Grits are a very versatile dish as they are mild tasting and a good base for different flavors. They can be served sweet or savory, for breakfast or as part of an elegant dinner. When it comes to eating grits as the first meal of the day, some people choose to make them hearty by adding eggs and cheese, while others like to add butter, syrup, nuts, and/or jam for a sweet dish. Either way, when you serve the grits with a variety of toppings, its fun to allow each diner to invent their own creation.
Southerners like to use old-fashioned or stone-ground grits, but for an everyday breakfast, its faster to use quick grits (never instant), which are ready in just a few minutes, whereas stone-ground or old-fashioned grits take up to an hour to cook. Save the stone-ground or old-fashioned grits for a leisurely weekend meal, as they are “the real thing” and much better tasting than the quick-cooking version.
A little brown sugar, dried fruit, shredded apple, maple syrup, honey, milk, cinnamon, and/or other sweet breakfast stir-ins work wonderfully. Cheesy grits: Any cheese can dress up grits. Stir in shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, pepper cheese, provolone, or Swiss, or add feta or goat cheese crumbles.
Steps to Make It
- Gather the ingredients. The Spruce
- Bring the whole milk, water, butter, sugar, and salt to a boil over medium-high heat in a heavy saucepan. The Spruce
- Slowly add the grits, stirring constantly until smooth. The Spruce
- Turn the heat down to medium-low, cover the pan, and cook for about 6 minutes or until smooth, stirring several times. The Spruce
- Serve with your desired garnishes and accompaniments. The Spruce
- Enjoy.
Whether you like a sweet start to the day or something more hearty tasting, these grits can be topped with a wide range of ingredients.
- Sweet: Butter, cinnamon, raisins, syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, jam, or berries.
- Savory: Cheese, fried eggs, bacon (cooked and chopped), caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, scallions, or herbs.
If you make more grits than you need for breakfast, transfer the extra to a lightly oiled loaf pan. When set, slice the grits and pan-fry the slices in a bit of butter until golden brown. They are wonderful alone like this or served with a sauce. You can actually use these leftover grit slices the same way you would use polenta.
How To Make Quick Instant Grits | on the stove
FAQ
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