This best homemade Cornbread Dressing is made from scratch with a combination of cornbread and french bread, sautéed vegetables and fresh herbs.
I don't just wait for Thanksgiving to serve Cornbread Stuffing
I don't just wait for Thanksgiving to serve Cornbread StuffingAs soon as the weather gets cool my family begs me to make cornbread stuffing (aka cornbread dressing). The mix of soft cornbread and hearty bread cubes gives it the best flavor and texture—crispy on top, perfectly moist inside. My hardest decision each Thanksgivivng is whether to make Cornbread stuffing, or our traditional stuffing. I love that both can be made a day or two ahead, which means more time relaxing with my family on the big day without sacrificing a single bit of flavor.
Don't miss my other favorite Thanksgiving side dishes, like Mashed Potatoes, Sweet Potato Casserole, Cranberry Fluff Salad, or Homemade Dinner Rolls.
How to make Cornbread Dressing:
Dry the Bread: Spread cornbread and bread cubes on baking sheets and let them dry out at room temperature for 1–2 days, or bake at 250°F for 30–45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until stale.
Assemble Stuffing: Sauté onion, celery, and herbs in butter over medium heat until softened. Pour over the dried bread cubes in a large bowl, then gradually toss with broth until evenly moistened.
Bake: Transfer mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish and bake old fashioned cornbread dressing at 350°F for 20–25 minutes, until the top is golden brown.
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Recipe
Cornbread Dressing
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 8×8 pan cornbread (I use my buttermilk cornbread recipe), cut into small cubes (about 7 cups dried)
- 1 loaf crusty french bread cut into small cubes (about 7 cups dried)
- 3/4 cup butter
- 1 medium onion , chopped
- 4 ribs celery , chopped
- 3-4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary , chopped
- 1/2 cup fresh chopped parsley , chopped
- salt and freshly ground black pepper , to taste
Instructions
- Dry cornbread and bread: Spread bread cubes onto large baking sheets and leave them out to dry for 1-2 days. For a fast method, dry them in the oven at 250 degrees F for about 30-45 minutes, tossing every 10 minutes, until bread is dry and stale.1 loaf crusty french bread, 1 8×8 pan cornbread
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Sauté Veggies: Add the butter to a large skillet over medium heat. Once the butter has melted add the onion, celery, basil, thyme, rosemary and parsley and cook for a few minutes until softened.¾ cup butter, 1 medium onion, 4 ribs celery, ½ teaspoon dried basil, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, 1 Tablespoon fresh rosemary, ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
- To a large mixing bowl add dried bread cubes. Pour in butter and vegetable mixture.
- Add broth: Gradually ladle the broth mixture onto the bread, tossing lightly as you go. Add more broth, just until everything is evenly moistened. Don't add too much broth or it will be more mushy and dense. Taste and add more herbs or salt, if needed.3-4 cups low-sodium chicken broth, salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Bake: Pour mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
Notes
Nutrition
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*I originally shared this recipe November 2013. Updated November 2018, November 2023 and November 2025.
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Can you use veggie broth instead?
Yes, sure!
Can I make this ahead of time (1 – 2 days)?
Yes, you can! Prepare the entire dish 1 day in advance but don’t bake it (put it in the casserole dish or in a ziplock bag in the refrigerator).
This has been our favorite stuffing recipe since we found it three years ago. My daughter requested it for her birthday dinner and declared she could “eat this every day and not get tired of it.” Thanks for sharing!
Hello!
If I pre-make this the week before thanksgiving how is it best stored?
Thank you!
Covered in the fridge :-).
Super easy and absolutely delicious.
Everything was delicious. Turkey was great. Only the cornbread dressing didn’t hang together like I had hoped, next time and there will be a next time I will add an egg for a binder. I
Ummm I wouldn’t suggest using an egg …maybe ,more liquid or butter
I use egg in mine. I mix everything together and let it chill together in the fridge overnight or a few hours before putting it in the bird. tastes better when cooked in the bird.
I made this and got rave reviews!
I made this for Thanksgiving and it was a HUGE hit. Definitely adding this recipe to my regular rotation. No more boxed stuffing in this family!
Can I freeze this a week before Thanksgiving?
Can I freeze this a week before Thanksgiving?
5 STAR RECIPE! Make this and you wont regret it!
Thanks Ann, I’m really happy you enjoyed it!