This Bacon Cornbread Stuffing combines crispy bacon, savory cornbread, fresh herbs, and a touch of sage for a flavorful holiday side dish. Perfect for pairing with turkey or chicken, this stuffing is sure to impress your guests.
Cornbread: 1 pan8-inch square, cut into ½-inch cubes
White Bread: 8 slicescut into ½-inch cubes
Bacon: 4 slicescut into 1-inch pieces
Yellow Onion: 1 smalldiced
Celery: 2 stalksdiced medium
Garlic: 2 clovesminced
Fresh Sage: 1 tablespoonfinely chopped
Eggs: 2 largelightly beaten
Chicken Broth: 2 ¾ cups
Fresh Parsley: ½ cupchopped
Salt: 1 ½ teaspoonsor to taste
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoonor to taste
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Instructions
Prepare the Bread Cubes:
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the cornbread and white bread cubes evenly across two rimmed baking sheets. Bake until the bread is dry and golden, approximately 15 minutes. Set aside to cool.
Cook the Bacon and Vegetables:
In a medium skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy, about 5 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside. In the same skillet, add the diced onion, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and the celery softens, approximately 4 minutes. Stir in the chopped sage and remove from heat.
Combine the Ingredients:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the toasted bread cubes, cooked bacon, sautéed vegetables, beaten eggs, chicken broth, parsley, salt, and pepper. Toss the mixture until all ingredients are well combined. Allow it to sit for 5 minutes to absorb the flavors, then toss again to ensure even distribution.
Reserve Stuffing for Turkey (Optional):
If using the stuffing for turkey, reserve 4 ½ cups of the mixture for stuffing the bird.
Bake the Stuffing:
Transfer the remaining stuffing to a greased 9-inch square baking dish. Spread it evenly and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Serve:
Remove the stuffing from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving. Garnish with additional parsley, if desired, for a fresh touch.
Notes
To adapt this recipe for a gluten-free diet, substitute the cornbread and white bread with certified gluten-free varieties. Ensure that the chicken broth and any seasonings used are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.Enjoy this savory stuffing as a centerpiece for your next holiday meal!