Mama'S Old Fashion Dressing
Mama's Old Fashion Dressing offers a savory, hearty flavor with cornbread, bread cubes, and aromatic herbs, perfect for holiday or family gatherings, rich in comfort and tradition.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup shortening ⓘ
- 1 cup cornmeal ⓘ
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon baking powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 2 eggs, beaten ⓘ
- 1 cup buttermilk ⓘ
- 8 slices day old bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped celery ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chopped onion ⓘ
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons poultry seasoning ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons white pepper ⓘ
- 2 teaspoons rubbed sage ⓘ
- 1 to 2 teaspoons ground thyme ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon celery salt ⓘ
- 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted ⓘ
- 3 eggs, beaten ⓘ
Instructions
- Spoon shortening into an 8-inch cast-iron skillet.
- Place the skillet in a 425°F oven for 4 minutes or until hot.
- Combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.
- Add 2 beaten eggs and buttermilk; stir well.
- Spoon the batter into the hot skillet and bake at 425°F for 35 minutes or until browned.
- Cool the cornbread; crumble into a large bowl.
- Add bread cubes, chopped celery, chopped onion, chopped parsley, poultry seasoning, white pepper, rubbed sage, thyme, celery salt, melted butter, and 3 beaten eggs; stir well.
- Spoon the mixture into a lightly greased 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking dish.
- Bake at 325°F for 1 hour or until golden brown.
Tips & Substitutions
For a lighter dressing, consider substituting half of the butter with olive oil. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk. Adjust the seasoning to taste, especially if you prefer a stronger herb flavor. Using day-old bread is essential for the right texture, but you can mix in cornbread for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
This dressing pairs beautifully with roasted chicken or turkey, making it a perfect side for holiday meals. Consider serving it alongside a fresh green salad for a balanced meal. For a comforting twist, serve with Garlic Thai Chicken or alongside creamy mashed potatoes to soak up the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftover dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a baking dish covered with foil to prevent drying out, and warm it in a preheated oven at 325°F for about 20-30 minutes. You can also microwave individual portions for a quick reheating option.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Mama'S Old Fashion Dressing contains roughly 586 calories, with 14g protein, 80g carbohydrates, and 26g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (77% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (39% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (36% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1969mg per serving (86% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this dressing ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dressing a day in advance. Follow the recipe up to the baking stage, then cover and refrigerate the mixture. On the day of serving, allow it to come to room temperature before baking, and it may require an additional 5-10 minutes in the oven.
What can I use instead of cornmeal?
If you don’t have cornmeal, you can substitute it with polenta or finely ground oats for a different texture. Keep in mind that the flavor will change slightly, but it will still result in a delicious dressing.
Is it possible to make this dressing gluten-free?
Absolutely! To make a gluten-free version, replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Be sure to check the labels of all other ingredients to ensure they are gluten-free, especially the baking powder and seasoning mixes.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).