Mama’s Cornbread Dressing

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing – A Southern Holiday Classic

Looking for the perfect side dish to complete your holiday table? This Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is a Southern favorite that brings warmth, comfort, and a whole lot of flavor to every family gathering.

Moist, savory, and baked to golden perfection—just like Mama used to make.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Traditional Southern recipe

Perfect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Sunday dinner

Made with simple ingredients

Easy to prep ahead and bake later

Ingredients:
For the cornbread (or use pre-made):

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tbsp baking powder

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk

¼ cup melted butter or oil

(Or use about 6–8 cups of crumbled, day-old cornbread)

For the dressing:

2 tbsp butter

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, chopped

3 cups crumbled cornbread (see above)

3 cups day-old white bread, torn into pieces

2 cups chicken or turkey broth (more if needed)

2 eggs, beaten

1 tsp poultry seasoning

½ tsp dried sage (or to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:
Make the cornbread (if not using pre-made)

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

In a large bowl, mix cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In another bowl, whisk eggs, buttermilk, and melted butter.

Combine wet and dry ingredients and pour into a greased 8-inch baking dish.

Bake for 20–25 minutes or until golden. Let cool and crumble.

Prepare the dressing

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

In a skillet, melt butter and sauté onion and celery until soft (about 5–7 minutes).

In a large bowl, combine crumbled cornbread, bread pieces, sautéed veggies, poultry seasoning, sage, salt, and pepper.

Add beaten eggs and pour in the broth gradually, mixing until moist but not soupy.

Bake

Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Remove foil and bake an additional 15–20 minutes until golden and set.

Serving Suggestions

Pair it with roast turkey, gravy, and cranberry sauce.

Great with chicken or pork chops on a weeknight.

Serve with giblet gravy for a true Southern experience.

Pro Tips

Use stale bread for best texture—it absorbs the broth without becoming mushy.

You can prep everything a day ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Adjust the seasoning to your taste—some like more sage, others less.

Variations

Add shredded chicken for a one-pan meal.

Make it vegetarian by using vegetable broth and skipping meat-based broth.

Add boiled eggs (chopped) for a traditional Southern twist.

Final Thoughts

Mama’s Cornbread Dressing is more than just a recipe—it’s a memory. Whether you’re serving it for the holidays or just craving that classic Southern comfort, this dish will make your table feel like home.