Old-Fashioned Southern Cornbread Dressing – Classic Holiday Favorite

In a large skillet, melt the 1/2 cup of butter over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and chopped celery, sautéing until they become soft, fragrant, and lightly translucent (about 10 minutes). This step builds the rich base flavor of your dressing.

Step 2: Prepare the Breads

In a large mixing bowl, combine the crumbled toasted bread and crumbled cornbread. Make sure the crumbs are fine for the best texture, but it’s okay to leave a few small chunks for extra body.

Step 3: Add Seasonings

Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, and dried sage. Sage is the soul of holiday dressing, giving it that unmistakable warm Thanksgiving flavor. Mix everything thoroughly so the seasoning is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Add the Sautéed Vegetables

Pour the buttery onions and celery into the bread mixture. The melted butter helps bring everything together and adds richness and moisture.

Step 5: Add Eggs

Pour the beaten eggs into the mixture, stirring thoroughly. The eggs help bind the dressing and create that classic custard-like texture once baked.

Step 6: Add Broth

Slowly stir in turkey broth or chicken broth until the mixture is very moist but not soupy. The consistency should be similar to thick oatmeal. You may need anywhere from 2 to 4 cups, depending on how dry your crumbs are.

Step 7: Add Optional Hard-Boiled Eggs

If you like traditional style dressing, fold in 2–3 chopped hard-boiled eggs. This adds texture, richness, and old-fashioned Southern character.

Step 8: Bake

Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Pour the dressing into a greased baking dish (9×13 or similar). Bake for 45–60 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned and the center is set but still moist.