Cozy Cottage-Style Sourdough Cornbread Dressing Recipe
Bring cozy, rustic flavor to your Thanksgiving with this sourdough cornbread dressing. With fresh herbs, rich broth, and golden cornbread cubes, it’s perfect for the holiday season!
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 202kcal
Ingredients
- 1 quart chicken broth
- 1 large onion diced
- 8 stalks celery diced
- 4 –6 slices sourdough bread toasted and cubed
- 1 skillet 10-inch sourdough cornbread, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 2 sticks salted butter for sautéing onion and celery
- 2 tbsp ground sage
- 1 ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 –2 tbsp poultry seasoning
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Bake a 10-inch skillet of cornbread according to your recipe. Once baked and cooled, cut the cornbread into small cubes. Meanwhile, toast 4–6 slices of sourdough bread until golden brown, then cut into cubes. Set both the cubed cornbread and sourdough aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In a large cast iron skillet, melt 2 sticks of salted butter over medium heat. Add 1 diced onion and 8 diced celery stalks, and sauté until the vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 10–12 minutes.
- Add the Broth and Seasonings: Pour 1 quart of chicken broth into the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Add 2 tablespoons ground sage, 1 1/2 teaspoons sea salt, and 1–2 tablespoons poultry seasoning. Stir well to combine and bring to a gentle simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 30 minutes, then set aside to cool slightly.
- Combine the Bread and Vegetable Mixture: In an extra-large mixing bowl, add the cubed sourdough and cornbread. Pour the vegetable and broth mixture over the bread cubes. Gently fold the mixture together, ensuring the bread absorbs the flavors. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Add the Eggs: In a medium bowl, whisk 4 large eggs until well-beaten. Pour the eggs over the bread mixture and gently fold until evenly combined.
- Prepare the Casserole Dish: Grease a large casserole dish with butter. Pour the dressing mixture into the dish, spreading it out evenly. Cover with aluminum foil.
- Bake the Dressing: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the covered casserole dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the dressing rest for a few minutes after baking. Serve warm with a side of homemade cranberry sauce, and enjoy this cozy holiday favorite!
Notes
- Use Day-Old Bread for Best Texture: Fresh bread can become too mushy in the dressing, so try using day-old or slightly stale sourdough and cornbread. This lets the bread soak up the broth without losing its structure, giving your dressing that perfect blend of soft and crisp textures.
- Toast the Bread Cubes for Extra Flavor: Toasting the sourdough bread cubes before mixing adds a subtle crunch and deepens the flavor. Place the cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet and toast them in the oven until golden. This step adds a delightful toasty flavor and a hint of texture to the final dish.
- Sauté Slowly for Enhanced Flavor: Take your time sautéing the onions and celery in butter over medium heat. The slow cooking brings out their natural sweetness and softens them, creating a rich, flavorful base for the dressing. A little patience here makes a huge difference in taste!
- Taste Before Adding the Eggs: Once you’ve combined the bread, vegetables, and broth, give the mixture a taste before adding the eggs. This is your chance to adjust the seasoning – add a pinch more salt, sage, or poultry seasoning if needed. This extra tasting step ensures you’re getting the flavors just right without any raw eggs involved.
- Use Fresh Herbs if Possible: Fresh sage and thyme bring an earthy, aromatic touch that makes the dressing feel extra special. If you can, opt for fresh herbs instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor. Chop them finely and stir them in during the sautéing step to unlock their full aroma.
- Don’t Skip the Butter for Sautéing: The two sticks of butter not only keep the onions and celery from sticking, but they also add a rich, cozy flavor that permeates the entire dressing. If you’re tempted to reduce it, keep in mind that the butter helps give the dressing its classic, indulgent taste.
- Whisk Eggs Thoroughly for Even Binding: Be sure to whisk the eggs until they’re smooth and evenly combined before adding them to the dressing mixture. This ensures that the eggs bind all the ingredients well, helping the dressing hold together beautifully once baked.
- Cover While Baking to Keep Moisture: Covering the casserole dish with aluminum foil for the first part of baking helps trap in moisture, creating a soft, flavorful dressing. When you uncover it for the last 15 minutes, the top crisps up slightly, giving you that delicious contrast of textures.
- Let the Dressing Rest Before Serving: After baking, let the dressing sit for about 5–10 minutes before serving. This allows it to set slightly, making it easier to serve and bringing out all the cozy flavors. Plus, it gives you a moment to gather everyone around the table!
- Experiment with Add-Ins for a Twist: Try adding cooked, crumbled bacon, dried cranberries, or even chopped pecans to the mix for a unique twist. These add-ins give your dressing a personalized touch and can make it even more memorable for holiday guests.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 202kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 106mg | Sodium: 802mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g