Fluffy Paula Deen Cornbread Dressing Recipe: Homestyle Magic!

Southern cornbread dressing weaves a tapestry of comfort and culinary magic that resonates with food lovers.

This soulful recipe whispers stories of family kitchens and time-honored traditions.

Crumbled cornbread dances with crisp celery and fragrant sage, creating a symphony of flavors that sing of Southern hospitality.

Herbs and spices mingle gently, transforming humble ingredients into a luxurious side dish that captures generations of love.

Each forkful carries the warmth of family gatherings and the depth of cultural richness.

Tender and aromatic, this dressing beckons you to savor a slice of Southern culinary heritage.

How to Serve Paula’s Cornbread Dressing at a Feast

• Serve with Holiday Comfort: Pair this golden cornbread dressing alongside roasted turkey or baked chicken for a classic Southern holiday meal that warms hearts and brings family together.
• Dress Up Your Plate: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley or green onions to add a pop of color and bright, fresh flavor that complements the rich, savory dressing.
• Transform Leftovers: Reheat individual portions in the oven to maintain the crispy top and creamy interior, making next-day meals just as delicious as the first serving.
• Create a Balanced Spread: Add a side of cranberry sauce or roasted seasonal vegetables to round out the meal and provide a delightful contrast to the hearty dressing.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 280 kcal

Servings: 11

Paula Deen’s Cornbread Dressing Ingredient Lineup

• Cornmeal: Select stone-ground for deeper, richer flavor.
• Flour: Choose unbleached all-purpose for better texture.
• Oven-Dried White Bread, Saltine Crackers: Ensure bread is completely dry for perfect crumbly consistency.

• Celery, Onions: Pick crisp, firm vegetables with vibrant colors for maximum aromatic depth.

• Buttermilk: Select full-fat version for richer taste.
• Chicken Stock: Use low-sodium for better control of salt levels.
• Eggs: Choose fresh, room-temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Opt for freshly ground pepper and kosher salt for enhanced flavor.
• Dried Sage, Poultry Seasoning: Select high-quality, fragrant herbs from recent harvest.
• Oil: Use neutral vegetable or canola oil for even baking.
• Butter: Select unsalted butter for precise seasoning control.

Tools That Make Cornbread Dressing Easier

• 9×9 inch baking dish: Perfect for baking homemade cornbread with even golden-brown results.
• 9×13 inch baking pan: Spacious dish for preparing the final dressing, ensuring even cooking.
• Large mixing bowl: Roomy container for crumbling and combining bread ingredients.
• Skillet: Ideal for sautéing vegetables with butter over medium heat.
• Measuring cups: Essential for accurately portioning dry and liquid ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Precise tools for adding salt, pepper, and seasonings.
• Whisk: Great for beating eggs and mixing ingredients smoothly.
• Wooden spoon: Helpful for stirring and combining bread mixture.
• Cutting board: Surface for chopping celery and onions.
• Sharp knife: Used for dicing vegetables and breaking bread into pieces.

Cooking Guide for Classic Cornbread Dressing (Paula Deen)

Craft Mouthwatering Southern Cornbread Dressing

Create your family’s favorite holiday side dish with this simple Southern-style recipe that brings comfort and warmth to the table.

• Prepare Cornbread Foundation

Crumble homemade cornbread and white bread into a large mixing bowl. Break pieces into small, consistent chunks that will absorb flavors beautifully. The combination of breads creates a rich, textured base for your dressing.

• Sauté Flavor Builders

Melt butter in a skillet and gently cook chopped celery and onions until they become soft and translucent. These aromatic vegetables will infuse your dressing with deep, savory notes that make every bite memorable. Transfer the golden vegetables into your bread mixture.

• Season and Bind the Dressing

Pour chicken stock over the bread and vegetable blend. Sprinkle in dried sage, salt, black pepper, and poultry seasoning. Crack eggs into the mixture and stir everything together until well combined. The eggs will help bind all the delicious ingredients, creating a cohesive and moist dressing.

• Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the dressing into a greased baking pan. Slide it into a preheated oven and bake until the top turns a beautiful golden brown and the center sets firmly. The aroma will fill your kitchen with irresistible holiday memories. Let the dressing rest briefly before serving to allow flavors to settle and texture to firm up.

Tips & Southern Twists for Cornbread Dressing

Add diced jalapeños or a pinch of cayenne pepper for a zesty kick that’ll wake up your taste buds and bring some Southern heat to the classic recipe.

Experiment with fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or chopped parsley to create a more complex and aromatic flavor profile that elevates the traditional dressing.

Fold in cooked and crumbled breakfast sausage or crispy bacon bits for an extra layer of savory goodness that transforms the dish into a hearty side.

Swap some crackers with cornbread stuffing mix or add toasted pecans for a delightful crunch that gives your dressing an unexpected textural excitement.

Smart Storage for Cornbread Dressing Leftovers

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover cornbread dressing in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 4 days, ensuring maximum flavor retention.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or freezer-safe container and freeze for 2-3 months, perfect for quick meal prep or unexpected gatherings.
• Reheating Tips: Warm individual portions in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding a splash of chicken stock to maintain moisture and restore original delicious texture.
• Safe Handling Practices: Always refrigerate within 2 hours of cooking, and ensure internal temperature reaches 165°F when reheating to prevent bacterial growth and maintain food safety.

Rustic Paula Deen Cornbread Dressing Recipe

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4.7 from 20 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 11 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s cornbread dressing combines Southern comfort with rich, savory flavors. Herbs, crumbled cornbread, and aromatic seasonings blend together for a classic holiday side dish that brings warmth to family gatherings.

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Ingredients

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• 7 cups (1.66 L) chicken stock
• 7 beaten eggs (2 for cornbread, 5 for dressing)
• 1 cup (240 ml) self-rising cornmeal
• 7 slices oven-dried white bread
• 1 sleeve saltine crackers
• 1 large chopped onion
• 2 cups chopped celery
• 8 tbsps (½ cup or 113 g) butter
• ¾ cup (180 ml) buttermilk
• ½ cup self-rising flour
• 2 tbsps vegetable oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp sage (optional)
• 1 tbsp poultry seasoning (optional)
• Black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Cornbread Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. Blend cornmeal, flour, buttermilk, eggs, and vegetable oil until smooth. Pour batter into a greased 9-inch baking dish and bake for 22-27 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Cooling and Crumbling: Allow cornbread to cool completely, then crumble into large pieces in a spacious mixing bowl. Add crumbled white bread and saltine crackers to create a diverse textural foundation.
3. Vegetable Sauté: Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté celery and onions for 6-8 minutes until translucent and aromatic. Pour the vegetable mixture over the cornbread crumbs and fold gently to distribute evenly.
4. Seasoning and Binding: Introduce chicken stock, kosher salt, black pepper, dried sage, and poultry seasoning. Whisk eggs separately, then fold into the dressing mixture, ensuring thorough incorporation and uniform consistency.
5. Final Baking: Transfer the mixture to a generously greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 50-55 minutes until the top achieves a golden-brown hue and the center sets when lightly touched.

Notes

• Bread Selection Matters: Choose day-old white bread and saltine crackers for optimal texture and authentic Southern flavor, preventing sogginess.
• Vegetable Sautéing Technique: Carefully sauté celery and onions until translucent to release maximum flavor and enhance the dressing’s aromatic profile.
• Egg Whisking Importance: Separately whisk eggs before adding to ensure smooth integration and prevent potential lumpy texture in the final dish.
• Moisture Balance Critical: Add chicken stock gradually and mix thoroughly to achieve perfect consistency – not too dry or overly wet, which ensures a tender, flavorful dressing.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 11
• Calories: 280
• Sugar: 2g
• Sodium: 800mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 27g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 8g
• Cholesterol: 160mg