Name: Southern Cornbread Dressing: Grandma's Flawless Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 pound ground pork sausage; 1 cup chopped onion; 1 cup chopped celery; 1/2 cup butter; 12 cups crumbled cornbread; 2 cups white bread cubes; 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon dried sage; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 3 cups chicken broth; 2 large eggs, beaten

Jump to Recipe

Holidays down South? Whew, that means family, football, and a table *groaning* with food. And you KNOW that table ain’t complete without a big ol’ pan of Southern Cornbread Dressing. It’s just… tradition! My grandma’s recipe is a classic for a reason: it’s bursting with flavor, surprisingly easy to make (even I can do it!), and always a crowd-pleaser. Trust me, this isn’t some fancy-schmancy dressing; it’s real, honest-to-goodness comfort food. I’ve been making this Southern Cornbread Dressing for years, tweaking it just a bit to get it *perfect*. And now, I’m sharing all my secrets with you!

Why You’ll Love This Southern Cornbread Dressing

Classic Southern Comfort

Okay, y’all, this isn’t just dressing; it’s a hug on a plate! That savory sausage, the hint of sage… mmm! It’s pure Southern comfort food, plain and simple. Seriously, one bite and you’re transported right back to Grandma’s kitchen.

Perfect for Holiday Gatherings

Thanksgiving? Christmas? Heck, even Easter! This Southern Cornbread Dressing is *always* a hit. It feeds a crowd and everyone raves about it. Make a big batch, ’cause it disappears fast!

Simple and Straightforward Recipe

Don’t let “dressing” intimidate you. This recipe is seriously easy. I’ve broken it down step-by-step, so even if you’re a beginner cook, you can nail it. Trust me!

Ingredients for Authentic Southern Cornbread Dressing

Alright, let’s talk ingredients! This ain’t the time to skimp. We’re going for *authentic* Southern Cornbread Dressing here, so grab the good stuff. You’ll need:

1 pound ground pork sausage (more on that in a sec!)
1 cup chopped onion (yellow or white, your call!)
1 cup chopped celery (gotta have that crunch!)
1/2 cup butter (yes, real butter!)
12 cups crumbled cornbread (the *star* of the show!)
2 cups white bread cubes (helps with the texture, trust me)
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning (don’t skip this!)
1/2 teaspoon dried sage (that classic Southern flavor!)
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (freshly ground, if you’re fancy)
1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste, y’all know your salt!)
3 cups chicken broth (homemade is best, but store-bought works too)
2 large eggs, beaten (to bind it all together)

The Importance of Good Cornbread

Listen up! The cornbread is EVERYTHING. Seriously. It’s the base of this whole operation. You can use your favorite cornbread recipe (mine’s a secret!), or even a store-bought one if you’re in a pinch. Just make sure it’s good quality!

Sausage Selection for Your Southern Cornbread Dressing

Now, about that sausage… I usually go for a regular ground pork sausage, but you can get creative! Mild? Spicy? It’s up to you! Just brown it up real good before you add it to the mix. Oh, and drain off that extra grease – nobody wants a greasy dressing!

How to Make Southern Cornbread Dressing: Step-by-Step Instructions

Okay, here’s where the magic happens! Don’t worry, it’s easier than you think. Just follow these steps and you’ll be golden. I promise!

Preparing the Sausage and Vegetables

First things first, preheat that oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Now, in a big ol’ skillet, brown your sausage over medium heat. Make sure to crumble it up as it cooks. Once it’s browned, drain off any extra grease (nobody likes a soggy dressing!). Then, add your chopped onion, celery, and butter to the skillet and cook until they’re softened, about 5 minutes or so. You want the onions to be translucent, not burnt!

Combining the Ingredients for Your Southern Cornbread Dressing

Grab a HUGE bowl – you’ll need it! Toss in your crumbled cornbread, bread cubes, poultry seasoning, sage, pepper, and salt. Mix it all together real good. Then, pour in that sausage and veggie mixture. Stir it all up until it’s evenly distributed. Now, add the chicken broth and beaten eggs. Mix, mix, mix until everything is nice and moist. Not soupy, just moist, ya know?

Baking Your Southern Cornbread Dressing to Perfection

Pour that beautiful mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Now, pop it in the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until it’s golden brown on top and set in the middle. You can stick a toothpick in the center to check – it should come out clean (or with just a few moist crumbs). Let it cool a bit before serving… if you can wait that long!

Tips for the Best Southern Cornbread Dressing

Want to take your Southern Cornbread Dressing from good to *amazing*? Here’s a few tricks I’ve learned over the years. First, use homemade chicken broth if you can – it makes a HUGE difference! Also, don’t be afraid to adjust the seasonings to your taste. A little extra sage? Go for it! And if your dressing seems dry, just add a bit more chicken broth. Nobody likes dry dressing!

Southern Cornbread Dressing Variations

Okay, so you’ve got the basic recipe down? Awesome! Now, let’s get a little crazy! Feel free to experiment with this Southern Cornbread Dressing. Wanna add some kick? Throw in some chopped jalapeños! How about some cranberries for a little sweetness? Or maybe some pecans for a nutty crunch? Oh! And don’t even get me started on different herbs! Rosemary? Thyme? The possibilities are endless! Trust me, it’s hard to mess this up, so have fun with it!

Serving Suggestions for Your Southern Cornbread Dressing

Alright, so you’ve got this amazing Southern Cornbread Dressing… now what do you serve with it? Well, duh, turkey! But seriously, it goes great with just about any roasted meat. Ham? Chicken? You name it! And don’t forget the gravy! Oh, and some cranberry sauce for a little sweet and tangy action. Mmm, my mouth’s waterin’ just thinkin’ about it!

Storing and Reheating Southern Cornbread Dressing

Leftovers? If you’re lucky enough to *have* leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days. To reheat, just pop it in the microwave or the oven until it’s warmed through. If it seems a little dry, add a splash of chicken broth. Easy peasy!

Frequently Asked Questions About Southern Cornbread Dressing

Can I make Southern Cornbread Dressing ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, I often do! Just prepare the dressing as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover it tightly and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time. Easy peasy!

What can I substitute for sausage in this Southern Cornbread Dressing recipe?

Not a sausage fan? No problem! You can totally swap it out for ground turkey or even ground chicken. Or, for a vegetarian option, try using some sautéed mushrooms and pecans. It’ll still be delicious, I promise!

How do I prevent my Southern Cornbread Dressing from being dry?

Dry dressing is a major bummer! To keep your Southern Cornbread Dressing nice and moist, make sure you don’t overbake it. And if it seems a little dry before you even put it in the oven, add a splash more chicken broth. Also, using day-old cornbread can help absorb moisture better!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Southern Cornbread Dressing

Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m no nutritionist, but each serving is *roughly* around 350 calories. It’s got fat, carbs, protein… the whole shebang! Just remember, it’s an estimate, y’all!

Enjoy Your Delicious Southern Cornbread Dressing!

Alright, y’all! Go on and make this Southern Cornbread Dressing! Then, come back here and tell me what you think! Rate the recipe, leave a comment, share it with your friends… let’s spread that Southern love!