Description
Paula Deen’s Southern Cornbread Stuffing brings Southern comfort to holiday tables with classic ingredients and rich, savory flavors. Homemade cornbread mingles with aromatic herbs, creating a hearty side dish that connects generations through traditional Southern cooking.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients:
- 7 slices oven-dried white bread
- 1 sleeve saltine crackers
- 1 cup self rising cornmeal
- ½ cup self rising flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon optional sage
- 1 tablespoon optional poultry seasoning
- to taste freshly ground black pepper
Fresh Ingredients:
- 2 cups chopped celery
- 1 large chopped onion
- 9 eggs (7 beaten, 2 for cornbread)
- ¾ cup buttermilk
Liquid and Fat Ingredients:
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 8 tablespoons (½ cup) butter
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Instructions
- Gather all bread varieties – cornbread, white bread slices, and saltine crackers – and crumble them into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a rustic bread foundation.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature, melt butter until it’s golden and shimmering, then gently sauté chopped celery and onions until they become translucent and aromatic, approximately 5 to 7 minutes.
- Transfer the softened vegetables directly onto the crumbled bread mixture, allowing their warm essence to integrate with the dry ingredients.
- Introduce chicken stock gradually, ensuring even moisture distribution across the bread base. Sprinkle salt, freshly ground black pepper, sage, and poultry seasoning, tasting and adjusting the flavor profile as needed.
- Whisk 5 eggs until they’re uniformly blended, then fold them thoroughly into the bread and vegetable mixture, creating a cohesive and rich stuffing base.
- Prepare a baking dish by generously coating it with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking. Carefully transfer the stuffing mixture, spreading it evenly.
- Position the stuffing in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C), allowing it to bake for 45 to 60 minutes. The top should transform into a golden-brown crust, with the interior becoming firm and fully cooked.
Notes
- Grab day-old bread for superior stuffing texture, preventing soggy results and ensuring maximum flavor absorption.
- Gently fold cornbread ingredients to maintain a light, crumbly consistency that melts in your mouth.
- Taste seasonings before final mixing, letting sage and herbs develop their rich, aromatic profile without overwhelming the dish.
- Slowly incorporate chicken stock, creating a perfect moisture balance that keeps the stuffing deliciously tender yet structured.
- Bake until golden edges emerge and center sets, transforming simple ingredients into a crowd-pleasing side dish that screams home-cooked comfort.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Side Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 398 kcal
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 950mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 120mg