Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is the heart and soul of Southern holiday gatherings—rich, savory, and bursting with nostalgic flavor. This glorious dish combines rustic cornbread, day-old white bread, aromatic herbs, and sautéed vegetables to create a savory masterpiece everyone races to the table for. With every bite, you can taste the love and tradition passed down through generations. Whether you’re starring it for Thanksgiving or simply craving cozy comfort, Mama’s Cornbread Dressing truly embodies home-cooked goodness at its absolute best.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients for Mama’s Cornbread Dressing are humble kitchen classics, but together they transform into pure Southern comfort. Each item plays an important role, lending its own touch—flavor, texture, moisture, or heartiness—to this legendary side.
- Crumbled cornbread (6 cups): The foundation of flavor and texture, giving that signature Southern essence.
- Day-old white bread (4 cups, torn): Adds tender softness and helps hold all the savory goodness together without turning mushy.
- Onion (1 medium, finely chopped): Brings gentle sweetness and aromatic depth to the dressing.
- Celery (2 stalks, finely chopped): Lends crunch and classic holiday flavor—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter (1/2 cup): Makes everything beautifully rich and helps the veggies soften perfectly.
- Poultry seasoning (2 teaspoons): A must for that nostalgic, homey taste that signals “holiday.”
- Dried sage (1 teaspoon): Elevates the earthy notes, making the aroma comforting and distinctively Southern.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances every flavor and ties the ingredients together.
- Black pepper (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a gentle warmth and slight peppery edge.
- Chicken or turkey broth (3 to 4 cups): The magic that keeps everything moist and flavorful—homemade is a real treat here!
- Eggs (2 large, beaten): The binding force that creates that classic, slightly custardy texture.
How to Make Mama’s Cornbread Dressing
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Dish and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish with a little butter or nonstick spray. This ensures your Mama’s Cornbread Dressing bakes evenly and releases easily later—nobody wants to lose a single bite!
Step 2: Sauté the Aromatics
Grab a large skillet and melt your unsalted butter over medium heat. Toss in the chopped onion and celery, and sauté for about 8–10 minutes until they become soft, fragrant, and just starting to turn golden. This step sets the flavor base for the entire dish.
Step 3: Mix the Breads and Veggies
In your biggest mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread and torn white bread. Pour in the sautéed mixture of onion and celery, sprinkle over the poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and black pepper. Use a big spoon (or your clean hands!) to gently mix everything until all the lovely flavors are distributed.
Step 4: Add Liquid and Bind Everything
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with 3 cups of chicken or turkey broth. Pour this over your bread mixture and fold gently until everything is moist but not soggy. Add up to 1 cup more broth as needed—Mama’s Cornbread Dressing should be moist enough to hold together but never soupy!
Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection
Spoon your dressing mixture into the prepared baking dish and smooth the top. Bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top turns a lovely golden brown and the center is set. Let the dressing cool for a few minutes before serving, so the flavors can settle and slices hold together beautifully.
How to Serve Mama’s Cornbread Dressing
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley, a dusting of extra sage, or a few grinds of black pepper on top adds visual flair and a pop of freshness. You could even scatter a few sautéed celery leaves for an extra-special touch!
Side Dishes
Mama’s Cornbread Dressing shines next to classics like roasted turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, and green beans. For a show-stopping Southern plate, add collard greens, mashed potatoes, or creamed corn. Each bite brings the flavors of home together harmoniously.
Creative Ways to Present
For a cozy feel, bake and serve the dressing in individual ramekins. Or, cut squares and stack them neatly on a platter, garnished with herbs. Even try using leftovers as a base for a savory breakfast casserole or a stuffing-stuffed mushroom appetizer!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Any leftover Mama’s Cornbread Dressing stores beautifully. Simply cover the cooled baking dish tightly with foil or transfer leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3–4 days. The flavors only deepen overnight, so leftovers are truly a treat.
Freezing
To freeze, let the dressing cool completely before wrapping tightly in plastic wrap and foil, or placing in a freezer-safe container. Mama’s Cornbread Dressing freezes well for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
Warm leftover portions in a 350°F oven, covered loosely with foil to keep them moist, until heated through (about 20 minutes for a dish, 5–8 minutes for individual portions). If needed, sprinkle with a little extra broth to revive moisture before reheating.
FAQs
Can I make Mama’s Cornbread Dressing ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the dressing up to the point before baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bring to room temperature before popping it in the oven, adding a splash of broth if it looks dry.
What’s the best cornbread for this recipe?
Use your favorite homemade, unsweetened cornbread for the richest flavor and best texture. If you’re short on time, store-bought cornbread works too, but day-old is best for soaking up all the savory juices.
Can I add meat to Mama’s Cornbread Dressing?
Definitely! Crumbled cooked sausage or diced cooked turkey are popular additions for extra heartiness. Just stir them in with the sautéed vegetables before assembling the dressing.
Is it possible to make this dressing vegetarian?
Of course! Simply swap the chicken or turkey broth with high-quality vegetable broth, ensuring you maintain that deep, savory flavor. Everything else in Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is meat-free.
What if my dressing turns out too dry or too wet?
If it’s too dry, stir in extra broth a few tablespoons at a time before baking, or drizzle some on top and bake covered for a few extra minutes. If it’s too wet, bake uncovered a bit longer until the top is golden and set.
Final Thoughts
If you’re searching for a dish that brings people together and fills the house with warmth, you simply have to try Mama’s Cornbread Dressing. There’s a reason families request it year after year—the flavor, coziness, and soul-satisfying bite just can’t be matched. Gather your favorite people, pull out the big mixing bowl, and share in the tradition and joy this fabulous dressing inspires!
Print
Mama’s Cornbread Dressing Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Description
Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is a classic Southern side dish that is perfect for holiday meals. This recipe combines the flavors of cornbread, white bread, aromatic vegetables, and savory seasonings to create a delicious and comforting dish that pairs well with turkey, ham, or roast chicken.
Ingredients
Cornbread:
- 6 cups crumbled cornbread
White Bread:
- 4 cups day-old white bread, torn into small pieces
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
Seasonings:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried sage
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Additional:
- 3 to 4 cups chicken or turkey broth
- 2 large eggs, beaten
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sauté vegetables: In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and celery, and sauté until tender, about 8–10 minutes.
- Mix ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread and torn white bread. Add the sautéed vegetables, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Prepare egg mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and 3 cups of broth. Pour the egg mixture over the bread mixture and gently stir until well combined. Add more broth as needed until the dressing is moist but not soupy.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake for 45–55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
- Cool and serve: Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can make the cornbread and tear the white bread a day ahead for better texture.
- For extra flavor, use homemade chicken or turkey broth.
- Add cooked, crumbled sausage or shredded turkey for a heartier version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 510mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
