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    Soulfully Made » Sides » Easy Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    Easy Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    Nikki Lee Published:November 7, 2022 | Updated: November 8, 2022

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

    Recipe Save Saved!
    A white pan full of thanksgiving dressing set on a wooden board.
    A pan of cornbread dressing scooped out with silver serving spoon.
    A white pan full of thanksgiving dressing set on a wooden board.
    A pan of cornbread dressing scooped out with silver serving spoon.

    Easy Cornbread Dressing is moist and deliciously seasoned with onions, celery, broth, and savory herbs. Looking for the perfect cornbread stuffing recipe for your holiday meal? This classic is served on our Thanksgiving & Christmas tables every year.

    This recipe is a simple semi-homemade dressing recipe using easy staple ingredients along with a few fresh ingredients. It's just as delicious as the homemade cornbread version with a little less work.

    A pan full of a simple cornbread dressing garnished with parsley.

    Why We Love This Recipe!

    • EASY RECIPE: This Turkey Dressing Recipe is so easy and foolproof. It is full of delicious flavors and it’s sure to please.
    • SIMPLE INGREDIENTS: A few simple ingredients and you have an amazing southern cornbread dressing on the holiday table.

    With Thanksgiving quickly approaching, I realized I had not yet shared my mom's easy dressing recipe with you all. It really has all the flavors of a southern cornbread dressing without having to break out the skillet a make a cornbread recipe.

    This recipe has been used for as long as I can remember and is a tried and true recipe- a family tradition. We just can't have turkey without this Thanksgiving dressing recipe.

    My mom started a tradition of cooking with the grandkids every year a day or two before Thanksgiving. All the grandkids over the years have picked the favorites they each make. My daughter always made the dressing and actually is the one now that prepares it now for the holidays.

    This stuffing will make you think of home and feel the comfort of years gone by, plus it perfectly compliments the other holiday side dishes - and is so easy to boot.

    Key Ingredient Notes

    labeled ingredients needed for easy cornbread dressing recipe.
    • Pepperidge Farms Herbed Classic Stuffing (Blue bag): I always use this blend - it is an important component of the recipe. It really adds the texture of the dressing and adds the correct amount of herbs and flavor. If you use another bag you may have different results. This replaces the process of making bread crumbs or the need to dry out white bread for the recipe and cut them into small pieces.
    • Cornbread Stuffing Mix: I usually use the Stovetop brand in the red box, but there are other brands available. This adds the cornbread taste to the stuffing.
    • Chicken Broth or Stock: A good quality stock or broth works well. You can use homemade chicken broth you have stored or one from the store. I use the regular salted broth, but adjust this to your taste and use what you typically use in recipes as it will be what you enjoy the most.

    Variations and Substitutions

    This recipe is delicious as is, but please feel free to customize flavors to your liking.

    • Feel free to add in some protein if you like. Adding in some chicken or turkey will make this a meal in itself. Many people like crumbled sausage or even oysters in their dressing.
    • Vegetable add-ins: Stir in sauteed veggies like mushrooms, carrots, green bell peppers, or even butternut squash.
    • Fruits: Add in dried cranberries, apples, figs, cherries, or apricots for sweet additions.
    • Boiled Eggs: If you love boiled eggs in your dressing go ahead and add them in.
    • Herbs: The mixes have lots of seasoning built right in, but if you want a flavor you feel is missing go ahead and add it in. Some people like it loaded with sage for instance or some extra poultry seasoning.

    How To Make Easy Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    ✱ Be sure to see the recipe card below for exact ingredients and instructions!

    Step 1 | Preheat Oven and Prep Dish

    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter or spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish.

    Step 2 | Saute Fresh Veggies and Prep Wet Ingredients

    Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion. Cook over medium-low heat until tender. These don't need to be browned just tender.

    In a measuring cup add milk and egg and beat until combined (set aside).

    Six step-by-step images showing how to make easy cornbread dressing.

    Step 3 | Make the Cornbread Mixture

    In a large mixing bowl combine cornbread stuffing mix, herbed stuffing mix, saltine crackers, and celery and onion mixture. Stir to combine.

    Next, in a separate dish or measuring cup, add the milk and egg mixture(the binding agent), salt & pepper to your taste. 

    Then slowly pour the broth/stock over the stuffing mixture and stir until completely mixed. You want the dressing mixture to be thick and very moist. A lot of this moisture will bake out as it cooks.

    I usually use all 6 cups of broth, but you can start with 4 cups and add to desired consistency.

    Step 4 | Bake and Enjoy

    Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.

    Bake covered for 35 minutes, remove foil, and bake uncovered for another 10 to 20 minutes until golden brown and set.  Oven temperatures vary. Bake for a total of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    I hope this recipe will fill your home and heart and will become a tradition in your home as it is in ours.

    A white baking pan of stuffing on a wooden board with a red tea towel underneath and cut parsley in a bowl to the side.

    Tips

    • The mixture will seem pretty soupy when it goes into the dish. It should be very moist- otherwise, your dressing will be dry when baked.
    • If you do not like onions you can omit them or use some onion powder to replace them. You can also grate the onion with a box grater if it is a textural thing for your family.
    • When it comes to salt and pepper adjustment, you can beat the eggs (set them aside) and stir them in after you add the broth if you want to taste without the risk of consuming raw eggs.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the difference between dressing and stuffing?

    I use these terms interchangeably. I think it often is a regional difference (depending on where you live) as to what you call it. I'm a Southerner so I digress and it's southern cornbread dressing here! Mom always said- dressing is baked mostly outside of Turkey while stuffing is often baked inside. But you can hear it both ways regardless of whether it is cooked inside or outside of the bird.

    How do you fix dry dressing?

    The best way is to prevent it from becoming dry in the first place. You want to top of the dressing to be crispy and golden brown while the center is soft. So keep an eye on the cornbread stuffing and it starts covered and finishes uncovered, but if you see it getting too brown place the foil back on.
    If you find you overcooked it, you can a couple of tablespoons of melted butter and/or drizzle ¼ to ⅓ cup of warm broth poured over the dressing. Allow it to soak in and give it a taste.

    A spoon full of thanksgiving dressing removed from the baking dish.

    What to Serve with Southern Cornbread Dressing

    I may have mentioned this before but it really isn't Thanksgiving dinner without Southern Cornbread Dressing. And your Thanksgiving menu (or Christmas) isn't complete without this perfect side dish. 

    If your family is like ours, everyone contributes their favorite family recipe. We have to have delicious side recipes like creamy mashed potatoes (making them in the crock pot frees up the stovetop) with our Thanksgiving Turkey. A homemade cranberry sauce and southern collard greens (you can even make them Au Gratin Style) are must-haves as well!

    We always end the meal with pumpkin pie or banana pudding, but there are so many delicious desserts you can choose from to make on Thanksgiving Day.

    Whatever your day looks like this holiday season I hope it is filled with wonderful memories surrounded by those you love. And a full belly of course!

    Make Ahead and Storage

    Make Ahead: You can make this up to a month in advance and freeze it. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and bake as directed. It may need a few extra minutes if it starts out cold.

    You can also make it ahead and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before baking.

    Storage: Let cook completely. Cover with foil or plastic wrap or place in an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

    Freeze:  You can also place it in a freezer-safe container to store in the freezer. Wrap with freezer-safe wrap and then with foil. Take it out after 1 month to make sure it doesn’t get freezer burn.

    Reheat: To reheat individual servings, place desired amount on a microwave-safe dish and reheat. Heat in 30-second intervals until heated to your liking.

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    A white casserole dish filled with cornbread dressing.

    Easy Cornbread Dressing Recipe

    Author: Nikki Lee
    5 from 20 votes
    Easy Cornbread Dressing is moist and deliciously seasoned with onions, celery, broth, and savory herbs. Looking for the perfect cornbread stuffing recipe for your holiday meal? This classic is served on our Thanksgiving & Christmas tables every year.
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Print Save Saved! Pin Recipe Rate
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 50 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
    Course Side Dish
    Cuisine American
    Servings 10 servings
    Calories 153 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 6 tablespoons butter
    • 1 cup diced celery
    • ½ small onion, diced
    • 1 box stovetop cornbread stuffing mix
    • 1 package herb-seasoned classic stuffing mix, (Pepperidge Farms Blue Package) - not the cubes
    • ½ sleeve saltine crackers, crushed
    • 4 to 6 cups chicken stock/broth, See instructions - I usually use 6
    • 2 large eggs, beaten
    • ½ cup milk
    • salt and pepper, to taste

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter or spray a 9x13-inch casserole dish.
    • Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion. Cook over medium-low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. (You don’t want them browned just tender)
    • In a measuring cup add milk and egg and beat until combined (set aside).
    • In a large bowl combine cornbread stuffing mix, herbed stuffing mix, saltine crackers, and celery and onion mixture. Stir to combine.
    • Next add in the milk and egg mixture, salt & pepper to your taste.  Then slowly pour the broth/stock over the stuffing mixture and stir until completely mixed. You want the mix to be thick and very moist. A lot of this moisture will bake out as it cooks. I usually use all 6 cups of broth, but you can start with 4 cups and add to desired consistency.
    • Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish.
    • Bake covered for 35 minutes, remove foil, and bake uncovered for another 10 to 20 minutes until golden brown and set.  Oven temperatures vary. Bake for a total of 45 minutes to 1 hour.

    Video

    ✱ Nikki's Tips

    • The mixture will seem pretty soupy when it goes into the dish. It should be very moist- otherwise, your dressing will be dry when baked.
    • If you do not like onions you can omit them or use some onion powder to replace them. You can also grate the onion with a box grater if it is a textural thing for your family.
    • When it comes to salt and pepper adjustment, you can beat the eggs (set them aside) and stir them in after you add the broth if you want to taste without the risk of consuming raw eggs.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 serving Calories: 153 kcal Carbohydrates: 14 g Protein: 4 g Fat: 9 g Saturated Fat: 5 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g Monounsaturated Fat: 2 g Trans Fat: 0.3 g Cholesterol: 57 mg Sodium: 693 mg Potassium: 130 mg Fiber: 1 g Sugar: 2 g Vitamin A: 329 IU Vitamin C: 0.3 mg Calcium: 47 mg Iron: 1 mg

    Nutrition Disclaimer

    Soulfully Made is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    1. Mindy says

      November 19, 2022 at 6:36 pm

      5 stars
      Looks incredible! We are making this for Thanksgiving and I cannot wait!

      Reply
    2. Jules says

      November 17, 2022 at 4:43 pm

      5 stars
      This dish is so delicious and moist. It's the perfect side for our turkey day!

      Reply
    3. Jennifer says

      November 17, 2022 at 8:44 am

      5 stars
      I love cornbread dressing and always make an extra batch of cornbread to keep in my freezer for such occasions!

      Reply
    4. Amy says

      November 17, 2022 at 8:21 am

      5 stars
      This one's a classic! It's truly my favorite Thanksgiving side dish. Thanks for the great recipe!

      Reply
    5. Tristin says

      November 16, 2022 at 11:10 pm

      5 stars
      My favorite way to make stuffing!! This will be on my Thanksgiving table.

      Reply
    6. Erin says

      November 16, 2022 at 1:33 pm

      5 stars
      A Thanksgiving classic! Our whole family LOVES this!

      Reply
    7. Susannah says

      November 16, 2022 at 10:51 am

      5 stars
      This is going on my Thanksgiving menu!

      Reply
    8. Charles says

      November 15, 2022 at 2:56 pm

      5 stars
      I can smell your delicious cornbread dressing already! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    9. Kelley says

      November 15, 2022 at 2:43 pm

      5 stars
      This was the first time I've tried dressing with cornbread instead of traditional stuffing and oh my goodness was this good!

      Reply
    10. Claire says

      November 15, 2022 at 2:38 pm

      5 stars
      Great recipe. Came out really nice and not dry and tasted delicious too

      Reply
    11. Stephanie says

      November 15, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      5 stars
      This came out perfectly moist and with so much flavor! Even the kids enjoyed it. It's definitely going to be a hit at Thanksgiving.

      Reply
    12. Mirlene says

      November 15, 2022 at 2:03 pm

      5 stars
      Such a wonderful stuffing recipe. It's not dry and comes out so delicious with the seasonings. I'm ready to make this again!

      Reply
    13. Kathleen says

      November 15, 2022 at 12:43 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my goodness, reminds me of a recipe my grandma made and I lost! Thank you!

      Reply
    14. Debi says

      November 12, 2022 at 9:21 am

      This was easy to make and yummy. I made it as a test run for Thanksgiving. Seeing which stuffing I'll make!

      Reply
    15. Bri says

      November 07, 2022 at 9:16 am

      5 stars
      Yummy!

      Reply

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    Welcome Y'all!

    Hi, I am Nikki. Faith, family, and food are my passions! I'm a Southern cook from Florida who loves sharing food and creating memories around the table with my family and friends. Welcome to my Kitchen, where you will find delicious, home-cooked, easy recipes!

    About Nikki

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