Best 5 Classic Southern Cornbread Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

In the realm of Southern cuisine, cornbread reigns supreme as a delectable and versatile dish. Its golden-brown crust and moist, slightly sweet interior have captivated taste buds for generations. This iconic bread holds a special place in American culinary history, tracing its roots back to Native American traditions and evolving through the hands of enslaved African Americans. Cornbread's versatility extends beyond its traditional role as a savory side dish, as it can be transformed into a sweet treat or even a main course. This article presents a collection of classic Southern cornbread recipes, each offering a unique twist on this beloved staple. From the classic Buttermilk Cornbread, with its tangy flavor and fluffy texture, to the savory Jalapeño Cornbread, bursting with spicy heat, and the decadent Chocolate Chip Cornbread, a sweet and indulgent delight, these recipes cater to a range of preferences. Embark on a culinary journey through the heart of Southern cooking and discover the endless possibilities of cornbread.

Let's cook with our recipes!

CLASSIC SOUTHERN CORNBREAD



Classic Southern Cornbread image

This is a delicious recipe for cornbread, a perfect side dish for any Southern-inspired meal.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Pasta and Grains

Yield Makes one 10-inch cornbread

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 1/3 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
2 1/2 cups buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, slightly beaten, at room temperature
2 jalapeno chiles, seeded and ribs removed, minced (optional)
2 cups yellow cornmeal

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees. When hot, heat a 10-inch cast iron skillet in oven until very hot, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Combine cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside. Combine all but about 1 teaspoon of the butter, buttermilk, and egg. Stir into the dry ingredients just until blended. Stir in chiles, if desired.
  • Remove skillet from oven to a trivet or hot pad. Using a pastry brush, quickly coat pan with the remaining teaspoon of melted butter.
  • Pour batter into pan, filling each triangle about 2/3 full. Bake until golden brown, 35 to 40 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes. Remove from pan, cool completely on rack.

CLASSIC CORNBREAD



Classic Cornbread image

Matt and Amy Bell, owners of the restaurant South on Main, usually avoid cooking contests. But the cornbread festival was different. "It's more of a community project than a competition," Matt says. "And it's directly outside the restaurant." The pair won the traditional category with their classic cornbread, a recipe developed by Amy's grandmother Nellie Mae. "You don't dare mess with family recipes," Matt says. "And if you do, you better make sure they can't tell."

Provided by Food Network

Categories     side-dish

Time 40m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1/3 cup vegetable oil, plus more for the baking dish
1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 cup buttermilk

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F and brush a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with vegetable oil.
  • Whisk the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk the egg, vegetable oil and buttermilk, then fold into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined.
  • Transfer the batter to the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to a rack and let cool 15 minutes before serving.

SOUTHERN CORNBREAD



Southern Cornbread image

This classic, savory Southern cornbread is just begging for a bowl of chili or a plate of ribs. Made with all cornmeal, straight buttermilk, and no added sugar (like it should be!) in a cast iron skillet, this cornbread is an easy dinner side dish.

Provided by Elise Bauer

Categories     Side Dish     Baking     Budget     Comfort Food     Pantry Meal     Bread     Cornbread     Cornmeal     Southern

Time 35m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 tablespoon bacon drippings
2 cups cornmeal OR 1 1/2 cups cornmeal and 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
1 large egg (optional)
1 1/4 cups buttermilk
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Steps:

  • Make the batter: Whisk together all the dry ingredients (cornmeal, baking soda, salt, sugar if using) in a large bowl. In another bowl, beat the egg (if using) and buttermilk until combined, then mix that into the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir in the melted butter.
  • Rest bread in skillet, then serve: Let the bread rest for 10 to 30 minutes in the skillet before cutting it into wedges and serving. To store, let the cornbread cool, then remove from pan and wrap in plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container. Store at room temp for 2 to 3 days To avoid burning your hand because you've forgotten the pan is hot, I recommend placing a pot holder on the pan's handle while the cornbread is resting, or cooling the handle down a bit with an ice cube.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 232 kcal, Carbohydrate 27 g, Cholesterol 49 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 5 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 518 mg, Sugar 4 g, Fat 12 g, ServingSize Makes 8 servings, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

REAL SOUTHERN CORNBREAD



Real Southern Cornbread image

This is the real stuff! Find your cast iron skillet and whip up a batch of cornbread tonight!

Provided by Jason

Categories     Bread     Quick Bread Recipes     Cornbread Recipes

Time 1h

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 8

2 cups cornmeal
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons baking powder
2 eggs
1 cup margarine, melted
4 cups buttermilk
¼ cup corn oil

Steps:

  • In a large bowl mix together the corn meal, flour, salt, and baking powder.
  • In a separate bowl mix together the eggs, butter, and buttermilk. Add to the dry ingredients and stir until well blended.
  • Heat a dry 12 inch cast iron skillet over high heat for 2 minutes. Add corn oil to skillet, swirl oil around to coat bottom and sides. Leave remaining oil in pan. Return to high heat for 1 minute.
  • Pour the cornbread batter into the skillet and cook on high heat until bubbles start to form in the center. Remove from stove.
  • Bake in a preheated 400 degree F (200 degree C) oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 369.4 calories, Carbohydrate 36.3 g, Cholesterol 34.3 mg, Fat 22 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 7.7 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 620.9 mg, Sugar 4.3 g

OLD FASHIONED SOUTHERN CORNBREAD



Old Fashioned Southern Cornbread image

Got this recipe from the Lodge Cast Iron Cookbook, made in my cast iron skillet. I added the sugar to it; most cooks in the South refuse to put sugar in their cornbread. This uses plain self-rising cornmeal, no flour added.

Provided by Susan Feliciano

Categories     Other Side Dishes

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 5

2 Tbsp bacon grease or butter
1 c self-rising cornmeal
2 Tbsp sugar
1 egg
3/4 c buttermilk

Steps:

  • 1. Place the bacon grease or butter in the bottom of a well-seasoned cast iron skillet. Preheat it at 425°F for 10 minutes.
  • 2. Meanwhile, mix up batter: Stir together cornmeal, sugar, egg, and buttermilk to a thin batter.
  • 3. When skillet is preheated, pour batter into skillet. It will sizzle and start to form a crust - don't be alarmed. Bake the skillet of cornbread at 425°F about 20-23 minutes, until nicely browned.
  • 4. Cut into wedges. Serve immediately with lots of butter.

Tips:

  • Use fresh cornmeal: Fresh cornmeal will give your cornbread a more flavorful and moist texture. If you can't find fresh cornmeal, you can use store-bought cornmeal, but be sure to check the expiration date.
  • Don't overmix the batter: Overmixing the batter will make your cornbread tough. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
  • Let the batter rest: Letting the batter rest for a few minutes before baking will help it to develop a better flavor and texture.
  • Bake the cornbread in a hot oven: A hot oven will help the cornbread to rise and brown properly. Preheat your oven to the temperature specified in the recipe before baking.
  • Serve the cornbread warm: Cornbread is best served warm. You can reheat it in the oven or microwave if necessary.

Conclusion:

Classic Southern cornbread is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served with a variety of meals. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. With a few simple tips, you can make perfect cornbread every time. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy side dish, give classic Southern cornbread a try!

Related Topics