressing crumbly?

If your dressing is crumbly, it’s likely that it is too dry. Try drizzling a bit more warm broth over top before serving.

Why is my cornbread dressing gummy?

If your dressing is gummy, it is likely both undercooked and too moist. Try cooking it uncovered for 10-15 minutes more to dry it out a bit.

Why is my cornbread dressing bland?

If your dressing turned out bland, try adding more herbs, salt, and pepper. Measure with your heart!

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

More Stuffing Recipes To Try

  • Homemade Turkey Stuffing
  • Vegetarian Stuffing
  • Wild Rice Sausage Stuffing
  • Butternut Squash Stuffing
  • Sausage Stuffing

Recipe

Cornbread Dressing Recipe

4.84 from 6 votes

Author: Laurel Perry

Prep: 15 minutes minutes

Cook: 1 hour hour

Total: 1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves10

Print Rate

Save Shop our store

Buttery, herb-y. and garlic-y, this old-fashioned cornbread dressing is quick to prep, and comes out of the oven incredibly tasty!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for greasing the pan
  • 2 onions finely diced
  • 3 ribs celery finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
  • 1 tablespoons minced fresh thyme
  • 9 cups cubed cornbread
  • 1 large egg lightly beaten
  • 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • ¾ cup whole milk
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper

Recommended Equipment

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter.

  • In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add in the onion and celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in the garlic, sage, parsley, and thyme. Cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.

    3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 onions, 3 ribs celery, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage, 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley, 1 tablespoons minced fresh thyme

    Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

  • Remove from the heat and pour into a large bowl.

    Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • To the vegetables, add the cornbread, egg, chicken broth, milk, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Gently stir until combined.

    9 cups cubed cornbread, 1 large egg, 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth, ¾ cup whole milk, ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon kosher salt

    Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

  • Spoon the mixture into your prepared pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until the top is golden.

    Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

  • You can use 2 teaspoons of dried rubbed sage in place of fresh and 1 teaspoon dried thyme in place of fresh.
  • You can use vegetable broth for a vegetarian cornbread stuffing.
  • You can freeze the whole casserole before baking, then bake directly from frozen at 350°F for 55-60 minutes.

Storage:Store cornbread dressing tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 793kcal (40%) Carbohydrates: 126g (42%) Protein: 16g (32%) Fat: 25g (38%) Saturated Fat: 11g (69%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g Monounsaturated Fat: 9g Trans Fat: 1g Cholesterol: 151mg (50%) Sodium: 1543mg (67%) Potassium: 437mg (12%) Fiber: 6g (25%) Sugar: 42g (47%) Vitamin A: 694IU (14%) Vitamin C: 5mg (6%) Calcium: 343mg (34%) Iron: 5mg (28%)

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

How to Make Cornbread Dressing Step by Step

Cook the Veggies: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter and set aside. In a large skillet, melt 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter over medium heat. Add in 2 finely diced onions and 3 finely diced ribs of celery. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add in 2 cloves of minced garlic, 2 tablespoons of minced fresh sage, 2 tablespoons of minced fresh parsley, and 1 tablespoon of minced fresh thyme. Cook until fragrant, 1-2 minutes.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

Add to a Bowl: Remove from the heat and pour into a large bowl.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

Add the Cornbread: To the vegetables, add 9 cups of cubed cornbread, 1 large egg, 1 cup of low-sodium chicken broth, ¾ cup of whole milk, ¼ cup of brown sugar, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, and ¼ teaspoon of ground black pepper. Gently stir until combined.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

Cover and Bake: Spoon the mixture into your prepared pan. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 20 minutes or until the top is golden.

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (17)

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (18)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

Cornbread Dressing Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

How to make Paula Deen cornbread dressing? ›

In a large bowl, whisk together broth, soup, eggs, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper; stir in vegetable mixture. Crumble cornbread into broth mixture and stir until well combined. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Bake until center is set, 45 to 55 minutes.

How do you keep cornbread dressing from getting gummy? ›

Stir occasionally to ensure even drying. And if your dressing is still too mushy after baking, you can add more crumbled cornbread, dry bread, or even dry breadcrumbs or croutons to absorb excess moisture. Mix it in gently, so you don't compress the dressing too much.

Why is my cornbread dressing still wet in middle? ›

If the stuffing came out too wet and soggy (aka bread soup!) try not to over mix it, otherwise it'll turn into mush. Curtis Stone says to pour it on a large sheet tray and spread it out. Bake it on high heat to crisp it up, but make sure it doesn't burn.

How long will cornbread dressing last in the refrigerator? ›

Stuffing/dressing: If stored properly in the fridge, stuffing or dressing is good to eat up to three to four days after you cooked it. But it'll last about a month in the freezer.

Can you leave cornbread out overnight for dressing? ›

Be sure to leave enough time — the cornbread needs to sit out overnight to harden slightly before you make the dressing.

Is it better to use broth or stock for dressing? ›

You can use either stock or broth for keeping dressing moist or as a basis for gravy, but a strong flavor will give you better results.

Is it OK to make cornbread dressing ahead of time? ›

You can refrigerate the cornbread dressing in an airtight container if you want to use it within the next three to four days. Before refrigerating, make sure to let it cool to room temperature.

How wet should dressing be before baking? ›

You want your stuffing moist but not soggy and certainly not dry. The bread in the stuffing absorbs moisture, but if it's dry (as it should be, see above), it takes some time for the liquid to settle in. I suggest adding a little at a time, say 1 cup of broth for every 4 cups of dry mix.

How can you tell if dressing is done? ›

The cornbread dressing is done cooking when it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. You can also check for doneness by gently pressing down on the center of the cornbread dressing with a spoon or fork – it should feel firm and hold its shape.

Why put egg in dressing? ›

Eggs add richness to the stuffing, and makes it cohere better. I'd use two eggs per pound of bread. I'm a no egg person - and I still stuff the bird (but also do a batch out of the bird). me, too, Chem - I make a boatload of dressing (we never stuff the bird) specifically so I have leftovers to eat with gravy.

Should you put an egg in stuffing? ›

Eggs: Two lightly beaten eggs help hold the dressing together and add moisture. Water: You can add a few tablespoons of water, if you'd like, to achieve your desired consistency. Seasonings: This turkey dressing recipe is seasoned with salt, pepper, rubbed sage, and garlic powder.

Can you freeze leftover cornbread dressing? ›

Yes, you can freeze dressing in advance of the Thanksgiving feast. There are two ways to go about it: You can prepare the recipe up until the point of baking, then freeze. Or bake the dressing according to the recipe, allow it to cool completely, and freeze.

Can you freeze uncooked cornbread dressing? ›

Freeze cornbread dressing for long-term storage. You can either wrap it tightly in aluminum foil and plastic wrap or store it in a freezer-safe container. If stored properly, it can be kept in the freezer for one to two months. How long can uncooked corn bread dressing last before cooking?

Can you put uncooked dressing in the refrigerator? ›

USDA recommends that you never refrigerate uncooked stuffing. Why? Remember, stuffing can harbor bacteria, and though bacteria grow slower in the refrigerator they can cause problems because stuffing is a good medium for bacteria growth, therefore a higher risk food in terms of cooking safely.

What is the difference between cornbread stuffing and cornbread dressing? ›

So stuffing is cooked inside the bird. Dressing is cooked outside the bird, usually in a casserole dish.

Is cornbread stuffing the same as cornbread dressing? ›

The primary difference between stuffing and dressing is that stuffing is cooked inside a bird and dressing is made on the side.

What is cornbread dressing made of? ›

Add sautéed onion and celery to the crumbled cornbread. Stir in chicken stock, eggs, sage, salt, and pepper until well combined. Pour dressing into the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until dressing just starts to turn golden brown around the edges, about 30 minutes.

Is cornbread dressing the same as stuffing? ›

But for the Thanksgiving side dish in the South, the term dressing was adopted in place of stuffing, which was viewed as a crude term, during the Victorian era. Although dressing and stuffing are interchangeable terms, the signature ingredient of this Thanksgiving side dish in the South is cornbread.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Edmund Hettinger DC

Last Updated:

Views: 5696

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Edmund Hettinger DC

Birthday: 1994-08-17

Address: 2033 Gerhold Pine, Port Jocelyn, VA 12101-5654

Phone: +8524399971620

Job: Central Manufacturing Supervisor

Hobby: Jogging, Metalworking, Tai chi, Shopping, Puzzles, Rock climbing, Crocheting

Introduction: My name is Edmund Hettinger DC, I am a adventurous, colorful, gifted, determined, precious, open, colorful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.