We all know that Thanksgiving is really about all of the delicious sides and maybe the pie. Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing is my favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal. Forget the turkey, I’m just here for the sides.
Especially the Dressing. In fact, it’s not actually Thanksgiving if I don’t have dressing.
The Difference Between Stuffing & Dressing
Here in the South, we call it dressing, not stuffing.
Stuffing is put inside of a turkey. Dressing is served as a side in a casserole dish. Whatever you call it, it’s delicious!
Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing is not actually stuffed inside of a turkey, it’s served as a side – like the main side dish of all. Don’t forget to serve it with lots of cranberry sauce – right out of the can with the ridges and all. 😉
Hey y’all, there ain’t no shame in canned cranberry sauce, mmkay?!?
What do you call it – Dressing or Stuffing?
If you ask anyone from the South, they’re going to call it Dressing. They’ll also say their family’s recipe is the *best dressing*. And none of them are wrong. But, if you ask me, Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing is the *BEST of the Best Dressings* out there. My Great Grandma Pearla gave this recipe to Memaw, and it is a favorite family recipe, past down through our family’s generations ever since.
Making Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing
Back then they added a little of this and that with no exact measurements. Memaw learned by making this Dressing with Grandma Pearla, and just wrote down the main points of the recipe.
My Momma sent me the handwritten recipe cards of Memaw’s dressing. Just like the biscuits, the recipe was super confusing. It was mainly the ingredients and hardly any measurements. To which I called my Momma and was like… I need measurements. 🤷♀️ She said “you’re looking for it to look like the right consistency. You want it to be soupy – BUT not too soupy.” And this was my face as she was told me that and continued to explain: 🥴
But no worries! Now we’ve got measurements and we’re going to make it to where you can make the best Southern Cornbread Dressing in all the land for your Thanksgiving feast!
I’m proud to say, I too can now make Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing! And I like to think that Memaw would be proud of me for learning how to make her Dressing recipe.
You know that vintage recipes handed down through the generations are the best. Memaw’s Dressing is sure to be your family’s new favorite recipe this Thanksgiving.
Memaw’s Southern Cornbread Dressing Recipe:
Memaw's Southern Cornbread Dressing
Ingredients
- 1 Onion Finely diced
- 3-4 Celery Ribs Finely diced
- 1 Chicken Bouillon Cube
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 2 Cups Cornmeal
- 5-6 Cups Chicken Broth Use bone broth for extra flavor
- 4 tbsp Vegetable Oil You may need to add more for frying
- 3 Slices White Sandwich Bread Diced
- 2 Eggs Beaten
- 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup
- 1 Can Cream of Celery Soup
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder to taste
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Chop celery and onions into a small, fine dice. In a medium skillet, sauté the celery and onions together in olive oil.
- In a large pan or cast iron skillet, heat 4 tablespoons of vegetable oil on the stove.
- Meanwhile, add 2 cups cornmeal, dissolved chicken bouillon cube and 2 cups of chicken broth. Add celery and onions into the cornmeal mixture. Stir mixture together. *You want it to be a soup like consistency, so add about a half cup more of the chicken broth IF needed. *
- Using a spoon, scoop the cornmeal mixture into the hot cast iron skillet to fry. You want to fry both sides of the cormeal mixture. Place the fried cornbread on a paper towel lined plate to drain.*This part also makes yummy cornbread just for eating!*
- In a large mixing bowl, add the diced fried cornbread you just made, and 3 slices of diced white sandwich bread. I just tore the bread and cornbread up with my hands!
- To the large mixing bowl add 3 cups chicken broth and mash up well.
- Beat 2 eggs and add to the cornbread mixture. Add salt, pepper, garlic powder. Stir together. Next, add the Cream of Chicken Soup and Cream of Celery Soup. Mash and stir together well.*You are looking for a thin consistency with the cornbread mixture. Add more chicken broth if needed.*
- Place cornbread mixture into a greased casserole dish.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until the dressing is golden brown on top. *My dressing took about an hour to bake in the oven. So the cook time depends on your oven temperature and how thick the casserole is.
Notes
Looking for More Thanksgiving Recipes?
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the dessert! Check out Grandma Patricia’s Famous Pumpkin Pie. This Pumpkin Pie is another family recipe from my husband’s grandmother!
Then Check Out Tablescape Ideas for Your Thanksgiving Table:
- Boho Inspired Vintage Fall Tablescape: This boho inspired vintage fall tablescape is what your fall dreams are made of! Vibrant, bold pops of color. A rare, antique china set. Thrifted and antique finds make this fall tablescape a star.
- Simple Rae Dunn Friendsgiving Tablescape: This tablescape idea is perfect for your Friendsgiving get together!
- Jewel Tone Fall Tablescape: This jewel tone fall tablescape uses warmer colors and lots of texture.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday spent with the ones you love. I’m thankful for each and every one of you, sweet readers.
Happy Thanksgiving!
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Yay you made it! I am proud of you and it would delight Memaw!
I think she would be happy I made it too! 🙂