Easy Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix

Elevate your holiday table with delicious Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix. This simple and foolproof recipe delivers a perfect blend of savory flavors and moist texture, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.

The side dishes are always the best part of a Thanksgiving table, or any holiday meal! This recipe is based on a family recipe for cornbread stuffing recipe that we have been making for many, many years.

It was always my favorite, and once the holiday season rolls around, this is one recipe I am always excited to make to enjoy with our Thanksgiving turkey!

Why You'll Love This Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix

• It's easy to make! Even though we are baking our own cornbread from boxes of Jiffy cornbread mix, this recipe is surprisingly easy and full of flavor. The cornbread only takes a few ingredients to make and the other steps of the recipe can be made while the cornbread cooks.
• It can be made ahead of time! When the holidays roll around, you don't want to be cooking away in the kitchen while the rest of the family is enjoying themselves. Make this recipe ahead of time, keep it in the refrigerator, and then bake it off the day you need it.
• It's a great addition to your table on Thanksgiving day! This goes perfect with Italian sausage stuffing, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, and turkey!

Dressing vs. Stuffing

Dressing is a little different than your typical stuffing, that's because we aren't stuffing it in the turkey, you're baking it in a baking dish instead. That's really the only difference. You can stuff this into the cavity of the turkey, but I don't recommend it.

Ingredients to Gather

You only need a few simple ingredients in a few simple steps to make this perfect side dish!

• Jiffy corn muffin mix. These are easily found in the grocery store in the baking aisle. The muffin mix has cornmeal, leavening agents, and a touch of sweetness already in it.
• Eggs and milk. You'll need these to make the cornbread.
• White bread. If you have stale white bread, that's best. Even though this is a cornbread stuffing, the white bread helps lighten the dressing. Cornbread can be quite dense, so the stale bread helps loosen up the texture and not make it so heavy.
• Chicken broth. You'll need a liquid to make this dressing stay together. If you have homemade chicken broth, use that. Chicken stock, turkey stock, or a vegetable broth are all great options in place of chicken broth.
• Fresh herbs. I think the fresh herbs really make this cornbread stuffing so delicious! We'll be using fresh parsley, fresh thyme, and fresh sage. A classic mixture for poultry seasoning that goes perfectly in stuffing.

Substitutions and Variations

• Jiffy mix is easy to use, but you don't have to use it. You can make your own homemade cornbread instead or even use store bought premade cornbread! I love sourdough cornbread, Instant pot cornbread, or kefir corn bread. Cut it into pieces and mix that into the rest of the ingredients.
• Add some meat! Cook up some pork sausage, Italian sweet sausage, or bacon and add that to the cornbread mixture to make this a heartier dish.
• If you do not have fresh herbs, you can use dried herbs instead. Use 1 tablespoon of dried herbs for every ½ cup of fresh herbs.
• To bulk up this cornbread dressing even more, feel free to add more veggies. Sauté mushrooms, red peppers, green peppers, red onion, chopped zucchini, or diced broccoli for some extra vegetables in your Thanksgiving menu.

How To Make Cornbread Dressing with Jiffy Mix

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Grease an 8x8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.

In a large bowl, open the boxes of cornbread and add the eggs and milk. Mix well until fully combined. Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean. Allow the cornbread to cool to room temperature.

While the cornbread cools, melt the stick of butter over medium heat in a large skillet. Chop the onions and celery and add them to the large skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes or until softened. Chop the fresh herbs and add them to the mixture in the last minute. Season with salt and black pepper. Remove from the heat.

Grease a 9x13 inch casserole dish with cooking spray or butter. Set that aside. Cut the white bread into small pieces and add the bread pieces to a large mixing bowl.

Cut the cornbread into small pieces and add it to the bowl. Pour the chicken broth over the cornbread and mix all the ingredients together. Add the cornbread mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes or until the top is golden brown and heated through.

Tips and Tricks

• Make sure to spray the baking dish with nonstick cooking spray or grease it with butter. You don't want the dressing or the cornbread sticking to pans that they are baking in.
• To make this vegetarian, use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
• The sweet cornbread does not have to cool completely before you cut it into pieces. It will fall apart as you mix it in the large mixing bowl. When you can handle the cornbread, then you can cut it and mix it with the rest of the ingredients.
• To save even more time, make the cornbread 2-3 days in advance and then mix it with the rest of the ingredients when you are ready to bake the stuffing.

Can I Stuff This Cornbread Dressing Into a Turkey?

The decision to stuff a turkey with stuffing depends on personal preference and safety considerations. While many people traditionally cook stuffing inside the turkey for added flavor, make sure to consider these important factors:

1. Safety Concerns: Stuffing the turkey means that both the turkey and the stuffing must reach a safe internal temperature to prevent the risk of foodborne illness. The stuffing must reach at least 165°F (74°C) to be considered safe. If the turkey is not cooked thoroughly, it can pose a risk, as the center of the stuffing may not reach a safe temperature in time.
2. Cooking Time: Cooking a stuffed turkey generally takes longer than cooking one without stuffing. This is because the stuffing absorbs heat, and the turkey's interior must reach the safe temperature, extending the overall cooking time.
3. Even Cooking: Ensuring that the turkey and the stuffing cook evenly can be a challenge. The interior of the turkey needs to reach a safe temperature without overcooking the exterior.
4. Texture and Flavor: Cooking the stuffing inside the turkey allows it to absorb the juices and flavors from the bird, imparting a unique taste and texture. Some people love this aspect of traditional turkey stuffing.

If you choose to stuff the turkey, make sure to:

• Thoroughly cook the stuffing until it reaches a safe internal temperature.
• Stuff the turkey just before cooking to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.
• Monitor the turkey's internal temperature to ensure both the turkey and the stuffing are safely cooked.

I find it easier to simply cook the stuffing separately from the turkey. This stuffing cooks perfectly in a separate baking dish and bakes separately from the turkey.

Storage Tips

Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can make Stuffing Muffins with the leftovers, or you can heat them up in the microwave or oven.

You can make this cornbread stuffing up to 3 days in advance. Make the dressing completely and add it to a 9x13 inch pan. Cover it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. When you are ready to bake it, remove the foil and bake for 30-40 minutes or until heated through.

This cornbread stuffing is perfect to freeze too! Make the stuffing and add it to a freezer safe baking dish. Cover it with aluminum foil and freeze it up to 3 months in advance. Take it out of the freezer and place it in the refrigerator to defrost and then bake it right before you are ready to serve it.

Recipe FAQs

More Thanksgiving Recipes

• Sweet Potato Casserole with Walnuts
• Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cranberries
• Instant Pot Cranberry Sauce
• Brioche Dinner Rolls