Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A moist and savory Southern cornbread made with creamy buttermilk and enriched with flavorful bacon drippings for a perfect side dish. This american-inspired comfort food ready in about 35 minutes pairs white cornmeal, all-purpose flour, baking powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 8 American cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. In a large bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups white cornmeal, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 tbsp baking powder, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar until combined.
  2. Step 2: In a separate bowl, beat 2 large eggs, then whisk in 1/4 cup bacon drippings and 1 1/4 cups buttermilk until smooth.
  3. Step 3: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir gently just until combined — do not overmix; some lumps are okay.
  4. Step 4: Chop 4 slices of cooked bacon into small pieces and fold them into the batter.
  5. Step 5: Pour the batter into a well-greased 8x8-inch baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep white cornmeal from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings?

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 Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings 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 Southern Buttermilk Cornbread with Bacon Drippings?

American comfort food 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.

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