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The Best Thanksgiving Dressing in the World

The Best Thanksgiving Dressing in the World

This classic Southern dressing combines crumbly cornbread, day-old white bread, buttery vegetables, sage, and poultry seasoning for a moist holiday casserole with a lightly browned top. It makes approximately 10–12 servings.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 minute
Servings: 10 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Bread Base
  • 1 batch Cornbread, baked in an 8- or 9-inch pan and fully cooled
  • 8 slices White sandwich bread, preferably day-old
Vegetables and Butter
  • 1 large Large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 stalks Celery stalks, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup Butter
Seasonings and Liquid
  • 2 teaspoons Rubbed sage
  • 1 teaspoon Poultry seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
  • 3 large Large eggs, beaten
  • 4 cups Chicken broth, approximately

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Crumble the fully cooled cornbread into a large mixing bowl. Tear the white bread into small pieces and add it to the bowl.
  2. Melt the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery, then sauté for about 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened but not browned.
  3. Pour the sautéed vegetables and all of the melted butter into the bread mixture. Add the rubbed sage, poultry seasoning, salt, and black pepper, and stir until evenly distributed.
  4. Mix in the beaten eggs, taking care to turn the bread mixture thoroughly so the eggs are spread throughout.
  5. Gradually add the chicken broth, stirring after each addition. Use enough broth to make the mixture very moist but not soupy; it should look wetter than you think it needs to be because the bread absorbs liquid during baking.
  6. Transfer the mixture to a greased 9-by-13-inch baking dish and spread it into an even layer. Bake uncovered at 350°F for 35–45 minutes, until the center is set and the top is lightly browned.

Notes

Use day-old or slightly stale white bread and fully cooled cornbread to prevent a gummy texture. For a softer top, cover the baking dish for the first 25–30 minutes, then uncover it to finish. Homemade or low-sodium chicken broth gives you better control over the salt level.