How to Make Southern Cornbread: Quick & Delicious

I still remember the first time I baked a golden Southern cornbread in my grandmother’s kitchen—the smell of butter and cornmeal filling the air, promising a comforting family meal. Here at Eminent Recipes, I love sharing old fashioned Southern cornbread recipes that are quick, easy, and perfect for busy weeknights. Whether you prefer a sweet Southern cornbread recipe or a classic black Southern cornbread recipe, this dish is customizable and always satisfying.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

If you’ve ever wanted to make the perfect old fashioned southern cornbread, this recipe delivers every time. From the golden crust to the tender, crumbly interior, this southern cornbread recipe brings authentic Southern flavor right to your kitchen. Whether you’re using a southern cornbread mix or making a southern cornbread recipe with buttermilk from scratch, it’s simple, family-friendly, and customizable. This best southern cornbread recipe works for sweet southern cornbread variations, classic black southern cornbread recipes, or even cornbread dressing. With easy-to-find southern cornbread ingredients, you can add corn, cheese, or spices to suit your taste. For busy nights, use a buttermilk substitute if needed, and still get the same moist texture. This southern cornbread recipe with corn is comforting, quick, and perfect for weeknights or holiday meals. Every slice is golden, flavorful, and a reminder of why southern cornbread recipes remain a beloved staple. Your family will love this cornbread recipe again and again.

Ingredients for This Recipe

This southern cornbread recipe combines simple, classic southern cornbread ingredients to create a golden, tender, and flavorful loaf every time. Yellow cornmeal gives the bread its signature texture and slightly sweet, nutty flavor, while all-purpose flour provides structure. Baking powder and baking soda ensure a light, fluffy crumb. Buttermilk (or a buttermilk substitute) adds moisture and tanginess, perfectly balancing the richness of eggs and melted butter. Sugar is optional for a sweet southern cornbread recipe, while add-ins like corn kernels, cheese, or jalapeños can customize this best southern cornbread recipe to your taste. Using a cast-iron skillet enhances the crust, giving it a classic black southern cornbread recipe look. These ingredients make this southern cornbread recipe with corn easy, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknights, special occasions, or even leftover cornbread dressing.

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch skillet or 8×8-inch pan):

For the Cornbread:

1 cup yellow cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1–2 tablespoons sugar (optional for sweet cornbread)
1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice/vinegar)
2 large eggs
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for skillet)

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)
¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 small diced jalapeño for a spicy kick

How to Make This Recipe

Making southern cornbread is simple, whether you’re following a classic black southern cornbread recipe or a sweet southern cornbread recipe. Start with the southern cornbread ingredients, including cornmeal, flour, eggs, melted butter, and buttermilk or a buttermilk substitute. These core ingredients create a tender, flavorful cornbread with a golden crust. Using a southern cornbread mix works for quick preparation, while making a southern cornbread recipe with buttermilk from scratch gives the best southern cornbread recipe texture. Optional add-ins like corn, cheese, or jalapeños enhance the flavor. Preheating a cast-iron skillet or baking pan ensures a perfectly crisp exterior. Following these steps will give you a southern cornbread recipe with corn that is perfect for weeknights, family dinners, or even cornbread dressing during the holidays. This southern cornbread recipe is comforting, customizable, and easy for both beginner and experienced cooks.

🛒 Steps:

Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 8×8-inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar (if using).
In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk (or buttermilk substitute) and eggs until smooth. Stir in melted butter.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently fold until just combined. Add optional corn, cheese, or jalapeños.
Pour batter into prepared skillet or pan. Bake 20–25 minutes for skillet or 25–30 minutes for pan, until golden and a toothpick comes out clean.
Let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm. Perfect for classic black southern cornbread recipes, sweet southern cornbread variations, or southern cornbread recipe with corn.

Expert Cooking Tips

Mastering southern cornbread starts with understanding the southern cornbread ingredients and how they interact. Using the right ratio of cornmeal to flour ensures a tender crumb, while eggs and melted butter add richness and structure. Buttermilk or a buttermilk substitute creates moisture and a slight tang, essential in a classic black southern cornbread recipe. Preheating a cast-iron skillet enhances the golden crust, and adding optional ingredients like corn, cheese, or jalapeños customizes your southern cornbread recipe with corn. Whether following a sweet southern cornbread recipe or the best southern cornbread recipe from scratch, these tips guarantee flavorful, moist results every time. Perfect for weeknight meals, family dinners, or cornbread dressing, knowing these tricks elevates any southern cornbread recipe.

💡 Expert Tips:

Always preheat your cast-iron skillet for a crispy golden crust on black southern cornbread recipes.
Use fresh southern cornbread ingredients for the best southern cornbread recipe results.
Fold wet and dry ingredients gently; overmixing can make your southern cornbread recipe dense.
Substitute buttermilk with milk and lemon juice or vinegar if needed; it works in any southern cornbread recipe with buttermilk.
Add optional corn, shredded cheese, or jalapeños to enhance your southern cornbread recipe with corn.
For sweet southern cornbread recipes, include 1–2 tablespoons of sugar for subtle sweetness.
Cool slightly before slicing to preserve the texture of your best southern cornbread recipe.

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This southern cornbread recipe brings the warmth and flavor of classic Southern cooking right to your kitchen. Using simple southern cornbread ingredients like cornmeal, flour, eggs, and buttermilk—or a buttermilk substitute—you can create a tender, golden loaf every time. Whether you follow a black southern cornbread recipe, a sweet southern cornbread recipe, or a southern cornbread recipe with corn, this best southern cornbread recipe is versatile, family-friendly, and perfect for weeknight dinners, holiday cornbread dressing, or any special occasion.

Southern Cornbread

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• Author: Savannah
• Total Time: ~35–40 minutes
• Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

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Description

A classic Southern cornbread with a golden crust and tender, slightly crumbly interior. Perfect as a side for chili, soups, or traditional Southern meals, this cornbread can be made sweet or savory and baked in a skillet for authentic flavor.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

🛒 Ingredients (for one 9-inch skillet or 8×8-inch pan):

For the Cornbread:

• 1 cup yellow cornmeal

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• ½ teaspoon baking soda

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 1–2 tablespoons sugar (optional for sweet cornbread)

• 1 cup buttermilk (or 1 cup milk + 1 tablespoon lemon juice/vinegar)

• 2 large eggs

• ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for skillet)

Optional Add-ins:

• ½ cup corn kernels (fresh, frozen, or canned)

• ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese

• 1 small diced jalapeño for a spicy kick

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Instructions

📝 Instructions:

Step 1: Prep Oven & Skillet
Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or 8×8-inch baking pan with butter.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and sugar (if using).

Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk buttermilk and eggs until smooth. Stir in melted butter.

Step 4: Combine
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and gently stir until just combined. If using add-ins like corn or cheese, fold in carefully. Do not overmix.

Step 5: Bake
Pour batter into the prepared skillet or pan. Bake 20–25 minutes (skillet) or 25–30 minutes (pan), until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Serve
Let cool slightly, then slice and serve warm. Perfect with butter, honey, or alongside your favorite Southern dishes.

Notes

• Crispier Crust: Preheat the skillet in the oven before adding the batter.
• Make Ahead: Cornbread can be baked a day in advance and reheated in a 350°F oven for 10 minutes.
• Variations: Swap half the cornmeal for white cornmeal for a lighter texture or add sugar for a sweet Southern cornbread.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25–30 minutes
• Category: Side / Bread
• Method: Baked
• Cuisine: Southern / American