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Southern Cornbread Dressing: Best 5-Step Sage Recipe

Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sage - featured image
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A classic Southern cornbread dressing with fresh sage, featuring crispy edges and a soft, savory center. This recipe uses day-old cornbread and simple ingredients for perfect texture and flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large batch day-old cornbread (about 8–10 cups crumbled)
  • ½ cup unsalted butter (divided)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 stalks celery, finely diced
  • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 2 to 2.5 cups warm chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ¼ cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
  • Optional: ½ cup cooked sausage or ½ cup chopped apples

Instructions

  1. Prepare the cornbread: Bake cornbread at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely, then leave uncovered on the counter for 24 hours to stale. Crumble into a large bowl.
  2. Sauté aromatics: Melt ¼ cup butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and celery, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until soft. Add sage in the last minute. Remove from heat.
  3. Mix wet ingredients: Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, warm chicken broth, salt, pepper, and thyme in a separate bowl.
  4. Combine: Add sautéed vegetables to the crumbled cornbread. Pour wet mixture over top. Gently fold to moisten. Let sit for 10-15 minutes to absorb liquid.
  5. Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour dressing in, dot with remaining ¼ cup butter. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  6. Crisp top: Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
  7. Rest and serve: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use day-old cornbread to prevent mushiness. Warm the broth to avoid scrambling the eggs. Let the dressing rest after baking to help it set. Can be assembled the night before and refrigerated.

Nutrition

Keywords: Southern cornbread dressing, sage dressing, holiday side dish, Thanksgiving recipe, comfort food, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://grubella.com/southern-cornbread-dressing-best-5-step-sage-recipe/