Find the perfect pairing for this popular classic side dish.
Do you love cornbread? You’re not alone! This popular and delicious cornmeal-based dish has been around for centuries and is so crave-worthy that you may be trying to find a way to sneak it onto your weekly dinner menu. So, I’m going to help you decide what to eat with cornbread.
Cornbread goes waaaay back to the roots of America. Native Americans learned to dry or roast corn and grind it into cornmeal to create breads, cakes, and even porridge. This knowledge was passed on to the first colonists and actually helped them survive their first years in the United States.
This early introduction of cornbread into our culture is partly why you may see it at the table on Thanksgiving.
Today, cornbread is a classic comfort food, often served alongside a turkey and cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving, or with just about any other complimentary dish. I’m happy to talk all things cornbread with you, including what pairs best!
This Southern favorite is just one delicious side dish that’s become essential as part of a Southern Thanksgiving dinner, but it’s popular across the country (and world) and can be found on dinner tables all year long.
What to Eat with Cornbread
If you’re making a Thanksgiving feast, you’ll probably want to make a classic cornbread recipe and pair it with the holiday sides your family looks forward to (and maybe expects). You could switch things up by offering two varieties of cornbread or adding additional sides or entrees that allow people to still pick the dishes they know and love while also offering the opportunity to try something new.
For example, Brussels sprouts may not be common in your household, or maybe you’ve always wanted to incorporate some Southern . Both would work great with cornbread on the Thanksgiving or holiday table!
Here are some of the best side dishes to pair with cornbread:
- Green beans
- Mashed potatoes
- Candied yams
- Salad
- Deviled eggs
- Collard greens
- Hush puppies
- Pinto beans
- Chili
- Corn pudding
- Cranberry sauce
But as we said, cornbread is a year-round food, and you may be hankering for a side of cornbread with your pork chops, ground beef chili, or oven-fried chicken on a random Tuesday. Plus, everyone celebrates the holidays a little differently. So let’s explore some distinct and delicious cornbread recipes and what different flavors that pair with this common side dish.
These cornbread recipes are varied in their flavors and what they match best with, but you’ll love them for it! They really showcase the versatility of cornbread.
1. Skillet Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread: This great recipe may quickly become the best part of your holiday table!
PAIR THIS WITH:
- Ribs
- Steak
- BBQ Chicken
- Baked beans
- Mexican Chicken Soup
- Pulled Pork
- Mole Chili
2.Gluten-Free Skillet Cornbread: This easy recipe relies on simple ingredients and is the kind of cornbread everyone will enjoy, even if they aren’t gluten-free.
PAIR THIS WITH:
- Gluten-Free Fried Chicken
- Spaghetti and Meatballs. Note: you can make this with gluten-free pasta, and save time by making your meatballs in the air fryer.
- Meatloaf
- Shepherd’s Pie
- Beef Stew
- Grilled Halibut Steaks
3. Vanilla Pumpkin Skillet Cornbread: This sweet cornbread may quickly become your favorite cornbread recipe, and you might have to fight off the whole family to get a piece of this sweet bread before it’s gone!
Okay, hear me out on this one… try it before you knock it!
While this can pair perfectly with any of the above recipes for a savory cornbread side, I prefer learning into the sweetness of it for a truly flavorful dessert.
Reheat it or take it out fresh from the oven and top it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sprinkle with cinnamon and drizzle with maple syrup.
Tip: Eat it out of the sight of others in case they want some.
Looking to enjoy cornbread for other meals? Try these delicious recipes for breakfast:
- Maple Bacon Skillet Cornbread
- Gluten Free Corn Muffins
As far as what to serve on top of cornbread — most people like to eat it with butter or jam. Some cornbread enthusiasts add a dollop of sour cream cheddar cheese, while others refuse to eat it without a bowl of chili or hearty soup to dip it in.
How Long Does Cornbread Last in the Fridge?
In the 17th century, traditional cornbread consisted of the available ingredients: cornmeal, water, and salt. It was baked over a fire or in a hearth, which is reminiscent of our modern-day skillet recipes.
This early form of Native American cornbread traveled well and lasted a long time, so messengers often brought it along to travel between communities. It’s hard to imagine a time when everything wasn’t as grab-and-go convenient — I think my kids might pass out if they didn’t have pre-wrapped granola bars or imported fruit for a car ride, but this was a MUCH different world.
And because it is now a very different place to live, eat, and bake, cornbread contains many more ingredients that call for it to be stored differently than before.
Additions such as eggs, milk, and sugar have made leftover cornbread expire more quickly than it did hundreds of years ago.
This popular dish can be stored in a cool, dry, dark environment such as a cupboard for 1-3 days, or in a refrigerator for 5 days and sometimes up to a week. My personal cutoff for extra cornbread in a fridge is 3-4 days, but I am a little on the conservative side when it comes to leftovers.
The refrigerator is generally regarded as a safer place to store cornbread, as the cooler temperatures help slow the growth of bacteria.
Signs of spoilage can occur in either spot much sooner than expected. Look for mold or excessive moisture as your clues to dump the bread and find something else to eat. And as always, if it doesn’t smell, taste, or feel quite right, it’s not worth it.
There are some exceptions to my cornbread in the fridge rule. For example, when making cornbread dressing (AKA cornbread stuffing) for Thanksgiving, note that the bread should be left out overnight before preparation.
Can You Freeze Cornbread Dressing?
While on the topic of cornbread dressing and saving cornbread for as long as possible, you may also be wondering if you can freeze cornbread dressing.
Yes!
Cornbread dressing is a very popular side dish in your typical Thanksgiving dinner spread, so it stands to reason you may want to figure out how to store it.
Not only can you freeze leftovers from Thanksgiving, you can also make life a LOT easier by preparing the dressing ahead of time and then freezing it for future use. Sounds like a good reason to me!
Cornbread dressing can be frozen if prepared up to the point of baking, or after baking. This makes it a very versatile recipe for freezing.
To thaw and use your frozen cornbread dressing, remove the packaging from the freezer the night before and allow it to sit in the fridge overnight.
If the cornbread dressing was stored in the freezer unbaked, bake it as instructed for the full cook time and enjoy!
If the cornbread dressing was stored in the freezer already baked, or as leftovers, reheat for 10-15 minutes prior to serving.
Now your only concern after Thanksgiving is what to do with all that leftover turkey, but we’ve got advice there, too.
Prepping cornbread stuffing ahead will save you SO MUCH TIME on Thanksgiving day. You’ll be able to offer up the same delicious sides as always without the hassle of making everything at once, allowing you to spend more time with good friends and family — and stress less.
You can add the task of making cornbread dressing to your list of things to do three days before Thanksgiving, or you can push it out even further, as the stuffing will last in the freezer for up to 6 months if stored properly!
Premade cornbread dressing, along with other hacks like Instant Pot side dish recipes for Thanksgiving, will make your day much more enjoyable.
How to Reheat Cornbread
Now that you know how to reheat cornbread dressing, you may be wondering how to reheat cornbread itself.
Here are some common methods for reheating cornbread:
Oven
Using the oven to reheat cornbread is simple and helps keep that crispy, golden brown exterior that makes the soft middle so darn appealing.
Cut out the desired servings or reheat the whole thing by placing the amount you want to heat onto a baking sheet or leaving it in the oven-safe dish.
Cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning and drying out.
Bake for 10 minutes in a 350-degree oven.
For best results, butter the top when done!
Stove Top
Heat up a skillet with butter over medium-low heat and cook for 1-2 minutes, flipping your homemade cornbread halfway through.
Do not exceed medium heat, as this can cause it to burn quite quickly.
Instant Pot
If you thought the Instant Pot was just for making food, prepare to be amazed!
Wrap your individual piece of cornbread in foil and place it (or several in a single layer) in the basket of the Instant Pot on the “keep warm” setting for a few minutes, until warmed through.
Air Fryer
Place a small pat of butter on top of your cornbread.
Fry at 400°F for 3 minutes!
This method works for pressure, basket, or power air fryers.
Microwave
It’s not our favorite method, but this one still does the trick.
Place one slice of cornbread on a microwave-safe dish and cover with a paper towel.
Cook for 15 seconds, and then for 5-second increments afterward, to achieve the desired result.
Adding butter to the top before heating helps retain moisture (and your taste buds will thank you)!
