Of course! A good Paleo cornbread dressing is all about capturing the classic flavors and textures without the grains, dairy, or refined sugars. Since there’s no actual corn, the “cornbread” base is a cleverly seasoned grain-free bread that mimics the soul of the original.
This recipe is a two-part process, but it’s well worth it. You can make the cornbread ahead of time to break up the work.
Part 1: The “Cornbread” Base
This savory, slightly sweet bread forms the foundation of your dressing.
Ingredients:
· 2 cups blanched almond flour
· ⅓ cup coconut flour
· ¼ cup arrowroot flour or tapioca flour
· 1 tsp baking soda
· ½ tsp sea salt
· 2 tsp poultry seasoning (divided)
· 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or other paleo milk
· 3 large eggs
· ¼ cup pure maple syrup or raw honey
· ¼ cup melted coconut oil or avocado oil
· 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
Instructions:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8×8 inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the almond flour, coconut flour, arrowroot flour, baking soda, salt, and 1 teaspoon of the poultry seasoning.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and apple cider vinegar.
- Combine: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool & Crumble: Let the cornbread cool completely in the pan. Once cool, crumble it into a large bowl. For best results, you can spread the crumbs on a baking sheet and let them sit out, uncovered, for a few hours or overnight to get a bit stale and dry. This prevents the dressing from being mushy.
Part 2: The Dressing Assembly
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
Servings: 6-8
Ingredients for the Dressing:
· 1 batch of paleo cornbread, crumbled (from above)
· 2 tbsp avocado oil or ghee
· 1 large onion, diced
· 3 celery stalks, diced
· 2 cloves garlic, minced
· 2 tsp poultry seasoning
· 1 tsp dried sage
· ½ tsp dried thyme
· ½ tsp black pepper
· ¾ cup paleo-friendly chicken or turkey broth
· 2 large eggs, beaten
· ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
· Sea salt to taste
Instructions:
- Sauté Aromatics: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the avocado oil. Add the diced onion and celery and sauté for 6-8 minutes, until softened. Add the minced garlic, poultry seasoning, sage, thyme, and black pepper. Cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.
- Combine in a Large Bowl: In the large bowl with the crumbled cornbread, add the sautéed vegetable and herb mixture. Pour in the broth, beaten eggs, and fresh parsley. Mix very well until everything is evenly moistened and combined. If the mixture seems too dry, add a little more broth, one tablespoon at a time. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
- Bake: Transfer the dressing mixture to a greased 9×9 inch or similar sized baking dish. Spread it out evenly and press down lightly.
- Bake to Perfection: Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then, remove the foil and bake for another 20-25 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crisp around the edges.
- Rest and Serve: Let the dressing rest for 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows it to set and makes it easier to scoop.
Tips for Success:
· Make-Ahead Magic: The cornbread can be made 2-3 days in advance. Crumble it and leave it uncovered to stale. You can also sauté the vegetables a day ahead.
· Texture is Key: The goal is a moist but not soggy dressing. The staler your cornbread crumbs are, the more broth they can absorb without becoming mushy.
· Customize It: Feel free to add cooked and crumbled paleo sausage, chopped apples, or toasted pecans/walnuts for extra flavor and texture.
· Ghee is Great: While not strictly Paleo if you’re avoiding dairy, ghee is often well-tolerated and adds a fantastic, buttery flavor.
Enjoy your delicious, grain-free holiday centerpiece! It’s hearty, flavorful, and satisfying for everyone at the table.