Southern Cornbread Recipe
This Southern cornbread recipe delivers a perfect balance of crispy golden crust and tender, moist crumb. Made with simple ingredients like cornmeal, buttermilk, and a touch of butter, it’s the ideal side dish to accompany your favorite Southern meals like fried chicken, chili, or collard greens.
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
- Optional: ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese for added flavor
- Optional: 1 small jalapeño diced (for a spicy kick)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a cast-iron skillet in the oven while it preheats to ensure it's hot when the batter is added.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the buttermilk, egg, and melted butter or oil until fully combined.
- Gradually pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- If using optional add-ins like cheese or jalapeños, fold them into the batter.
- Carefully remove the preheated skillet from the oven, and coat it with a small amount of butter or oil.
- Pour the batter into the hot skillet, and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cornbread cool in the skillet for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.