Paula Deen’s Down-Home Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

Southern kitchens buzz with anticipation when Paula Deen’s cornbread dressing hits the table.

This classic recipe weaves comfort and tradition into every savory bite.

Generations have cherished the rich, hearty flavors that dance across your palate.

Tender cornbread mingles with herbs and seasonings, creating a symphony of Southern comfort.

Fragrant and warm, this dressing embodies the soul of home-cooked meals.

Each forkful tells a story of culinary heritage and love.

Dive into this timeless recipe that promises to become your new holiday favorite.

Tools You’ll Use for Cornbread Dressing

• Large Mixing Bowl: Essential for combining cornbread ingredients and mixing dressing.
• Shallow Baking Dish: Perfect for baking cornbread and final dressing.
• Large Skillet: Ideal for sautéing vegetables in butter.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Whisk or Fork: Needed for beating eggs and mixing ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Great for chopping celery and onions.
• Sharp Knife: Required for precise vegetable chopping.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Helpful for stirring and mixing ingredients.

Paula Deen’s Cornbread Dressing Instructions

• Cornbread Foundation

Crumble homemade cornbread into a spacious mixing container, creating a rustic base for the traditional Southern dressing. The crumbly texture will help absorb delicious flavors.

• Veggie Sauté

Heat butter in a skillet, gently cooking diced onions and celery until they become translucent and release their aromatic sweetness. These vegetables will infuse the dressing with rich, hearty notes.

• Flavor Harmony

Blend sautéed vegetables with cornbread crumbles, then introduce chicken stock to moisten the mixture. Sprinkle sage, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper to create a symphony of Southern flavors.

• Egg Binding

Whisk eggs and fold them into the dressing mixture, ensuring a creamy, cohesive texture that will hold the dish together during baking.

• Golden Bake

Transfer the dressing to a prepared baking dish and slide it into a preheated oven. Bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the interior reaches a perfect, moist consistency.

Flavor Enhancements for Southern Cornbread Dressing

• Bread Base Magic: Experiment with different bread types like sourdough or day-old French bread to add unique texture and flavor depth to your dressing.
• Herbs and Spice Boost: Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary can elevate the traditional sage profile, giving your dressing a bright, aromatic twist that surprises guests.
• Make-Ahead Convenience: Prepare the cornbread and toast bread slices a day before assembling the dressing, which helps ingredients meld together and intensifies overall taste.
• Moisture Master Trick: If the mixture seems dry, gradually add extra chicken stock or even a splash of turkey drippings to maintain perfect creamy consistency without becoming soggy.
• Regional Protein Twist: Fold in crumbled cooked breakfast sausage or crispy bacon pieces for a Southern-style protein boost that transforms the classic dressing into a complete meal component.

How to Present Cornbread Dressing at the Table

• Holiday Feast Companion: Pair this hearty cornbread dressing with roasted turkey or honey-glazed ham for a classic Southern holiday meal.
• Comfort Food Upgrade: Serve alongside crispy roasted chicken or as a delicious side dish for your Sunday family dinner, creating warm memories around the table.
• Leftover Magic Maker: Transform extra dressing into crispy breakfast patties by forming small cakes and pan-frying until golden, perfect with a fried egg on top.
• Flavor Booster Option: Drizzle warm turkey gravy over the top of the dressing or sprinkle fresh chopped herbs like parsley or chives for an extra burst of freshness and color.

Meal Planning with Paula Deen’s Cornbread Dressing

• Smart Storage Solutions
• Refrigerator Refresh: Store leftover dressing in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or sealed lid to maintain moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
• Freeze for Future Feasts: Wrap individual portions or entire dish in freezer-safe containers. Dressing keeps quality for 1-2 months when properly sealed. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Magic: Warm dressing in oven at 350°F, covered with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Add small splash of chicken broth to restore original creamy texture. Heat until internal temperature reaches 165°F for food safety.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare dressing components 1-2 days before final baking. Keep cornbread mixture and vegetable sauté separately refrigerated. Combine and bake just before serving to maintain optimal taste and texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients in Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Dressing

• Self-Rising Cornmeal: Provides the classic Southern cornbread foundation with a rich, golden texture and authentic flavor.
• Self-Rising Flour: Adds lightness and helps bind the cornbread with a soft, tender crumb.
• White Bread Slices: Creates additional moisture and helps achieve a perfect dressing consistency.
• Saltine Crackers: Adds delightful crunch and helps absorb liquid for a balanced texture.

• Onion, Celery: Builds a deep, savory flavor profile with classic Southern vegetable aromatics that enhance the entire dish.

• Buttermilk: Tenderizes the cornbread and adds a subtle tangy richness to the dressing.
• Vegetable Oil: Ensures a moist, tender cornbread base with a smooth mixing quality.
• Chicken Stock: Infuses rich, savory flavor and provides necessary moisture for the dressing.
• Eggs: Acts as a crucial binding agent that helps hold the dressing together and creates a custardy texture.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Fundamental seasonings that balance and elevate the overall flavor profile.
• Sage: Adds a classic, earthy herb note traditional in Southern dressing.
• Poultry Seasoning: Brings a complex blend of herbs that complement the savory ingredients.

Hearty Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s southern cornbread dressing melds traditional Southern flavors with rich, comforting ingredients. Southern kitchens cherish this classic holiday side dish that brings warmth and nostalgia to family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 7 eggs (5 for dressing, 2 for cornbread)
• 7 cups chicken stock
• 8 tbsps butter (melted)
• 1 cup self-rising cornmeal
• ½ cup self-rising flour
• 7 slices oven-dried white bread
• 2 cups celery (chopped)
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 1 sleeve saltine crackers (crushed)
• ¾ cup buttermilk
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt (to taste)
• 1 tsp sage (optional)
• 1 tbsp poultry seasoning (optional)
• Freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

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Instructions

1. Cornbread Creation: Combine self-rising cornmeal, self-rising flour, buttermilk, eggs, and vegetable oil into a smooth batter. Pour into a well-greased shallow baking pan and bake until golden brown, about 20-25 minutes.
2. Bread Preparation: Once cornbread cools completely, crumble it into a large mixing bowl. Add crumbled white bread slices and crushed saltine crackers to create a textured base.
3. Vegetable Sauté: In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté finely chopped celery and onion until translucent and fragrant, approximately 5-10 minutes.
4. Flavor Infusion: Pour sautéed vegetables over the cornbread mixture. Add chicken stock and season with salt, pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
5. Binding and Assembly: Whisk eggs and fold into the dressing mixture, creating a cohesive texture. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing the surface for uniform cooking.
6. Final Baking: Place in a preheated oven at 350°F and bake for 45-60 minutes, allowing the dressing to set and develop a golden, crispy top that captures the essence of Southern comfort food.

Notes

• Master Cornbread Base: Create a crisp, golden cornbread using precise measurements of self-rising cornmeal and flour for authentic Southern texture.
• Vegetable Sauté Secret: Cook celery and onions slowly to release deep, rich flavors that infuse the entire dressing with aromatic warmth.
• Seasoning Balance: Blend sage, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper carefully to achieve a harmonious flavor profile that represents traditional Southern cooking.
• Binding Technique: Whisk eggs thoroughly and fold gently into the mixture to ensure a creamy, cohesive dressing without over-mixing or creating dense pockets.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 210
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg