Tennessee Cornbread

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.

Nutriscore Rating: 59/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 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

Directions

Step 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.

Step 2

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

Step 3

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

Step 4

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

Step 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.

Step 6

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

Step 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.

Step 8

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

Step 9

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

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	879.4 grams (879.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2180

Total Fat 106.20g	136%
Saturated Fat 44.40g	222%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.70g
Cholesterol 536mg	179%
Sodium 3387mg	147%
Total Carbohydrate 275.70g	100%
Dietary Fiber 18.10g	65%
Total Sugars 44.40g
Protein 46.60g	93%

Vitamin D 270IU	1352%
Calcium 502mg	39%
Iron 11mg	61%
Potassium 1028mg	22%

*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: 42.6%

Protein: 8.3%

Carbs: 49.1%