Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Cornbread Dressing

Teresa Ambra

Gluten Free Living – 2016

Cornbread Dressing was always my Dad’s favorite stuffing recipe when I was growing up. He would beg Mom to make it for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. On occasion, Mom would make it for him and it was a rare treat when she did. Most of the time if she made the Cornbread Dressing she would also make her regular bread dressing (usually with homemade bread)!

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My sister uses the same recipe and uses about five different kinds of bread, like pumpernickel, rye, sourdough, and two other artisan-type breads. It’s a simple, yet versatile recipe that’s savory and delicious.

It has been a long time since I’ve made Cornbread Dressing. I’m sure it was back when my kids were still at home. I can’t remember making it since we’ve been living in Texas (20+ years), so like I said, it has been a long time. I wanted to make the recipe as clean as possible, so I started with a batch of my Gluten Free Honey Cornbread which I made a day before needing it.

The only change I made was to decrease the honey from 1/2 cup to 1 tablespoon. You don’t want a sweet dressing, even a teaspoon of honey or sugar is plenty. Other than that, I followed my Mom’s basic recipe except for adding sage.

It’s important to defrost your turkey in the refrigerator about a week in advance of Thanksgiving. Remove the giblets the day before and boil them off an hour or two in water that’s been generously salted and peppered. You may have to add additional water if too much evaporates. (I actually did this in the crockpot the night before).

Then on the morning of Thanksgiving or Christmas, cut the cornbread (baked the day before), into cubes. Saute the onions and celery in butter. Combine everything with the seasonings and giblet broth and it’s ready to stuff inside the turkey.

If you don’t like to cook your stuffing that way, just put it in a greased casserole dish and bake about 30-40 minutes or until done. We prefer to serve our Cornbread Dressing (or any kind of dressing) with gravy poured over the top. But it’s just as good served plain.

I served mine for Thanksgiving dinner along with Squash and Carrot Casserole and other traditional fixings. Gluten free gravy poured over top made it perfect. If you’re looking for a delightful Cornbread Dressing recipe, then give this healthier gluten free version a try.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Cornbread Dressing is a terrific side dish any time you’re preparing a holiday turkey.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Here I’ve drizzled Turkey Gravy over top of the stuffing.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

If you enjoy Cornbread, you’ll enjoy Mom’s Cornbread dressing.

Here’s what I did.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

I used these ingredients. A batch of Gluten Free Honey Cornbread (minus most of the honey) is in the baking dish and I cooked the turkey giblets off in a crockpot overnight on low for the giblet broth.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Prepare cornbread a day in advance. On the day you’re preparing the stuffing, cut cornbread in cubes. 

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Place cubed cornbread in a very large mixing bowl. Add seasonings.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Saute onions and celery in butter in separate skillets if necessary. Do NOT drain. Add veggies and drippings to the cornbread cubes.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Add giblet broth. (Chicken broth can be substituted). 

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

The idea is to moisten the cubes enough so it doesn’t dry out while baking. If you’re putting the whole batch in a casserole dish you will need between 2 to 2 1/2 cups broth so the dressing doesn’t dry out while baking. (It will look moister than this). 

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

If desired, stuff both cavities of the turkey with Cornbread Dressing. Secure the back side with skewers.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Place any remaining dressing in a greased baking dish. 

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Bake about 30-40 minutes at 350.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Remove stuffing from turkey and place in a large serving bowl.

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

If you prefer a spicy cornbread dressing, try my Bacon Cheddar Chili Cornbread or Jalapeno Cheddar Honey Cornbread. Just remember to decrease the honey or sugar to one teaspoon–no more than one tablespoon–when making.

Here’s the recipe.

CORNBREAD DRESSING

(Recipe inspired from my Mom’s Cornbread Dressing, Helen Mattis, Titusville, FL)

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Cornbread Dressing

Teresa Ambra
Cornbread Dressing is lip-smacking good! This delicious stuffing is great for the holidays especially for those of you who enjoy a little bit of the South in your food. This version is gluten free and uses celery, onions & lots of herbs for fantastic flavor. Stuff the turkey or bake in a casserole dish.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern
Servings 16
Calories 358 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish to bake the cornbread in
  • 1 sharp knife to cube cornbread and cut vegetables
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large sauce pot with lid to cook off turkey giblets
  • 2 large skillets
  • 1 one-quart casserole dish

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 cups cornbread cubed (don’t use a sweet cornbread)
  • 2 cups celery diced
  • 2 large onions diced
  • 1 tsp. rubbed sage
  • 2 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 cups homemade turkey giblet broth (or chicken broth), or more if needed
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper or as desired

Instructions
 

  • Prepare cornbread a day in advance if possible.
  • After cooled, allow cornbread to stale – a day if possible.
  • When ready to begin preparation, cube cornbread and place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Set aside.
  • Remove giblets from turkey and place in large pot filled with water.
  • Salt and pepper the water generously.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer an hour or two until a rich broth has formed.
  • (You may have to continue adding water if it boils down too much).
  • Set aside.
  • Divide butter in half and place in two large 10-12” skillets.
  • Turn skillets on low to medium heat.
  • Place onions in one skillet and celery in the other.
  • Sauté until veggies are tender about 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add celery and onions including all the butter to the mixing bowl with cornbread.
  • Sprinkle with sage, poultry seasoning salt and pepper, as desired.
  • Drizzle with homemade turkey broth and stir until well-combined.
  • Start with 1 ½ cups and add more if needed.
  • Stuff cavities of turkey and bake as directed for baking turkey.
  • Place remaining stuffing in a greased one-quart glass baking dish.
  • Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.

Notes

NOTE: If using my Gluten Free Honey Cornbread recipe, reduce ½ cup honey to between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon.
 
NOTE: I put my giblets and water (seasoned with salt and pepper) in a crockpot and cooked on low for about 10 hours overnight, so the broth was ready when I planned to assemble the dressing.
 
NOTE: If you are not stuffing the turkey, place all of the stuffing in a greased 8x12” glass baking dish. You will have to use a minimum of 2 cups broth, probably more so the dressing doesn't dry out while baking. Bake 30-45 minutes or until stuffing is lightly browned and heated through.
 
NOTE: Passive time includes making the cornbread and giblet broth a day in advance.
 
NOTE: To keep this recipe gluten free, you will have to make a gluten free cornbread. If you don't need make a gluten free cornbread, you can use a Jiffy Cornbread Mix or any recipe of cornbread you desire.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 772mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 421IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 146mgIron: 2mg
Keyword bread, casserole, corn, cornbread, dressing, side dish, stuffing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

I served Cornbread Dressing with Turkey & Gravy, Squash and Carrot Casserole and Biscuits. We also had Greek Salad. Not traditional, perhaps, but a salad we love! 🙂

Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Add gravy and you’re good to go!

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Sausage Apple Stuffing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #stuffing is the perfect #sidedish for #holidays like #Christmas, #Thanksgiving or #Easter.

Tips For Preparing Holiday Turkey

Tips For Preparing Holiday Turkey | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen
Cornbread Dressing | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | My Mom's fantastic #cornbread #stuffing recipe. Great for the #holidays. #glutenfree

Cornbread Dressing

Teresa Ambra
Cornbread Dressing is lip-smacking good! This delicious stuffing is great for the holidays especially for those of you who enjoy a little bit of the South in your food. This version is gluten free and uses celery, onions & lots of herbs for fantastic flavor. Stuff the turkey or bake in a casserole dish.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern
Servings 16
Calories 358 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9×13" glass baking dish to bake the cornbread in
  • 1 sharp knife to cube cornbread and cut vegetables
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large sauce pot with lid to cook off turkey giblets
  • 2 large skillets
  • 1 one-quart casserole dish

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 cups cornbread cubed (don’t use a sweet cornbread)
  • 2 cups celery diced
  • 2 large onions diced
  • 1 tsp. rubbed sage
  • 2 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
  • 1 tsp. sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
  • 2 cups homemade turkey giblet broth (or chicken broth), or more if needed
  • 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper or as desired

Instructions
 

  • Prepare cornbread a day in advance if possible.
  • After cooled, allow cornbread to stale – a day if possible.
  • When ready to begin preparation, cube cornbread and place in a large mixing bowl.
  • Set aside.
  • Remove giblets from turkey and place in large pot filled with water.
  • Salt and pepper the water generously.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer an hour or two until a rich broth has formed.
  • (You may have to continue adding water if it boils down too much).
  • Set aside.
  • Divide butter in half and place in two large 10-12” skillets.
  • Turn skillets on low to medium heat.
  • Place onions in one skillet and celery in the other.
  • Sauté until veggies are tender about 10-15 minutes.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add celery and onions including all the butter to the mixing bowl with cornbread.
  • Sprinkle with sage, poultry seasoning salt and pepper, as desired.
  • Drizzle with homemade turkey broth and stir until well-combined.
  • Start with 1 ½ cups and add more if needed.
  • Stuff cavities of turkey and bake as directed for baking turkey.
  • Place remaining stuffing in a greased one-quart glass baking dish.
  • Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.

Notes

NOTE: If using my Gluten Free Honey Cornbread recipe, reduce ½ cup honey to between 1 teaspoon and 1 tablespoon.
 
NOTE: I put my giblets and water (seasoned with salt and pepper) in a crockpot and cooked on low for about 10 hours overnight, so the broth was ready when I planned to assemble the dressing.
 
NOTE: If you are not stuffing the turkey, place all of the stuffing in a greased 8×12” glass baking dish. You will have to use a minimum of 2 cups broth, probably more so the dressing doesn’t dry out while baking. Bake 30-45 minutes or until stuffing is lightly browned and heated through.
 
NOTE: Passive time includes making the cornbread and giblet broth a day in advance.
 
NOTE: To keep this recipe gluten free, you will have to make a gluten free cornbread. If you don’t need make a gluten free cornbread, you can use a Jiffy Cornbread Mix or any recipe of cornbread you desire.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 7gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 66mgSodium: 772mgPotassium: 196mgFiber: 3gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 421IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 146mgIron: 2mg
Keyword bread, casserole, corn, cornbread, dressing, side dish, stuffing
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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