Southern Cornbread Dressing

Make your holidays memorable with my mamaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing. Made with homemade cornbread, biscuits, sage, and a few basic ingredients, this recipe is a must-have for any turkey feast!

When it comes to holiday meals, my mamaw’s old fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing is the dish I look forward to the most! Every Thanksgiving and any special occasion featuring turkey, her family recipe graces our table. The blend of cornbread, leftover biscuits, broth and savory herbs creates a masterpiece that perfectly soaks up gravy and pairs wonderfully with roasted turkey.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve watched her effortlessly whip up this classic thanksgiving dinner recipe, and now it has become a cherished part of my own cooking repertoire. It isn’t just a side dish; it’s a symbol of family love and tradition that deserves a place in every home.

It truly isn’t a happy Thanksgiving without mamaw’s southern dressing, and she’d love for it to be a part of your holiday meal. Make her Frozen Fruit Salad and Green Jello Salad to go along with all of our holiday favorites! They’re vintage favorites you’re sure to love too!

Why You’ll Like This Recipe

• Thanksgiving Side Dish Must: Just like green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, and cranberry sauce, this southern style cornbread dressing is an essential part of the Thanksgiving menu. The whole family will love it!
• Flavor-Packed: The combination of crumbled cornbread, biscuits, and fresh herbs creates a warm, holiday flavor that feels like home. The holiday table isn’t complete without this southern dressing!
• Customizable: You can easily tweak these simple ingredients to suit your taste, whether you prefer extra herbs or want to sneak in some vegetables or meat. You can also cut the recipe in half and make in 1 13×9 pan.
• Perfect for Leftovers: This dressing is a wonderful way to use up leftover biscuits and turkey broth, reducing food waste while creating something delicious. After it’s prepared, it’s also delicious as leftovers!

Laura Ashley’s Tip: You can make the biscuits and cornbread ahead of time to make your holiday prep easier!

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed and the Full Recipe in the Recipe Card Below

• Self-rising cornmeal mix: The base of this cornbread, providing a sweet and crumbly texture that’s essential for cornbread dressing.
• Self-Rising Flour: This helps enhance the cornbread texture, making it light and fluffy.
• Milk: Adds moisture and richness to the cornbread.
• Eggs: Adds richness and acts as a binding agent for the cornbread
• Bacon Grease or Butter: Adds a distinct richness and flavor to the crust of the cornbread.
• Leftover Buttermilk Biscuits: These add an extra soft texture and buttery flavor to the dressing.
• Ground Dried Sage: The staple herb in mamaw’s cornbread dressing. She grows and dries her own fresh sage, but store bought dried sage will work just fine.
• Onion: Adds sweetness and depth of flavor.
• Turkey Broth: Provides moisture and flavor. It infuses the dressing with rich, savory notes. Homemade chicken stock or chicken broth can be used if you don’t have turkey broth or if you don’t have enough from the method you cook your turkey.

Tools You’ll Need

• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• Spatula
• 13″x9″ Casserole Dish and 9″x9″ Baking Dish
• Cutting Board
• Chef’s Knife
• Saucepan (optional)

How to Make Southern Cornbread Dressing

Cornbread for Dressing

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. 
2. In a medium bowl, combine self-rising cornmeal mix and self-rising flour. Stir in milk and eggs just until combined.  

3. Preheat a 12-inch and 9-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat on the stovetop or in the oven for 3 minutes. Once hot, add bacon grease or butter, ensuring the entire surface has been greased. Pour the cornbread batter into the prepared skillets. 

4. Bake 20-25 minutes or until fully baked through and golden brown. Remove from the oven and cool completely.

Dressing Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 13×9-inch and 9×9-inch baking dish with butter.  
2. Crumble the prepared corn bread and biscuits in a large mixing bowl.

3. Add ground sage and onion. 

4. Pour in the turkey or chicken broth, and stir until combined well. The mixture will be very moist. 

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dishes, and spread evenly. 

6. Bake at 350° for 1 hour or until golden brown on top and set.

Southern Cook Tips and Substitutions

• Cut it in Half. This recipe makes enough to feed a crowd. If you’re looking to feed just a few people, cut all of the ingredients in half and bake in a 13×9 inch baking dish.
• Prep Ingredients Ahead of Time. If possible, make your cornbread and biscuits 1-2 days ahead of time so that it has time to dry out a bit. You can also dice the onion and measure the sage in advance to make your holiday day prep go smoother.
• Add More Flavorful. The recipe Southern Cornbread Dressing can vary from family to family. Consider adding sautéed chopped celery and carrots for added texture and flavor. Chopped water chestnuts are also a popular dressing addition.
• Sausage Cornbread Dressing. Adding sausage to cornbread dressing can enhance its flavor and add richness. Breakfast sausage, sage sausage, Italian sausage, or even smoked sausage all work great. About 1 pound of sausage is typically a good amount for a batch of dressing, but you can adjust depending on your taste preferences. Cook it in a skillet first before adding it to the dressing batter.
• Herb Alternatives. In my opinion (and certainly mamaw’s) sage is a must. However, if you aren’t able to have it or just don’t like it, you could try thyme or rosemary for a different twist.
• Gluten-Free Option. Use gluten-free cornmeal mix and flour to make the dressing gluten-free.
• Season Well. Taste your dressing mixture before pouring into the baking dish. Typically, adding salt isn’t necessary because the broth and cornbread has it. However, you can add some if you feel your palate says to. You can add additional herbs like thyme or rosemary for complexity.

Turkey Gravy

What’s dressing without gravy? An incomplete meal in my books! They’re a match made in holiday heaven!

If you want to make mamaw’s gravy to ladle on top of your dressing and all over your potatoes and turkey too, here’s her simple recipe:

• Pour 8 cups turkey broth in saucepan, and bring to a boil. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup cold water and 1/4 cup cornstarch. Whisk the cornstarch slurry into boiling broth. Make and add additional cornstarch slurry if you desire a thicker texture. Optional, dice 1/2-1 cup of the cooked giblets and/or turkey and add to the gravy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Storage and Freezing

Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze the dressing for up to 2 months. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator overnight and warm in the oven covered with foil or in the microwave until heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Side Dishes for the Holidays

• Crock Pot Mashed Potatoes
• Jiffy Corn Casserole (6 Ingredients)
• French Onion Hashbrown Casserole
• Crispy & Garlicky Green Beans