Tennessee Cornbread

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Discover the heartwarming flavors of the South with this classic Tennessee Cornbread recipe, a perfect balance of tender crumb and crispy, golden edges. Made with rich yellow cornmeal, tangy buttermilk, and a hint of sweetness from granulated sugar, this cornbread is baked to perfection in a piping-hot cast iron skillet—ensuring a beautifully caramelized crust. Infused with the irresistible aroma of melted butter and the option of savory bacon drippings, this homemade cornbread is easy to prepare in just 30 minutes and pairs wonderfully with hearty chilis, barbecued meats, or a drizzle of honey. Whether served as a side dish or savored on its own, Tennessee Cornbread brings authentic Southern comfort to your table.

Recipe Information

• Prep Time: 10 min
• Cook Time: 20 min
• Total Time: 30 min
• Servings: 8 servings
• Difficulty: Medium

🥘 Ingredients

10 items

• 1.5 cups yellow cornmeal
• 0.5 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 0.25 teaspoons baking soda
• 0.5 teaspoons salt
• 1.5 cups buttermilk
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
• 2 items large eggs
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or bacon drippings

📝 Instructions

9 steps

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Place a 10-inch cast iron skillet in the oven to heat while you prepare the batter.

2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, melted butter, and eggs until smooth.

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; some lumps are okay.

5. Carefully remove the hot skillet from the oven using oven mitts. Add the vegetable oil or bacon drippings to the skillet, swirling to coat the bottom and sides.

6. Pour the batter into the hot, greased skillet. The batter should sizzle as it touches the skillet, creating a golden crust.

7. Place the skillet back into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

8. Remove the skillet from the oven and allow the cornbread to cool for 5-10 minutes before slicing and serving.

9. Serve warm as a side dish or enjoy on its own with butter or honey.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving (109.8g)

Calories		273
% Daily Value*
Total Fat		12.6 g	16%
	Saturated Fat	5.5 g	27%
	Polyunsaturated Fat	0.1 g
Cholesterol		67 mg	22%
Sodium		430 mg	19%
Total Carbohydrate		34.0 g	12%
	Dietary Fiber	2.3 g	8%
	Total Sugars	5.7 g
Protein		5.8 g	12%
Vitamin D		0.9 mcg	5%
Calcium		63 mg	5%
Iron		1.2 mg	7%
Potassium		127 mg	3%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 911 cal (41.7%%)

Protein: 187 cal (8.6%%)

Carbs: 1087 cal (49.7%%)