Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk
A dense, slightly sweet cornbread that hails from the American South, made with stone-ground cornmeal and tangy buttermilk for the perfect crumb. This american-inspired breakfast ready in about 37 minutes combines stone-ground yellow cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 195 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a 9-inch cast-iron skillet with 1/4 cup vegetable oil. Whisk 1 cup stone-ground yellow cornmeal, 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp sea salt in a large bowl until well combined.
- Step 2: In a separate bowl, whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tbsp honey, and the remaining 1/4 cup vegetable oil until smooth. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir just until combined — do not overmix.
- Step 3: Pour the batter into the hot skillet and bake for 20-22 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, then let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk take to make?
Total time is about 37 minutes (15 min prep + 22 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.
How do I store leftover Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.
Can I substitute ingredients in Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Authentic Southern Cornbread with Buttermilk?
American breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
- ★★★★☆
Enjoyable meal. Instructions could be a touch more detailed on the timing.
- ★★★★☆
Reliable weeknight option. Not going to blow your mind but always satisfying.
