There’s nothin’ quite like a Thanksgiving feast piled high with all the fixin’s. But let’s be honest, the true star of the show for many folks down South is the cornbread dressing. This savory, soul-warming side dish takes humble ingredients and transforms them into a flavor explosion that perfectly complements your roast turkey.
This recipe is a classic Southern rendition, passed down through generations. It’s simple to follow, even for beginner cooks, and yields a moist, flavorful dressing that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and thirds!).
Gatherin’ Up Your Ingredients:
For the Cornbread:
1 cup yellow cornmeal
For the Dressing:
6 cups crumbled cornbread (use leftover cornbread or follow the recipe above)
Let’s Get Cookin’:
1. Bake the Cornbread (if you haven’t already): Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, combine the buttermilk and eggs. Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, whisking until just combined. Don’t overmix! Stir in the melted butter. Pour the batter into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cornbread cool completely before crumbling it.
2. Prep the Bread: If your bread isn’t already stale, you can dry it out by spreading the cubes on a baking sheet and placing them in a low oven (around 200°F) for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re dry but not toasted.
3. Sauté the Veggies: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt half of the butter. Add the chopped onion and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes, or until softened and translucent. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Assemble the Dressing: In a large bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread, cubed bread, sautéed vegetables, sage, and thyme. In a separate bowl, whisk together the chicken broth and eggs. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix gently until everything is well combined. Be careful not to overmix, or your dressing will become mushy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Bake it Up: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the dressing mixture into the prepared dish. Melt the remaining butter and drizzle it over the top of the dressing. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the dressing is golden brown and cooked through.
6. Let it Rest and Serve: Remove the dressing from the oven and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and for the dressing to set slightly. Spoon it onto plates and enjoy alongside your Thanksgiving feast!
Nutritional Facts (per serving):
This recipe yields approximately 12 servings. Please note that these are just estimates, and the actual nutritional content will vary depending on the specific ingredients you use.
Calories: 400
