Description
Southern comfort calls for Paula Deen’s legendary cornbread dressing, blending hearty herbs and savory spices into a classic holiday masterpiece. Home cooks will savor this comforting side dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup self-rising cornmeal
- ½ cup self-rising flour
- 7 eggs (5 for dressing, 2 for cornbread)
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 7 slices oven-dried white bread
Bread and Cracker Base:
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers (crushed)
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 8 tablespoons butter (melted)
- 2 cups celery (chopped)
- 1 large onion (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon salt (to taste)
- 1 teaspoon sage (optional)
- 1 tablespoon poultry seasoning (optional)
- Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
Additional Ingredients:
- ¾ cup buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Craft a perfectly seasoned cornbread foundation by blending self-rising cornmeal, self-rising flour, buttermilk, eggs, and vegetable oil into a smooth batter.
- Transfer the cornbread mixture into a well-greased shallow baking pan, creating a golden platform for the dressing. Bake until the surface turns a warm, inviting golden brown, approximately 20-25 minutes.
- Allow the cornbread to cool completely, then meticulously crumble it into a spacious mixing bowl, creating a rustic base for the Southern-style dressing.
- Enhance the cornbread foundation by incorporating crumbled white bread slices and crushed saltine crackers, adding layers of texture and depth to the mixture.
- In a skillet, gently melt butter over medium heat, then introduce finely chopped celery and onion. Sauté until the vegetables become translucent and release their aromatic essence, approximately 5-10 minutes.
- Stream the sautéed vegetables over the cornbread mixture, creating a harmonious blend of flavors. Pour in rich chicken stock and thoroughly integrate the ingredients.
- Elevate the seasoning profile by carefully adding salt, pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning, ensuring a balanced and memorable taste experience.
- Whisk eggs until they reach a uniform consistency, then fold them into the dressing mixture, binding all components together with a silky texture.
- Transfer the prepared mixture into a generously greased baking dish, smoothing the surface for even cooking.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F, allowing the dressing to transform into a golden, perfectly set masterpiece that celebrates Southern culinary traditions, roughly 45-60 minutes.
Notes
- Combining multiple bread types like cornbread, white bread, and saltine crackers creates a unique texture and deeper flavor profile.
- Sautéing vegetables in butter before mixing helps release their natural sweetness and develops a more complex taste in the dressing.
- Seasoning with sage and poultry seasoning provides classic Southern comfort food aromatics that elevate the entire dish.
- Eggs act as a binding agent, helping the dressing hold together and creating a smooth, custard-like consistency when baked.
- This versatile recipe works perfectly as a Thanksgiving side dish or can be enjoyed year-round with roasted meats and poultry.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg