This moist and tender Southern-style buttermilk cornbread is a perfect addition to any meal. This quick and easy recipe can be prepared, baked, and ready to serve in under 30 minutes.Southern-style cornbread stacked on a cutting board with a bowl of chili in the background.

Why this recipe is so great:

  • Quick & easy to make – This super simple one-bowl buttermilk cornbread recipe only takes 20 minutes in the oven. With the ease and convenience of this recipe, you can have freshly baked cornbread any time and any day of the week.
  • Taste & texture – The taste is rich, buttery, and slightly sweet. The texture is soft and fluffy yet hearty from the grit of the cornmeal. It’s also incredibly moist and tender and melts in your mouth when it’s warm.
  • Perfect all year round – This cornbread is great during the cold winter months with a bowl of chili, soup, or stew. It’s also great during the summer, served as a side dish to some ribs, wings, or any kind of BBQ meat.

Buttermilk cornbread stacked together on a wooden cutting board.

Ingredients you’ll need:

  • cornmeal
  • all-purpose flour
  • granulated sugar
  • baking powder & salt
  • buttermilk (storebought or homemade)
  • vegetable oil or any kind of neutral oil
  • egg

How to make buttermilk cornbread:

(the ingredient amounts are listed in the printable recipe card further below)

  1. In a large bowl, toss together the cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Make a well in the center.
  2. Add the buttermilk, oil, and egg. Whisk all together until combined.
  3. Pour the batter into an 8×8″ greased baking pan.
  4. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

process shots of how to make buttermilk cornbread

How to serve:

Cornbread can be served warm or at room temperature, plain or with some butter. The BEST WAY to serve cornbread (in my opinion) is warm with a pat of butter and a drizzle of honey (as shown in the video below). It adds a whole other layer of flavor, richness, and sweetness!

FAQ:

What’s the difference between Southern cornbread and regular cornbread?

Regular cornbread isn’t very sweet and is made with yellow cornmeal to achieve a crumbly texture. Traditional Southern-style cornbread can be made with white or yellow cornmeal, has a buttery finish, is sweeter, and has more of a cake-like texture.

Why use buttermilk in cornbread?

It makes the cornbread super moist and tender. It also adds a buttery and tangy taste.