The Only Cornbread Recipe You'll Ever Need Comes Straight From Grandma’s Kitchen

Thousands of reviewers agree that this buttermilk cornbread recipe is the best of the best.

overhead view of grandmother's buttermilk cornbread partially sliced in a round cast iron skillet
Photo: Allrecipes Magazine

Like so many of our most popular recipes of all time, our top-rated (and most-reviewed) cornbread recipe comes from someone’s grandma. Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread, submitted by Allrecipes community member Bethany Weathersby, is sweet, moist, and full of old-fashioned flavor. With nearly 7,000 perfect ratings and thousands of rave reviews, this basic recipe will quickly become a staple in your repertoire.  

cornbread

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What You’ll Need


The beauty of this recipe is that it’s truly no-frills. Every ingredient serves a purpose and, since the list is limited to basics, each component shines through beautifully. Here’s what you’ll need: 

  • Butter: This moist and tender cornbread recipe starts, of course, with a stick of butter. 
  • Sugar: The Allrecipes community loves this cornbread’s subtle sweetness—but you can adjust the amount of sugar, if you like.
  • Eggs: Two whole eggs lend even more moisture and help bind the batter together. 
  • Buttermilk: Not only does buttermilk add richness, but its acids ensure a wonderfully fluffy texture. 
  • Baking soda: Baking soda acts as a leavener, which helps the cornbread rise. 
  • Cornmeal: It should come as no surprise that you’ll need cornmeal to give this recipe its signature grit and crumb. 
  • Flour: All-purpose flour gives the cornbread structure and helps balance out the grittiness of the cornmeal. 
  • Salt: A pinch of salt (1/4 teaspoon, to be exact) enhances the flavors of the other ingredients. 

Recipe Tips

  • Of course, this basic recipe is also super customizable. You can dress it up by mixing in shredded cheese, jalapenos, corn, bacon, or spices (such as cayenne pepper) to suit your taste. 
  • No buttermilk? No problem! Make your own with just milk and vinegar or lemon juice. 


What the Allrecipes Community Has to Say

Don’t take it from us—check out these rave reviews from Allrecipes community members:

  • “This is the best cornbread recipe I’ve ever made. It’s now a family favorite.” —beckysburgerwagon
  • “Love, love, love this recipe I have tried various buttermilk, cornbread recipes that are either too dry or not sweet enough or too too sweet this one is perfect.” —Odessa Mcclendon
  • “Leaps and bounds better than a box mix!! I’ve been making this recipe for years now and it’s a staple in our home. I almost always make a double batch so there’s plenty to go around.” —Brandi Hodgins 
  • “Love, Love, LOVE this cornbread! It takes me back to a simpler time when my grandmother made it and we ate it with either butter beans or pinto beans with chopped onions on top - those were the good ol' days!!! Thanks so much for the recipe, have used it many times!” —tctinklenberg

Get the recipe: Grandmother's Buttermilk Cornbread

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