Name: Bacon and Cheddar Cast Iron Skillet Cornbread
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 Cups Martha White Self Rising Buttermilk Cornmeal Mix; 1 1/3 Cups Buttermilk; 1/4 Cup Oil; 1 Egg; 1 Cup Cheddar Cheese - grated; 6 pieces of Fried Crispy Bacon - cut into bits; 4 Green Onions - thinly sliced; 1 Tablespoons Reserved Bacon Grease

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Bacon cheddar cornbread is a savory spin on a Southern classic. It is baked in the oven for 20 minutes in a hot cast iron skillet. The skillet is coated with reserved bacon grease, while buttermilk creates a tender crumb, and crispy bacon pieces and shredded cheddar are folded into the batter. This new twist on cornbread is the perfect way to elevate a Southern favorite.

Cornbread = One of My Love Languages

Ok, not really. But recipes like cast iron skillet cornbread and classic southern-style spoon bread with a GENEROUS serving of butter on top make me weak in the knees.

Obviously, it's that warm straight-out-of-oven bread comfort and the butter melting into all the nooks and crannies. Gosh. I can't get enough!

As a Southern cook, we have a couple of staple ingredients we always like to cook with - like bacon. So I married my mom's staple cornbread recipe with some crispy bacon and cheddar cheese and BLESS IT! So yum!

It is all baked in my tried and true cast iron skillet that has been in my family for generations, at 500 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. It requires minimal ingredients, about 10 minutes to prep, and it will be a crowd fav! Let me show you how to whip it up!

First! Preheat Your Oven and Cast Iron Skillet!

me putting a cats iron skillet into the oven. — This step is KEY! Preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Place a cast iron skillet in the oven while it preheats. This is super important! You need the skillet to be smoking hot before baking.

Then, Fry Up Some Bacon!

bacon cooking in a skillet. — Add your bacon to a large skillet and fry on both sides until crispy over medium-low heat. This can be done 2-3 days in advance too!

Bacon cooling on a plate with paper towels. — Remove and let cool on a plate lined with paper towels. Save the grease for later on in the recipe.

Chopping bacon into bits on a cutting board with a knife. — Chop up 6 slices with a knife when cooled.

Then Shred Some Cheese

Shredding cheese with a grater. — I highly recommend you taking the extra 2 minutes to shred your own cheese. Just grab a block of cheddar and shred the whole thing yourself. After testing this multiple times and having lots of recipes with cheddar cheese in them, shredding your own is the way to go for the best flavor and texture results!

Last - Mix & Bake!

⭐️ PRO TIP ⭐️ If you don't have any buttermilk on hand - no worries! Just whip some up at home with my 5-minute buttermilk recipe!

Mixing cornmeal and buttermilk in a clear mixing bowl on the counter. — In a large bowl, add the cornmeal mix, buttermilk, egg, and oil. Gently stir with a. spatula.

Mixing the batter for bacon and cheddar cornbread in a clear mixing bowl with a spatula. — Add in the cheese, bacon and green onions. Gently finish stirring so that everything is combined.

Bacon grease melting in a hot cast iron skillet. — Remove your cast iron skillet from the oven and add in 1 tablespoon of reserved bacon grease. Let it melt and swirl around the pan to coat the bottom.

Cornbread batter inside a hot cast iron skillet. — Pour the cornbread dough straight in and place in the oven to make for 20 minutes.

Bacon and cheddar cornbread in a skillet after baking in the oven. — Remove and let cool for 5 minutes before sliding and serving!

You can serve this with dishes like Chili Con Carne or White Chicken Chili - because cornbread with chilis and stews is a match made in heaven! Make sure you slather it with butter will warm - and maybe even a drizzle of honey - yum!

I doubt there will be any leftovers, but if there are, store them in the fridge for 2-3 days and just pop them in the microwave for a couple of seconds to warm them back up. Yay - enjoy!

a slice of bacon and cheddar cornbread on a plate with butter on top.

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