Does Jiffy Cornbread Have Cornmeal in It? An Ingredient Breakdown

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the official ingredients list from Chelsea Milling Company, Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix contains 'degermed yellow corn meal'. This key ingredient, a staple in many pantries since its introduction in 1930, is what provides Jiffy cornbread with its distinct flavor and texture.

Quick Summary

Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix includes degermed yellow corn meal along with other dry ingredients like wheat flour, sugar, and leavening agents to create its popular sweet and cake-like cornbread.

Key Points

Yes, Jiffy Contains Cornmeal: Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix explicitly lists "degermed yellow corn meal" as a key ingredient on its packaging.
It's a Complete Mix, Not Just Cornmeal: In addition to cornmeal, the box contains wheat flour, sugar, and leavening agents, making it different from pure cornmeal.
Degermed for Longer Shelf Life: The cornmeal used is degermed, which helps extend the mix's shelf life compared to whole grain cornmeal.
Cake-like Texture from Flour: The addition of wheat flour gives Jiffy cornbread a softer, more cake-like texture, distinct from traditional, denser cornbread.
Pre-sweetened for Convenience: Unlike some scratch recipes, Jiffy mix includes sugar for a sweeter flavor profile that many people prefer.
The Vegetarian Mix Uses Vegetable Shortening: While the standard mix contains lard, Jiffy also offers a vegetarian version that uses vegetable shortening.

The Jiffy Ingredient List Explained

For many, Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix is the go-to choice for quick and easy cornbread. The answer to the common question, "Does Jiffy cornbread have cornmeal in it?" is a definitive yes. However, the mix is a combination of several ingredients, not just pure cornmeal. Understanding what's inside the iconic little blue box can help home cooks better appreciate the convenience and flavor profile of the final product.

Core Ingredients in Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix

The primary components of the standard Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix are:

Degermed Yellow Corn Meal: This is the ground corn that gives the product its signature taste and texture. "Degermed" means the germ and bran have been removed, resulting in a finer texture and a longer shelf life compared to whole grain cornmeal.
Wheat Flour: This ingredient provides structure and softness to the final product, which is why Jiffy cornbread has a cake-like, less crumbly texture than some traditional recipes.
Sugar: Jiffy cornbread is notably sweeter than many Southern-style cornbreads. The sugar is a key part of the flavoring and contributes to the golden crust.
Leavening Agents: Baking soda and sodium acid pyrophosphate are included to help the cornbread rise, ensuring a light and fluffy interior.
Shortening/Fat: The standard mix contains lard, which adds moisture and richness. The Vegetarian Corn Muffin Mix, however, uses vegetable shortening instead.
Salt: Included to balance the flavors.
Vitamins and Minerals: The mix is often fortified with ingredients like niacin, reduced iron, and folic acid.

Jiffy Mix vs. Traditional Cornmeal

While Jiffy contains cornmeal, it is not a direct substitute for pure cornmeal. The mix is a complete baking solution, whereas traditional cornbread requires additional ingredients to be added from scratch. This is a crucial distinction for bakers.

Comparison Table: Jiffy Mix vs. Plain Cornmeal


Feature	Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix	Plain Cornmeal (e.g., from a bag)
Composition	Pre-mixed blend of cornmeal, flour, sugar, fat, and leavening.	Just ground corn kernels; no other ingredients.
Convenience	All dry ingredients pre-combined; just add egg and milk.	Requires measuring and mixing multiple dry ingredients (flour, salt, baking powder).
Flavor Profile	Sweet and cake-like due to added sugar and flour.	Varies based on the recipe; can be savory, sweet, or neutral.
Texture	Lighter, fluffier, and more cake-like due to the inclusion of flour.	Denser, more rustic, and crumbly texture, especially in flour-free recipes.
Primary Use	Quick and easy cornbread, muffins, or casseroles.	Used for a variety of dishes including cornbread, polenta, and breading.
Varieties	Standard, Vegetarian, and Honey varieties are available.	Typically available in different grinds (fine, medium, coarse).

Customizing Your Jiffy Cornbread

Just because it comes from a box doesn't mean you can't enhance the flavor. Many home cooks use the mix as a base for more elaborate recipes. Here are some popular upgrades:

Add-ins: Stir in ingredients like chopped jalapeños, shredded cheddar cheese, or a can of creamed corn for extra moisture and flavor.
Enhance Moisture: Substitute milk with buttermilk for a tangier flavor and more tender crumb. Sour cream is another excellent addition for a richer, more moist result.
Use a Cast-Iron Skillet: For a classic crispy crust, pour the batter into a preheated, buttered cast-iron skillet instead of a standard baking pan.
Sweetness Boost: For a sweeter cornbread, drizzle honey over the top before baking or add a tablespoon of honey to the batter.

The History of Jiffy and the Chelsea Milling Company

The Jiffy brand has a long and interesting history, starting with Mabel White Holmes of Chelsea, Michigan, in 1930. She created the first prepared baking mix, initially for biscuits, with the goal of making baking more accessible and easier for everyone. The Chelsea Milling Company, her family's business, was the vehicle for this innovation. Over time, Jiffy expanded its product line, with the corn muffin mix becoming its best-selling item and a staple in American kitchens for decades. This rich history has cemented Jiffy as a beloved, affordable, and reliable brand.

Conclusion

So, while it is true that Jiffy cornbread has cornmeal in it, that is only part of the story. The mix is a complete, pre-formulated blend that includes cornmeal, flour, sugar, and other agents to produce a sweet, cake-like cornbread with minimal effort. This differs significantly from pure cornmeal, which requires all other ingredients to be added manually. By understanding the full ingredient list, you can appreciate the convenience of the Jiffy mix and even get creative with your own additions.

For more detailed information on Jiffy's ingredients, you can visit their official product page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Plain cornmeal is simply ground corn, while Jiffy mix is a complete baking blend that includes cornmeal, flour, sugar, salt, and leavening agents. Jiffy is ready to use with just a few wet ingredients, while plain cornmeal requires you to add all other components from scratch.

The cake-like texture comes from the inclusion of wheat flour in the mix. The flour provides structure and a softer, less crumbly consistency than recipes made with only cornmeal.

No, Jiffy cornbread is often considered a sweet, Northern-style cornbread because of the sugar and flour in the mix. Traditional Southern cornbread is typically savory, less sweet, and denser, often made in a cast-iron skillet.

No, Jiffy Corn Muffin Mix is not gluten-free because it contains wheat flour. Individuals on a gluten-free diet should use a mix specifically labeled as gluten-free or make cornbread from a gluten-free recipe using pure cornmeal.

Yes, the Vegetarian Corn Muffin Mix still contains degermed yellow corn meal. The primary difference is that it uses vegetable shortening instead of the lard found in the original mix.

Yes, you can make cornbread from pure cornmeal, but you will need to add other ingredients like flour, baking powder, salt, and fat to create a leavened and cohesive batter.

'Degermed' cornmeal has had the germ and hull of the corn kernel removed during processing. This results in a finer-textured cornmeal with a longer shelf life compared to coarser, whole-grain cornmeal.