Homemade Bacon Cornbread Stuffing Recipe

Whether you are looking for the best cornbread stuffing to make for Thanksgiving, or are just in the mood for some delicious homemade cornbread dressing, this bacon and cornbread stuffing is what you’ve been looking for! This cornbread stuffing with bacon uses actual cornbread that is toasted and soaked in half and half, combined with onions, celery, bacons, same, and thyme for a recipe that is so good it could be the main dish!

bacon and cornbread stuffing

I don’t know about you, but growing up I wasn’t too impressed with the stuffing served with Turkey. It seemed more like an after thought than a yummy side dish. But stuffing is tradition so when I got married and made my own thanksgiving cornbread stuffing recipe I knew I needed to serve it, but I was determined it would be delicious! So after several different tries with various options over the years this yummy cornbread stuffing has been our families tradition. My kids beg for my best cornbread dressing recipe as it is so delicious and flavorful it deserves a spot of honor next to the turkey! You will love that you can make it with homemade cornbread or convenient jiffy cornbread dressing. Plus make it head and keep refrigerated for a no stress meal.

We have lots more yummy recipes and family favorite thanksgiving recipes to choose from! Don’t miss our apple snicker salad recipe, best pumpkin pie recipe, broccoli cauliflower cashew salad, and cranberry pineapple relish recipe.

cornbread stuffing with bacon

All you need to make this yummy stuffing recipe are a few common ingredients:

• 9″ pan of baked cornbread – make from scratch or use 2 x 8.5 oz boxes corn muffin mixes
• 2 ribs celery, chopped
• 1 ¾ cup chicken broth
• 8 oz sliced chestnuts can, drained and chopped
• 1 cup half & half
• 2 TAB fresh thyme
• 2 large eggs
• 1 TAB fresh sage
• ¾ lb bacon, cooked and cut into pieces
• 1 cup dried cranberries (i.e. craisins)
• 2 TAB butter
• ½ cup fresh parsley (or 1 Tablespoon dried)
• 1 large onion, chopped
• salt & pepper

bacon cornbread stuffing

Start by preparing and baking your cornbread according to package directions.

cornbread bacon stuffing

Preheat oven to 325.  After the cornbread has cooked, let it cool down and then cut or break it into 1” cubes. In large baking dish arrange cornbread in single layer and toast 10-15 minutes, turning once.

cornbread dressing with bacon

Meanwhile, in a large bowl whisk together the chicken broth, half and half, and eggs. Once tasted, fold the cornbread pieces into the wet mixture and soak for 10 minutes.

cornbread stuffing

In the meantime, in a large skillet cook bacon. Set the bacon aside, but reserve the drippings.

cornbread and bacon stuffing

Add butter to your skillet of drippings, then add onion and celery. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 10 minutes.

cornbread chestnut stuffing

Stir in chestnuts, thyme, and sage until combined.

bacon cornbread dressing

In a 9 x 13 pan combine the soaked cornbread, skillet mixture, cranberries, parsley, bacon, and salt & pepper.

Note: soaked bread will look mushy & you may think it won’t work – it will!!

cornbread bacon dressing

Cover; let stand for 30 minutes or refrigerate overnight.

savory cornbread stuffing

Preheated oven to 350 F. Butter foil and place butter side towards cornbread and cover the dish. Bake the stuffing  for 40 minutes. Uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until golden.

thanksgiving cornbread stuffing recipe

This cornbread is seriously delicious! The comfort of cornbread, pop of bacon flavor, and classic sage and thyme combine for a timeless recipe that will become your family favorite tradition!

make ahead cornbread stuffing

I love that it is light and fluffy and moist without being dry like some stuffing recipes get.

cornbread stuffing recipe

Each bite is filled with flavor from seasonal corn and cranberries to crisp chestnuts and full-flavored bacon! The seasoning compliments it so well!

cornbread stuffing recipes

This homemade cornbread stuffing is so good you will almost want to skip the other side dishes to make sure you have room for seconds… or thirds!

 

corn bread stuffing

Seriously this homemade bacon cornbread stuffing recipe is the BEST! The bacon, sage, and toasted corn bread make this a MUST side dish for Thanksgiving! Plus you can make it ahead!