Savory Herbed Cornbread Dressing

🕒 Prep: 20 min
🔥 Cook: 45 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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Savory Herbed Cornbread Dressing is the perfect addition to your holiday table or any comforting meal. With a delightful mix of fresh herbs and hearty cornbread, this dish is flavorful and rich, making it a standout side that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for Savory Herbed Cornbread Dressing

The foundation of this dish is, of course, the cornbread, which brings a slightly sweet, crumbly texture that complements the savory elements. The addition of stale white bread ensures a balance of textures, absorbing the flavors without becoming mushy. Butter is key for sautéing, adding richness to the vegetables and enhancing the final dish.

Onion, celery, and garlic form the aromatic base, bringing depth and flavor that spread throughout the dish. Chicken stock keeps it moist and flavorful, while eggs help bind everything together. The triumphant trio of sage, rosemary, and thyme infuse the dressing with an irresistible herby aroma, and fresh parsley adds a bright note to round it all out.

Tips & Tricks

  • For extra flavor, consider using homemade chicken stock if you have it on hand.
  • Make sure your cornbread and white bread are truly stale, as this helps them soak up the liquids without turning to mush.
  • Chop your herbs finely to ensure they distribute evenly throughout the dressing.

Serving Suggestions

This Savory Herbed Cornbread Dressing pairs beautifully with roasted turkey or chicken, making it a great choice for holiday dinners. Consider serving it alongside a fresh green bean salad or a side of roasted Brussels sprouts for a well-rounded meal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare it the day before and refrigerate it. Just bring it to room temperature before baking.
Can I use dried herbs instead of fresh?
Yes, but use half the amount, as dried herbs are more concentrated in flavor.
What if I don't have stale bread?
You can dry fresh bread in a low oven (around 200°F) for about 20 minutes.

Savory Herbed Cornbread Dressing Recipe Walkthrough

Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and greasing a large baking dish to prevent sticking. This will ensure an easy, stress-free serving later. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté these until they're tender and aromatic, which should take about 5 to 7 minutes. You'll know they're ready when the onions are translucent, and your kitchen smells amazing.

In a large mixing bowl, combine your crumbled cornbread and cubed stale white bread. Pour the sautéed vegetables over this bread mixture and gently stir to combine, making sure the bread absorbs that delicious buttery, herby flavor.

Next, whisk together the chicken stock and eggs in a separate bowl. Pour this mixture over your bread and veggies, ensuring everything is evenly coated and moistened. Add the salt, pepper, and chopped herbs — sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley — and mix well to distribute the flavors.

Transfer your well-mixed dressing into the prepared baking dish. Cover the dish with foil to keep it moist and bake for 30 minutes. Afterward, remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes or until the top is golden and slightly crisp. This final bake gives it that perfect crust that everyone loves.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • It's a perfect blend of textures — moist on the inside with a golden, crisp top.
  • Easy to make ahead and bake when you're ready, saving time on busy days.
  • A great way to use up any stale bread you have lying around.
  • Packed with fresh herbs, giving it a vibrant, aromatic flavor punch.

Ingredients

4 cups crumbled cornbread
2 cups cubed stale white bread
1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup chopped yellow onion
1 cup chopped celery
2 cloves minced garlic
2 cups chicken stock
2 large eggs
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
1 tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped
1/2 cup chopped parsley

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Grease a large baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onions, celery, and garlic. Sauté until tender.
3. In a large bowl, combine crumbled cornbread and cubed white bread.
4. Pour the sautéed vegetables over the bread mixture and stir to combine.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together chicken stock and eggs. Pour over the bread mixture.
6. Add salt, pepper, sage, rosemary, thyme, and parsley. Mix well.
7. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover with foil.
8. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 15 minutes until golden brown.

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