Cornbread Stuffing

This cornbread stuffing recipe is a perfect side dish for Thanksgiving or the holidays. Filled with fresh herbs and aromatics, it's savory and delicious.

Cornbread stuffing

This cornbread stuffing recipe is the holiday side dish of my dreams. It’s a delicious mashup of two of my favorite things: homemade cornbread and classic Thanksgiving stuffing. It features lightly sweet cubes of cornbread tossed with savory herbs and aromatics and baked to golden brown perfection. Tell me you’re not tempted to add it to your Thanksgiving menu!

Technically, this cornbread stuffing is actually cornbread dressing because it bakes in a casserole dish, not inside the turkey. That means that it’s totally vegetarian and great for making ahead.

If you’re ready for a change from classic stuffing this holiday season, try this cornbread dressing recipe. You (and everyone else at the table) will love it!

Cornbread dressing ingredients

Cornbread Dressing Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make this cornbread dressing recipe:

  • Cornbread, of course! I recommend using my homemade cornbread recipe. In a pinch, your favorite cornbread mix or store-bought cornbread would work here too. You’ll need one 8×8-inch pan of cornbread to make this dressing.
  • Onion, garlic, and celery – These aromatics add delicious savory flavor to the stuffing. You’ll sauté them in olive oil before mixing them with the cornbread.
  • Fresh herbs – Many cornbread dressing recipes call for a pre-made poultry seasoning mix, but I prefer to make mine with fresh herbs. Sage, rosemary or thyme, and parsley add bold, earthy flavor to this recipe.
  • Vegetable broth – It moistens the stuffing.
  • Eggs – They add moisture and bind the stuffing together.
  • Melted butter – It helps the top of the stuffing become brown and crisp in the oven.
  • And salt and pepper – To make all the flavors pop!

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Cubed cornbread on a baking sheet

How to Make Cornbread Stuffing

Dry cornbread absorbs more flavor than moist cornbread does, so the first step in this cornbread stuffing recipe is to dry out the cornbread in the oven.

Cut it into cubes and spread it on a baking sheet. Bake at 375°F for 10 minutes, or until lightly crisp and golden brown.

Mixing cornbread with herbs and aromatics in glass bowl

Meanwhile, sauté the aromatics. Cook the onion and celery over medium heat for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft. Stir in the garlic.

Then, toss the cornbread with the seasonings. Add it to a large bowl with the sautéed aromatics and herbs. Toss to combine.

Pouring stock over dressing mixture

Moisten the stuffing with the eggs and 2 cups of the vegetable broth. Mix well. If the stuffing still feels dry, add up to another 1/2 cup broth to evenly moisten it. Transfer the dressing mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish and drizzle with the melted butter.

Cover and bake the stuffing for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly crisp and golden brown.

Garnish with fresh parsley, and enjoy!

Transferring dressing mixture to baking dish

Make-Ahead Tips

Like all the best Thanksgiving side dishes, this cornbread dressing is perfect for making ahead. You have a few options for prepping it in advance:

  • Get ahead on the cornbread. Make my cornbread recipe up to 3 months in advance. Wrap it tightly and freeze until you’re ready to make the stuffing.
  • Assemble the stuffing a few hours before serving. Spread it in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate until an hour or so before your meal. When you’re ready to bake, uncover and drizzle on the melted butter. Then, bake according to the recipe.
  • Make it a day ahead. Fully assemble the stuffing 1 day in advance and bake it, covered, for 30 minutes. Store in the refrigerator overnight. Before your meal the next day, bake the stuffing, covered, at 350°F until warmed through, then uncover and bake until the top is lightly crisp.

How to Store Cornbread Stuffing

Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the microwave or a 350°F oven.

How to Freeze Cornbread Stuffing

You can also freeze this dressing. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then tightly cover the baking dish or transfer the dressing to freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Let frozen stuffing thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating in a 350°F oven. Smaller portions also reheat well in the microwave.

Cornbread stuffing recipe

More Favorite Holiday Side Dishes

If you love this cornbread stuffing recipe, try one of these delicious holiday side dishes next:

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Cornbread Stuffing

rate this recipe:
5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Serves 12
This cornbread dressing is one of my favorite holiday side dishes. It's flavorful and delicious, featuring lightly sweet, crumbly cornbread, savory aromatics, and fresh herbs like sage and thyme. Find make-ahead instructions in the blog post above.

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9x13-inch or similar baking dish.
  • Spread the cubed cornbread on a large baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly crisp and golden brown.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, salt, and pepper and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until soft. Stir in the garlic.
  • Place the toasted cornbread in a large bowl. Add the onion mixture, the sage, rosemary, and parsley. Stir to combine, then add 2 cups of the vegetable broth and the eggs and mix until the cornbread is evenly moistened. If it feels dry, add more vegetable broth as needed to moisten it. I typically use up to another ½ cup.
  • Transfer to the prepared baking dish and drizzle with the melted butter. Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the top is lightly crisp and golden. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.

9 comments

5 from 2 votes

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Rate this recipe (after making it)




  1. Sally
    11.28.2024

    5 stars
    When I first saw this recipe, I knew I had to try it — and I’m so glad I did for Thanksgiving dinner! This was my first time making dressing with cornbread, and it turned out absolutely amazing. Now, I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to my old way of making dressing! It’s hearty enough that you could skip other carb-heavy sides like biscuits or bread. The flavor is rich, the texture is perfect, and it’s incredibly filling. This dressing was a huge hit and made my Thanksgiving meal even more memorable. Super delicious!

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.01.2024

      Hi Sally, I’m so glad you loved it so much!

  2. Debbie
    11.28.2024

    5 stars
    This was very delicious! I was happy how moist and tasty the stuffing was. I had several guests ask for the recipe.

    • Jeanine Donofrio
      12.01.2024

      Hi Debbie, I’m thrilled to hear that, thanks for coming back to share!

  3. Carolina
    11.27.2024

    Can I make day before?

    • Carolina
      11.27.2024

      Never mind I saw the rest of page

  4. Sabrina from newkitchenlife.com
    11.11.2024

    yummy combo of two of my favorites, stuffing and cornbread, wonderful and thank you!

  5. Daisy
    11.11.2024

    How can I make this vegan, without eggs.

  6. Susan
    11.11.2024

    Have you made this with dried sage? If so, was it as good and how much would you use? Thank you!

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Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.