Name: Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 1 h 45 min
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 1 cup yellow cornmeal; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon baking powder; 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt; 2 large eggs, lightly beaten; 1 stick (1/2 cup) unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup whole buttermilk; 1 (14 ounce) bag herb-seasoned stuffing, such as Pepperidge Farm; 2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, divided; 2 cups finely chopped sweet onion; 1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery; 5 cups chicken or turkey stock; 5 large eggs, lightly beaten; 2 teaspoons dried sage; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

If you’re hunting for a comforting, crowd-pleasing holiday side dish, I can’t recommend this Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe enough. This recipe is a family heirloom that’s buttery, savory, and packed with just the right blend of herbs and textures. When I first made it, I quickly understood why my grandma’s cornbread dressing was always the highlight of the meal—trust me, you’re going to want to make it a staple in your kitchen too!

💚

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Classic Southern Flavor: This recipe perfectly captures the authentic taste of traditional Southern cornbread dressing.
Perfect Texture: You’ll get that ideal balance of moist and crumbly that makes every bite irresistible.
Family-Approved: Passed down through generations, it’s a guaranteed hit at your holiday table.
Easy to Make: Even if you’re new to dressing, this recipe walks you through it with simple steps for success.

The image shows a white rectangular baking dish filled with a crumbly golden brown casserole. The top layer is unevenly crispy with small chunks of browned bits scattered across a rough-textured surface. Inside, there is a thick pale yellow mixture with a fluffy and moist consistency, visible where a scoop has been taken out, revealing the inner layers. The dish sits on a white marbled surface, and no utensils or other objects are present. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here work together beautifully to make a rich and flavorful dressing. I love that the herb-seasoned stuffing adds an extra savory note, and using both cornmeal and flour gives the cornbread that tender crumb that’s absolutely essential.

Yellow cornmeal: Look for a medium grind for the perfect texture in your cornbread base.
All-purpose flour: Adds structure to the cornbread so it holds together but still stays soft.
Granulated sugar: Just a touch enhances the natural sweetness of the cornmeal.
Baking powder: Vital for a light, fluffy cornbread texture.
Kosher salt: I always use kosher salt because it seasons evenly without being overpowering.
Eggs: Lightly beaten eggs bind everything and add richness.
Unsalted butter: Melted butter both in the cornbread and sautéing veggies adds that signature buttery flavor.
Whole buttermilk: This tangy ingredient tenderizes and adds a subtle depth to the cornbread.
Herb-seasoned stuffing mix: I swear by Pepperidge Farm for ready-made, but feel free to use your favorite brand.
Sweet onion: Finely chopped for savoriness and a gentle sweetness.
Celery: Adds crunch and fresh, herbal notes.
Chicken or turkey stock: The key to moist dressing – use homemade if you can!
Dried sage: Essential Southern herb that brings warm, earthy flavor.
Freshly cracked black pepper: Brightens the whole dish – add according to your taste.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

I like to mix things up sometimes, and this Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe is fantastic when you personalize it to your liking. Don’t be shy about swapping ingredients or trying new flavors that suit your family or dietary preferences.

Vegetarian Version: I’ve replaced chicken stock with vegetable stock and skipped the butter for olive oil a few times—still rich and totally delicious.
Add Sausage: If you want a heartier dish, browning some breakfast sausage before sautéing the onions and celery adds incredible flavor and depth.
Spiced Up: Adding a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika gives the dressing a subtle kick I love for casual dinners.
Make It Gluten-Free: Using a gluten-free stuffing mix and flour substitute works well without sacrificing that classic flavor.

How to Make Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Step 1: Make the Cornbread Base

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt. Beat in the eggs, melted butter, and buttermilk until everything is just combined. Pour this batter into a greased 9×9-inch baking dish and bake for about 20–25 minutes until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. I like to let it cool while I prep the rest—this helps it soak up all those good flavors later.

Step 2: Sauté the Veggies and Butter

While the cornbread bakes, melt 1 stick of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped sweet onion and celery, cooking until soft and translucent—about 6 to 8 minutes. This step is where the dressing builds its incredible savory foundation, so don’t rush it!

Step 3: Combine Cornbread and Stuffing

Once the cornbread has cooled, crumble it into a large mixing bowl. Add the entire bag of herb-seasoned stuffing and toss together. Then pour in the sautéed veggies with that flavorful butter and mix again. Your dressing mixture should start looking hearty and textured now.

Step 4: Add Stock, Eggs, and Seasoning

Pour in the 5 cups of chicken or turkey stock, stirring gently to moisten all the bread and stuffing evenly. Beat in 5 large eggs, dried sage, and season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste. I always go a little lighter on salt at first—I’d rather you add more at the end if needed. Mix gently until just combined.

Step 5: Bake Your Dressing

Transfer the entire mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish. Dot the top with the remaining 1 stick of butter in small chunks. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 45–60 minutes, until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp, and the inside is cooked through. That butter on top melts and browns beautifully—it’s magic, trust me.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Don’t Overmix the Batter: When making the cornbread, mix just until combined to keep it tender and fluffy.
Use Homemade Stock if Possible: I learned that homemade chicken stock adds an unbeatable depth of flavor you won’t get from store-bought.
Cool Cornbread Before Crumbling: This helps prevent the dressing from becoming soggy while absorbing the stock and eggs perfectly.
Butter Placement Matters: Dotting the top with butter chunks gives a beautiful golden crust and richer flavor—don’t skip it!

How to Serve Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe

The image shows a white baking dish filled with a golden brown crumble topping that is crumbly and textured. A silver spoon lifts a scoop of the crumble, showing a mix of soft, moist pieces underneath the crunchy top layer. The crumble has small pieces of light yellow and tan colors mixed throughout, with some browned edges for a crispy look. The dish and spoon are set on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I love to sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top before serving—it adds a fresh, bright pop of color and flavor. Sometimes, I’ll add a few crispy fried sage leaves for a little extra Southern charm. Both look beautiful and taste amazing.

Side Dishes

This Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing pairs perfectly with roasted turkey, glazed ham, or garlic mashed potatoes. My family also likes it alongside collard greens and cranberry sauce to round out the meal. It’s the ultimate comfort food team player!

Creative Ways to Present

For holidays, I like to bake this dressing in small ramekins for individual servings—it makes dinner feel extra special and festive. Another fun twist is to mix in some toasted pecans or crispy bacon bits on top just before serving for added texture and flavor surprise!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover dressing stores beautifully in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. I always label mine to keep track because it disappears FAST around here. When storing, try to press the surface lightly to limit air exposure and keep it moist.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftover cornbread dressing in portion-sized freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. It keeps well for up to 3 months. Just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for best results.

Reheating

I reheat leftover dressing covered with foil in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes until warmed through. This preserves that crispy top layer while ensuring the inside is nice and moist—no rubbery texture here!

FAQs

Can I make this Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing recipe ahead of time?

Yes! You can prepare the dressing mixture a day ahead and refrigerate it, then bake it just before serving. This saves time on busy holidays without compromising flavor.
What can I substitute if I don’t have buttermilk?

If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of whole milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using—that tangy acidity gives the same tenderizing effect.
Can I use cornbread from a box instead of making it from scratch?

You can, but homemade cornbread really elevates the dressing’s flavor and texture. If you do use boxed cornbread, try to enhance it with a little extra butter and sugar to balance it out.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving turkey leftovers?

Absolutely! Leftover turkey stock or even small bits of turkey meat stirred in can make this Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing even more special. It’s a great way to use up any holiday extras.
How do I know when the dressing is done baking?

It’s ready when the top is golden and crisp, and a knife inserted near the center comes out mostly clean (a few moist crumbs are fine). Baking times can vary slightly depending on your oven and dish size.

Final Thoughts

This Southern-Style Cornbread Dressing Recipe has a warm place in my heart, and I hope it will in yours too. It’s the kind of dish that brings family to the table, sparks conversations, and invites seconds (and thirds!). Once you make it, you’ll see why we keep coming back for more. Give it a try—you might just find your new favorite holiday tradition.