How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe
What can be better than layers of fluffy, delicious cornbread, seasoned ground beef, cheese, and peppers for spice? (I’ll answer that for you… NOTHING!) This dish is perfect for when you need a comfort meal that tastes delicious and fills you up. There is no lack of flavor or texture to keep you completely engaged and it’s perfect served with a side of fresh vegetables from the garden. I’m excited to show you How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe and introduce you to your new favorite weeknight meal!
Sharing is caring!
I want to give you a little background for this recipe. It comes from my grandma. I lived with my grandparents for several years as a teen and she was always cooking something delicious and from scratch in the kitchen. This was a dish that was on repeat in her kitchen quite often, and for good reason. It’s so yummy, not hard to make at all, feeds a crowd, and can be customized any way that you like. She always kept it pretty simple, which is exactly how I like to keep mine today. Make a really good homemade cornbread, season some ground beef or deer, and layer with cheese and corn.
Another great thing about this cornbread recipe is that it pairs perfectly with so many vegetables. But I like to make a big pot of beans to eat with it. When I was growing up, my grandparents always had a really big garden and so we always had a fresh supply of butterbeans, butter peas, black-eyed peas, green peas, and more. She would season those beans really well and let them simmer on the stove all day and then when dinner time came, pop this cornbread in the oven and VOILA! You have the PERFECT meal!
Be Sure To Pin It For Later!
This recipe has not only remained a staple for me in adulthood but I’ve had the opportunity to introduce my husband and kiddos to a piece of my childhood. And although my crew is super picky, this recipe passes the taste test with the majority and that’s a win in my book. You could of course always make changes to the recipe to please the specific tastes of your own family.
I would start by using different cheeses than cheddar. I think pepper jack cheese would be so yummy here because it has a lot of flavor and would pair perfectly with the cajun seasoning. You could also swap out the ground beef for sausage, turkey, or even ground chicken. It’s such a blank canvas for you to have fun and be creative with.
Tips for How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe:
- If you are a texture person (and I am), don’t skip the step of heating your oiled cast iron skillet in the oven before pouring the cornbread into it. This will develop a nice crispy crust on the bottom and give a nice crunch.
- Mix a little bit of the corn and the cheese into the cornbread batter as well as layering in the dish. I just like to have those two ingredients running through the entire recipe so that they are included in every bite.
- To save time, brown your meat mixture while your oven and cast iron skillet are preheating. That way, everything will be ready to go at about the same time.
Where did the term “Cajun” come from? Click here to learn!
Let me show you How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe on YouTube!
How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe Ingredients:
For the cornbread:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I prefer avocado oil)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup whole milk
For the meat mixture:
- 1 lb. ground beef or deer
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
For layering:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 can whole kernel corn
- jalapeno peppers
How to make the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe Instructions:
For the meat mixture:
- First, brown the ground beef/deer meat with the onion and garlic powder and cajun seasoning in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. (If the meat is greasy, make sure to drain off the excess before proceeding.)
- Second, set the meat mixture aside while you make the cornbread. (I like to place it on a paper towel lined cutting board.)
For the cornbread and putting it all together:
- First, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a cast iron skillet and use a paper towel to spread it evenly on the bottom and the sides of the skillet and place into a pre-heated 400-degree oven.
- Second, add the flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and mix well.
- Third, add the milk, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of cheese, 1/2 of the corn, and egg to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Next, take your hot skillet out of the oven and pour 1/2 of your cornbread batter into it.
- Then, add the cooked meat and onion mixture on top of the bottom layer of cornbread.
- Next, layer the remaining whole-kernel corn on top of the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese on top of the corn.
- Lastly, pour the remaining cornbread batter on top of the corn and top with the remaining cheese and peppers.
- Then, place the skillet of cornbread into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until browned on top.
- Finally, serve hot with your favorite soups, veggies, or simply with butter and enjoy!
Storage for the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe:
- Leftover Cajun Cornbread can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
What are the Macros for the BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe?
Makes 8 servings (Nutritional information below is for 1 serving = 1 slice)
- Calories – 537
- Protein – 23.7 grams
- Carbs – 41.9 grams (net)
- Fat – 30 grams
Check out some of my other Cajun recipes!
Mini Louisiana Cajun Crab Cakes with Remoulade
Easy Creamy Cajun Shrimp and Grits with Sausage
Simple and Delicious Roast Chicken-Cajun French Recipe
If you try this recipe and love it, please consider giving it 5 STARS.
Also, tag me on:
- Instagram – @jessie.w.thompson
- Facebook – @Jessie’s Food, Faith, and Family
- TikTok – @jessiesfoodfaithandfam
The BEST Cajun Cornbread Recipe
Equipment
- 1 cast iron skillet
- 1 Large mixing bowl
- 1 Skillet
Ingredients
For the cornbread:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil I use avocado oil
- 1 cup yellow cornmeal
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup whole milk
For the meat mixture:
- 1 lb. ground beef/deer
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
For layering:
- 2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1 can whole kernel corn drained
- jalapeno peppers
Instructions
For the meat mixture:
- First, brown the ground beef/deer meat with theonion and garlic powder and cajun seasoning in a skillet over medium heat until cooked through. (If the meat is greasy, make sure to drain off the excess before proceeding.)
- Second, set the meat mixture aside while you make the cornbread. (I like to place the meat on a paper towel lined cutting board.)
For the cornbread and putting it all together:
- First, add 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil to a cast iron skillet and use a paper towel to spread it evenly on the bottom and the sides of the skillet and place into a pre-heated 400-degree oven.
- Second, add the flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, and baking powder into a large mixing bowl and mix well.
- Third, add the milk, 1/3 cup of vegetable oil, 1/2 cup of cheese, 1/2 of the corn, and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Next, take your hot skillet out of the oven and pour 1/2 of your cornbread batter into it.
- Then, add the cooked meat and onion mixture on top of the bottom layer of cornbread.
- Next, layer the remaining whole-kernel corn on top of the meat mixture.
- Sprinkle 1/2 cup of cheese on top of the corn.
- Lastly, pour the remaining cornbread batter on top of the corn and top with the remaining cheese and peppers.
- Then, place the skillet of cornbread into the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until browned on top.
- Finally, serve hot with your favorite soups, veggies, or simply with butter and enjoy!
Video
