Southern Paula Deen Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

Southern cornbread stuffing whispers stories of family traditions and soulful gatherings, inviting you into a world of culinary comfort.

Every crumbly morsel carries generations of love and warmth from southern kitchens.

Crisp bread pieces dance with tender cornbread, creating a symphony of textures that sing on your palate.

Aromatic herbs and vegetables weave their enchantment, transforming humble ingredients into a spectacular side dish.

Rich butter and savory stock infuse layers of complex flavors that echo generations of cooking wisdom.

Memories simmer within each spoonful, connecting you to cherished moments around the family table.

This recipe promises to transport you to a place of pure, delicious nostalgia that will leave everyone craving seconds.

Ingredients for Paula Deen’s Cornbread Stuffing

• Cornbread: Choose crumbly, slightly dry cornbread for better texture absorption.
• White Bread: Select day-old bread for enhanced stuffing consistency.
• Saltine Crackers: Pick crisp crackers without staleness for added crunch.

• Celery, Onion: Select fresh, firm vegetables with vibrant colors and no soft spots.

• Chicken Stock: Opt for low-sodium varieties to control salt levels.
• Salt, Pepper: Use freshly ground black pepper for robust flavor.
• Sage: Select dried sage with rich, earthy aroma.
• Poultry Seasoning: Choose blend with balanced herbal notes.

• Eggs: Select fresh, large eggs at room temperature for smooth mixing.

• Butter: Use unsalted butter for precise seasoning control.

Tools You’ll Need to Make Cornbread Stuffing – Paula Deen

• Large Mixing Bowl: Spacious vessel for combining bread crumbs and ingredients.
• Large Skillet: Perfect for sautéing vegetables with even heat distribution.
• Baking Pan: Greased dish for baking the stuffing to golden perfection.
• Measuring Cups: Precise tools for measuring chicken stock and ingredients.
• Spatula: Handy for mixing and folding ingredients smoothly.
• Cutting Board: Clean surface for chopping vegetables.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for dicing celery and onions.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs quickly and evenly.
• Oven Mitts: Protective gear for handling hot baking pan.

How to Prepare Cornbread Stuffing the Paula Deen Way

• Fire Up the Cooking Stage

Preheat your oven to a warm 350°F, creating the perfect environment for a mouthwatering southern-style dish.

• Create Bread Base

Combine a blend of crumbled cornbread, dried bread, and crusty crackers in a large mixing bowl. This texture-rich foundation will be the heart of your stuffing.

• Sizzle the Aromatics

In a skillet, melt butter and gently cook chopped celery and onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their irresistible flavors.

• Build Flavor Layers

Pour the sautéed vegetables over the bread mixture. Splash in chicken stock and sprinkle a blend of herbs and seasonings. Taste and adjust to create a harmony of flavors that’ll make taste buds dance.

• Bind and Bake

Whisk eggs and fold them into the bread mixture, ensuring everything is perfectly combined. Transfer to a greased baking dish and slide into the oven. Bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the center is completely cooked through, typically 45 to 60 minutes.

Paula Deen’s Tips & Mix-Ins for Southern Cornbread Stuffing

Elevate your classic recipe with these tasty twists and expert techniques.

Mix different bread types like cornbread, sourdough, and whole wheat for a complex, rich flavor profile that adds unexpected depth to your stuffing.

Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, and parsley to create a vibrant, aromatic stuffing that brings garden-fresh flavors to your table.

Fold in cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage, crispy bacon bits, or diced roasted chestnuts for extra texture and a protein-packed punch that takes your stuffing from good to phenomenal.

Always add chicken stock gradually and check consistency – you want a moist but not soggy mixture that holds together beautifully when baked, ensuring each bite is perfectly tender and delicious.

Serving Tips for Cornbread Stuffing

• Pair with Festive Poultry: Serve this classic southern stuffing alongside roasted turkey, crispy roasted chicken, or succulent holiday ham for a traditional meal that warms the soul.
• Create Texture Contrast: Top the stuffing with chopped fresh parsley or toasted pecans to add a delightful crunch and bright green color that elevates the dish's visual appeal.
• Make a Complete Comfort Plate: Complement the stuffing with creamy mashed potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, and roasted seasonal vegetables for a hearty and satisfying dinner that celebrates home-style cooking.
• Reheat with Love: Store leftovers in an airtight container and gently warm in the oven at 325°F, sprinkling a few tablespoons of chicken stock to keep the stuffing moist and delicious.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Cornbread Stuffing for Later

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover stuffing in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Seal tightly to maintain moisture and prevent contamination.
• Freezer-Friendly Hack: Wrap cooled stuffing in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 1 month to enjoy later without losing flavor integrity.
• Quick Reheating Trick: Warm refrigerated stuffing in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 15-20 minutes. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore original moisture and prevent dryness.
• Smart Portioning Strategy: Divide stuffing into individual serving sizes before storing. This allows easy reheating of small portions without compromising the entire batch's quality and taste.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 11

Buttery Southern Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

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• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Rich Southern cornbread stuffing celebrates southern comfort cooking with layers of flavor from crumbled cornbread, herbs, and savory sausage. Paula Deen’s classic recipe brings southern hospitality to holiday tables you’ll want to savor.

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Ingredients

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

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Instructions

1. Bread Preparation: Crumble cornbread, white bread slices, and saltine crackers into a large mixing bowl, creating a textured bread foundation.
2. Vegetable Sautéing: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat, then gently sauté chopped celery and onions until translucent and fragrant, releasing their subtle flavors and softening their texture.
3. Mixture Integration: Combine sautéed vegetables with crumbled bread, then introduce chicken stock to moisten the mixture. Season with salt, black pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning, blending flavors thoroughly.
4. Egg Incorporation: Whisk eggs until smooth, then fold into the bread and vegetable mixture, ensuring a uniform consistency and rich, binding texture.
5. Baking Preparation: Grease a baking dish with butter or cooking spray, then spread the stuffing mixture evenly across the surface, creating a level base for even cooking.
6. Oven Transformation: Bake in a preheated 350°F (175°C) oven for 45-60 minutes, allowing the top to develop a golden-brown crust while the interior becomes firm and fully cooked, developing a perfect balance of crispy exterior and moist interior.

Notes

• Bread Variety Matters: Mix different bread types for a complex, textural stuffing that adds depth and interesting mouthfeel to your dish.
• Sauté with Precision: Cook vegetables until translucent to release natural sugars and develop a rich, subtle flavor foundation for the stuffing.
• Moisture is Key: Add chicken stock gradually to control wetness, preventing a soggy or dry stuffing – aim for a perfectly moist consistency.
• Seasoning Balance: Taste and adjust seasonings incrementally, ensuring sage and poultry seasoning complement without overwhelming the other ingredients.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Side Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10g
• Trans Fat: 1g
• Carbohydrates: 40g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 12g
• Cholesterol: 220mg