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Dinner · Side Dish

Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sage and Onion

A traditional Southern side dish featuring baked cornbread dressing infused with fresh sage, sautéed onions, and celery for a perfect holiday accompaniment.

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Classic Southern Cornbread Dressing with Sage and Onion
Prep time20 min
Cook time40 min
Rest / other5 min
Total time65 min
Servings8Serves 8
DifficultyMedium
What you’ll need

Ingredients

Check ingredients as you go.

  • Dressing Base
  • Sauté
  • Dressing Mix
  • Seasoning
One step at a time

Let’s make it

  1. Preparation

    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or oil for greasing.

  2. Sauté Vegetables

    In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, celery, and sage. Sauté until vegetables are soft and translucent, about 7 to 8 minutes.

  3. Dressing Base

    In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled cornbread and white bread.

  4. Combine Ingredients

    Add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the bread crumbs and gently toss to combine.

  5. Mix Dressing

    In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm chicken broth and beaten eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread and vegetable mix. Stir gently until moistened but not soggy. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

  6. Bake

    Transfer the dressing mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

  7. Finish Baking

    Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the top is golden brown and slightly crisp.

  8. Rest

    Remove from the oven and let the dressing rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld and temperature to settle.

A little kitchen wisdom

Tips & notes

Use day-old cornbread and white bread for the best texture. If fresh bread is used, toast it lightly to dry. Adjust chicken broth quantity to achieve a moist but not wet dressing. Fresh sage provides authentic flavor but dried sage can be used in a pinch (use about one-third the quantity).

Saving it for later

Store leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator within 2 hours of cooking. Consume within 3-4 days for best quality.

Reheating

Reheat dressing covered in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15-20 minutes until heated through. You can add a splash of broth to maintain moisture if needed.

DinnerSide DishComfort FoodFamily DinnerAmerican