Momma’s homemade cornbread dressing with turkey gravy is perfectly seasoned, deliciously moist and will become one of the most anticipated side dishes on your Thanksgiving table year after year!!
Happy “8 Days Before Thanksgiving”!!! Eeeek!!! Are you getting just as excited as I am???? Now that we have our menu set, I am through the roof with delight! We’re having Smoked Turkey Legs, Mighty Tender Beef Ribs, Southern Style Macaroni and Cheese, Turnip and Mustard Greens {recipe coming soon in my next e-Cookbook, Deliciously Healthy Soulfood}, Sweet Potato Casserole, Rosemary & Garlic Dinner Rolls, Homemade Cranberry Sauce, Sweet Potato Pecan Pie, Peach Dump Pie and Momma’s Cornbread Dressing with Turkey Gravy. Ummm boy!!! I could just CRY with ANTICIPATION!!!
Now I just couldn’t let this Thanksgiving go by without sharing Momma’s Cornbread Dressing with Turkey Gravy recipe. This recipe is such a big hit amongst our family every year. Uncle Jimmie might ask, “Who made that dressing? It was slammin’!!!” {As if he didn’t know that she always makes it…lol!} Daddy always goes in for 2nds & 3rds and Hubby says it’s just awesome and even worth packaging!!! Wow!! Have they convinced you to try it yet?
Let it be known that not just anybody can slay a Cornbread Dressing. It takes skill and precision some may even say. Lol! You add just a little too much sage or poultry seasoning and you may as well just chuck it completely, guys. And you CANNOT forget that flavorful and delectable Turkey Gravy to boot. They are certainly two peas in a pod!! One year, the grocery store was out of turkey wings, which is what Momma has always used over the years to make her gravy. We were forced to make it with turkey thighs and let me tell you that we couldn’t be happier that the grocer wasn’t as prepared as we had hoped. Now the use of juicy turkey thighs are a complete MUST!! So much more flavor and so so tender over that cornbread dressing. We musn’t forget the Homemade Cranberry Sauce that send this dish straight through the roof!! Ooooh chile!!! I’m salivating in ANTICIPATION already because I just can’t wait for all of this deliciousness to take place in just 8 short days!
Now anticipation or hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen, right? Our hope gets us through the toughest times in life. It helps to sustain us and look foward to our innermost dreams coming to past and it’s based on faith and trust in the Lord. Romans 15:13 (NLT) states, “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Remember that God can be trusted with our lives. After all, He did create us, right? I thank God that my hope is forever in Him. Say Grace and enjoy!!
Momma's Cornbread Dressing with Turkey Gravy {Video}
Ingredients
- Ingredients for Turkey Gravy below
- 2 lbs. bone-in turkey thighs
- 2 c. diced onion
- 1.5 c. diced celery
- 1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning
- 2 tsp. kosher salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- Just enough water to cover thighs
- 4 c. chicken or turkey broth
- 2 cans Healthy Request Cream of Chicken Soup
- 2 cans Healthy Request Cream of Mushroom Soup
- Ingredients for Buttermilk cornbread below
- 2 c. Aunt Jemima Buttermilk Corn Meal Mix
- 4 T. melted butter
- 2 c. Buttermilk 1 pint
- 2 eggs
- Ingredients for dressing below
- 4 c. Seasoned cornbread stuffing mix croutons I used Trader Joe's and the seasoning pack is separate...when using this brand only add 1/4 c. seasoning packet
- 1 3/4 c. celery
- 1 3/4 c. onion
- 1 T. Italian seasoning
- 1 T. sage
- 1 T. ground thyme
- 1 T. poultry seasoning
- 1 T. oregano
- 2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
- 2 T. melted butter
- Ingredients for Roux below
- 4 T. butter
- 2 T. flour
Instructions
- Start with the turkey for the gravy - In a large pot, add turkey thighs, 2 cups diced onion, 1.5 cups diced celery, poultry seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Add enough water to just cover the thighs. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour or until done and tender.
- Once done remove the thighs and reserve the leftover broth with the cooked celery and onion.
- Remove skin from thighs and rough chop turkey. Set aside. We make ours a day ahead.
- Make the cornbread - Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Grease a cast iron skillet with butter and place in the oven to warm while you mix the ingredients.
- In a medium bowl, combine cornmeal mix, melted butter, buttermilk and eggs. Mix well.
- Pour into skillet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until done. Allow to cool. We make ours a day ahead.
- Make Dressing - Cube cornbread and place into a large bowl and mash.
- Add croutons and mash into cornbread.
- Add celery, onion, Italian seasoning, sage, ground thyme, poultry seasoning, oregano, salt and pepper.
- In a large bowl add chicken or turkey broth to remaining broth mixture made from turkey thighs.
- Combine with cream of chicken and cream of mushroom. Whisk well.
- Add 8-10 cups of this hot soupy broth to cornbread mixture. Mix well. Add 2 T. melted butter and mix well.
- Spray 24 muffin wells and scoop about 1/2 cup of dressing into each well.
- Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until set and browned.
- Make the roux - In a small skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add flour and cook for about a minute.
- Add roux to remaining soupy broth and mix well. Thicken over low-medium heat for about 10 minutes or until thickened. Pour over individual dressing servings and serve with Homemade Cranberry Sauce. Say Grace and enjoy!
Adapted from Momma’s recipe
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