I'm so excited to share my Meme's traditional Southern Oyster Dressing for your Thanksgiving table. This classic savory Southern dish of oysters is rich, buttery, and packed with flavor - the perfect side dish for your holiday table or special occasions.
Why You'll Love It
The Southern Oyster Dressing Recipe for Thanksgiving is a classic tradition of oyster dressing that's been around since the early British colonists brought it to North America... And this exact recipe was passed down from my meme to my mom. It's full of the salty, briny flavor of fresh oysters, the cozy texture of cornbread, and the comforting aroma of herbs and butter. Whether you're on the Gulf Coast of New Orleans, in a small beach town in Florida like us, or cooking a Thanksgiving dinner up north, this recipe brings a little Southern charm to your table.
It's made with a mix of cornbread, white bread, and dried stuffing cubes for the perfect texture. The oysters and oyster liquor add much flavor and richness to the dressing, while the poultry seasoning, black pepper, and salt create the perfect balance. The best result is a golden brown, buttery stuffing that pairs beautifully with turkey, cranberry sauce, and gravy. The best part? It comes together easily using simple ingredients you can find at any grocery store.
You can make this oyster dressing recipe ahead of time and bake it before serving for a stress-free Thanksgiving side. It's a great way to keep tradition alive, and it tastes even better the next time you reheat it with a drizzle of turkey broth or chicken broth.
Ingredients & Substitutions
This old-fashioned oyster stuffing recipe comes together with simple ingredients and loads of flavor. Each one plays an important role in creating the rich, savory taste of the South.
- Cornbread: Use a classic cornbread recipe that's not sweet. Sweet cornbread changes the flavor too much. You can use leftover cornbread or make a fresh batch ahead of time.
- White Bread: Stale bread or toasted bread cubes help the dressing hold its texture. You can also use French bread or wheat bread if that's what you have. You could also add bread crumbs to the dry ingredients if you were in a pinch.
- Dried Cornbread Stuffing: Adds extra body and flavor. It helps soak up the oyster liquid and butter mixture perfectly.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and give the dressing structure.
- Onions and Celery: Finely chopped to mimic the holy trinity of vegetables found in many Southern recipes. You can also add bell pepper or green onions or green peppers for more color if you want.
- Smoked Oysters: Use smoked oysters in oil or brine for deep flavor. The oyster juice and oyster liquor from the can add brininess to the dish. If you prefer, use raw oysters on the half shell and strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve... But smoked is better!
- Butter: Melt butter (or use unsalted butter) for the rich base that ties everything together. Bacon fat also works for extra flavor.
- Chicken or Turkey Stock: Adds moisture and flavor. You can use turkey broth, chicken broth, or a mix of both.
- Poultry Seasoning: The key seasoning blend that makes it taste like Thanksgiving stuffing. You can add a pinch of Old Bay, Creole seasoning, or Cajun seasoning for more depth if you feel like it.
- Salt and Pepper: Classic seasonings to balance the richness of the oysters and cornbread. A mix of black pepper and white pepper works beautifully.
- Optional Additions: Want to get even crazier with it all? Try adding a few dashes of hot sauce, lemon juice or even some cajun seasoning.
Detailed How to Make It
This oyster dressing recipe comes together quickly, making it one of the easiest and most flavorful Thanksgiving sides. Just one large bowl and a baking dish are all you need.
- PREHEAT THE OVEN: Heat oven to 350°F. Grease a large baking dish or casserole pan with butter or cooking spray.
- MIX THE BASE: In a large mixing bowl, add cornbread, cubed white bread, and the bag of dried cornbread stuffing.
- ADD THE OYSTERS: Pour in the oysters with their oyster liquid. Add onions, celery, poultry seasoning, and black pepper. Mix gently to break up the largest pieces of oyster into small pieces.
- MELT THE BUTTER: In a small pan over medium heat, melt butter until smooth and slightly bubbly. Pour it over the rest of the ingredients in the large bowl.
- ADD THE STOCK: Slowly pour in the chicken or turkey stock, one cup at a time, and mix with your hands until everything is evenly moistened. Break the bread into oysteres into pieces with your hands or use a potato masher. The mixture should be thick and spoonable but not soupy. If it is, add more bread.
- BAKE THE DRESSING: Transfer the mixture into the prepared greased baking dish. Bake for 20-20 minutes. or until golden brown and set in the center.
- SERVE AND ENJOY: Remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Sprinkle with fresh parsley or fresh sage for garnish if desired.
- SAVE LEFTOVERS: Store leftover oyster dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat with a little bit of chicken broth to restore moisture.
Helpful Tip
Add a little bit of the oyster dressing to a small bowl and pop it in the microwave for a minute. Let it sit for a second before eating it. This will give you a little taste of what it will taste like after it's all the way cooked - so you can adjust your seasonings if needed. You could also make a little crab cake type patty and pan fry it in a skillet over medium-high heat to get the same effect.
What to Serve It With
This oyster dressing recipe is one of the most beloved Southern Thanksgiving sides. Serve it alongside roasted turkey, brown gravy, cranberry sauce, and sweet potatoes. It also pairs beautifully with other dressing recipes like classic cornbread dressing or sausage stuffing. For the holiday table, it's always the dish everyone talks about first. Here's some more tasty thanksgiving dishes to try:
- Stuffing Waffle Grilled Cheese with Muenster, Mashed Potatoes and Cranberry Jam
- Southern Jiffy Cornbread Dressing with (or without) Sausage
- The Best Classic Southern Thanksgiving Dishes & Recipes
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders with Brie (Thanksgiving Recipe!)
- Southern Cucumber Salad with Onion, Vinegar & Sugar Recipe
Recipe
Southern Oyster Dressing Recipe for Thanksgiving
Equipment
- Mixing Bow
Ingredients
- 3 Cups Cornbread Not Sweet
- 1 Cup White Bread Toasted
- 1 12 12 Oz bag Dried Cornbread Stuffing
- 2 large Eggs
- 1 Cup Onions Very Finely Chopped
- 1 Cup Celery Very Finely Chopped
- 2 3.7 oz Cans Smoked Oysters Not Drained
- 1 Stick Butter Melted
- 1 Tablespoon Poultry Seasoning
- 3-4 Cups Chicken Or Turkey Stock
- Salt And Pepper To Taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Add all ingredients (besides broth) to a large mixing bowl and mix with your hands until combined.
- Break up the oysters with your fingers as you mix.
- Add broth, a cup at a time, and mix until wet but not drenched. It's ok if you don't use all four cups.
- Grease a large baking dish and pour in the mixture.
- Bake for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown and set in the middle.
- Remove from oven and serve warm.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
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