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Southern Cornbread Recipe is a perfect cornbread recipe to serve with your favorite soups and stews. Top with butter and honey for a delicious side dish.

A slice of moist southern cornbread is topped with a drizzle of honey being poured from a wooden honey dipper. A fork rests beside the cornbread recipe on a white plate, and a striped cloth is visible in the background.
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Cornbread is a must when making Slow Cooker Venison Chili and Pumpkin Chili Recipe. It is loaded with savory flavors and even better crumbled to top these easy chili recipes.

If you prefer a sweeter cornbread, try this Best Jiffy Cornbread Recipe. Cornbread bakes fluffy, moist and with a ton of flavor in a cast iron skillet lined with bacon grease.

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Cornbread Recipe

I love making cornbread because of the simple ingredients and how easy it is to prepare. You can serve this cornbread just as it is or we love to top with melted butter, honey, or maple syrup.

Because it is baked in a cast iron skillet every slice has a crispy edges and a soft center. Make this classic cornbread the next time you want to change up your cornbread recipe.

Ingredients

A Southern cornbread recipe comes to life with a top view of its ingredients on a light surface: a bowl of cornmeal, two eggs in a bowl, a glass of milk, rich cream, savory butter, and even canned mushrooms.
  • Self-Rising Cornmeal Mix – Gives the cornbread a fluffy texture
  • Buttermilk and Milk – Keep the cornbread moist
  • Bacon Grease – You can substitute the bacon grease with vegetable oil for a different flavor.

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.

Variations Ideas

  • Sweeter Cornbread – For a hint of sweetness, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients.
  • Add Cheese – You can easily add in shredded cheese for a delicious variations.

How to Make Southern Cornbread

  • Step 1 – Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats.
A glass bowl holds ingredients for a classic Southern cornbread recipe: milk, cornmeal, two eggs, and melted butter. A spatula with a wooden handle rests on the bowl, while a checked kitchen towel is draped elegantly on the side.

Step 2 – In a large mixing bowl, whisk self-rising cornmeal, buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter until well combined.

A black cast iron skillet with melting butter sits on a light surface, ready for the perfect Southern cornbread. A checked kitchen towel is partially visible beside the skillet, adding a touch of rustic charm to this Southern cooking scene.

Step 3 – Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and add the bacon drippings, swirling to coat the bottom and sides of the pan.

Cornbread batter in a clear bowl with the leftover grease being mixed in the batter

Step 4 – Pour the excess drippings into the batter and stir quickly to incorporate.

A black cast iron skillet filled with freshly baked Southern cornbread sits on a light gray surface. A white kitchen towel with a black grid pattern is draped next to it. The Southern recipe results in cornbread that appears golden and slightly textured on top.

Step 5 – Pour the mixture into the hot skillet. It should sizzle as it hits the pan.

  • Step 6 – Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Step 7 – Let cool in the skillet for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Expert Tips

  • Prepare Skillet – For the best southern-style cornbread make sure to pre-heat the cast iron skillet.
  • Bacon Grease – My mom taught me to save my bacon grease after cooking it on the stovetop. We love using the leftover grease to give this cornbread amazing flavor.
  • Baking Time – When cooking the cornbread, we like to use a toothpick to ensure that the cornbread is fully cooked. Insert the toothpick in the center of the cornbread, if it comes out clean then the cornbread is finished cooking.
A golden Southern cornbread topped with a pat of butter sits in a black skillet. Beside it, a cutting utensil rests on a checkered cloth. In the background, there's a dish with butter and a small bowl filled with honey and a honey dipper, ready to complete this classic recipe's flavor harmony.

Serving Suggestions

This classic southern cornbread recipe is the perfect side dish for any main dish recipe. We love to serve with Crock Pot Beef Stew Recipe, Beans in a Crock Pot, Fried Chicken Breasts and White Chicken Taco Chili Recipe.

The crispy crust makes it a delicious addition to these 54 Easy Crock Pot Soup Recipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between cornbread and southern cornbread?

The main difference between cornbread and southern cornbread is the amount of sugar that is added. Southern cornbread usually is made without sugar or very little. Southern cornbread has a savory flavor and usually made with bacon grease.

What is the Best Skillet to Make Southern Cornbread?

This cornbread recipe is best made in a hot cast iron skillet. It gives the cornbread the best texture and it for the skillet is preheated it cooks the cornbread quickly.

How to Store Leftover Cornbread

Store the leftovers in the refrigerator or at room temperature in an airtight container. The leftovers will last for up to 3-4 days.

Can I Freeze Cornbread?

Cornbread can easily be place in a freezer safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. You can also slice the cornbread and wrap in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil to freeze so you can take out what you need.

A slice of Southern cornbread with a drizzle of honey and a pat of butter melting on top. It is served on a white plate with a fork, and another piece of this classic Southern recipe is visible in the background on a separate plate.

More Easy Cornbread Recipes

We love to hear from you. If you make Southern Cornbread Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.

Review Pin Print
A sliced Southern cornbread in a cast-iron skillet with a pat of butter melting on top. One slice is being lifted out with a spatula. Nearby are a checkered cloth, a dish of butter, and a small bowl of honey, adding charm to this classic Southern recipe scene.

Southern Cornbread Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Southern Cornbread Recipe is a perfect cornbread recipe to serve with your favorite soups and stews. Top with butter and honey for a delicious side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 8
Cuisine American
Course Side Dish
Calories 288
Author Carrie Barnard

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 450°F. Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats.
  • In a large bowl, mix self-rising cornmeal, buttermilk, milk, eggs, and melted butter until well combined.
  • Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven and add the bacon drippings, swirling to coat the bottom and sides of the pan.
  • Pour the excess drippings into the batter and stir quickly to incorporate.
  • Pour the batter into the hot skillet. It should sizzle as it hits the pan.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Let cool in the skillet for 5 minutes before slicing and serving.

Recipe Notes

For a sweeter cornbread, add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the dry ingredients.
You can substitute the bacon grease with vegetable oil for a different flavor.
Store any leftover cornbread in an airtight container or bag at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 288kcal, Carbohydrates 31g, Protein 7g, Fat 15g, Saturated Fat 6g, Polyunsaturated Fat 2g, Monounsaturated Fat 6g, Trans Fat 0.1g, Cholesterol 61mg, Sodium 88mg, Potassium 207mg, Fiber 4g, Sugar 3g, Vitamin A 221IU, Calcium 63mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

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5 from 1 vote

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Comments

  1. Carrie Barnard says:

    James – I’m so sorry for your loss! I recommend that you purchase a smaller crock pot (3-4 quarts) and check out all of our amazing crock pot recipes. You can reduce these recipes in half and cook them in a smaller crock pot and you should have enough for yourself for 1 meal and 1 leftover meal as well. I’m so glad that you are here and have found my site. I hope you enjoy the recipes!

  2. James Foster says:

    Dear Carrie
    Do you have a book of “one consumer” recipes? For the past sixty years, my wife (who was an excellent cook) ran me out of the kitchen because ‘too many cooks spoil the broth.’ I provided the income and she kept me fed. She passed away in late January and I have came to the realization that home cooking (other people’s cooking) is better and cheaper than most restaurant food. However, all of the books in her library of cookbooks are serving six to two dozen people. I don’t mind ‘left-over’s’ now and again but not seven to ten days at a time.

    I have almost all the tools and almost all the ingredients. But I have zero experience. I can boil an egg and make mac & cheese out of the box. but that is about it. What have you got that I can use – small batch, simple???
    Jim

  3. Casey says:

    5 stars
    This cornbread made the perfect side to my beef stew! Had the best flavor.