A staple in Southern cooking and a popular ingredient in traditional Native American recipes, grits are a tasty and versatile food! They’re often eaten for breakfast but can also be used to make delicious savory meals. If you’re not familiar with grits or you’ve only had them cooked a few different ways, it’s time to expand your horizons! Take a look at these delicious grits ideas before you plan out your next weekly menu!
Grits are made from ground corn. They come in both yellow and white varieties, and there are several different versions to choose from. This includes:
There are many different ways to cook grits for breakfast! These simple recipes are sure to inspire you:
To make this recipe, start by adding hominy grits to boiling water, then simmer it for 15 minutes, stirring frequently. Once the grits are cooked, add butter, shredded cheese, salt, and pepper. Stir it until the cheese and butter are melted, and enjoy!
If you’ve got an early-morning sweet tooth, you’ll love this recipe for grits pudding. Raisins and dried apricots give it sweetness and texture, while cardamom- and cinnamon-spiced coconut milk gives it a decadent flavor.
To make this delicious and filling breakfast, start by cooking quick grits according to the package directions and adding garlic and salt. Remove the grits from the heat and stir in cheddar or gouda cheese, butter, and milk. Spoon the grits into a bowl and top them with everything bagel seasoning, 2 freshly fried eggs, and a handful of arugula.
To make this sweet and tasty recipe, add honey and butter to your grits while cooking them. When it’s done cooking, add your grits to a bowl and top it with toasted almonds.
Prepare quick-cook grits according to the directions for an easy and sweet breakfast, then top them with blueberries and walnuts. You can also make your own version by adding various combinations of raisins, maple syrup, jam, berries, almonds, or peanut butter. Feel free to experiment with different mixtures, so you never get bored!
If you prefer a savory breakfast, try topping your quick-cook grits with a combination of cooked and chopped bacon, cheese, and scallions. Or, make your own creation by combining caramelized onions, tomatoes, scallions, roasted red peppers, herbs, or fried eggs. By mixing and matching, you’ll be able to enjoy a different breakfast every morning!
Toppings for GritsSweet: 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.
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Sweet: Butter, cinnamon, raisins, syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, jam, or berries.
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Savory: Cheese, fried eggs, bacon (cooked and chopped), caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, scallions, or herbs.
Savory grits snack recipes
Since grits have such a mild flavor, they easily take on other seasonings in a dish. This makes them the perfect addition to a variety of savory recipes! Check out these savory grits recipe ideas:
These individual goat cheese grits soufflés are easy to make and super decadent! The addition of bacon makes them perfect for brunch, or they make an excellent side to serve during an elegant dinner party.
To make crispy grits cakes, start by cooking your grits in broth and water, then add sharp cheddar cheese and butter. Spread the mixture evenly on a greased baking sheet and let it cool in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours. Then cut it into squares and put them on a baking sheet lined with greased aluminum foil. Brush the tops with melted butter and broil them for 5-7 minutes until they’re warm, golden, and crispy!
A simple and delicious addition to various soup recipes, grits dumplings are much like traditional dumplings, except you’ll replace the bulk of the flour with quick-cooking grits. You can easily change the spices used in the recipe to complement the type of soup you’re making.
To make this recipe, start by boiling water, salt, and pepper. Add quick grits and fresh corn kernels. Cook on medium-low for about 5 minutes until it’s thickened, then stir in goat cheese and fresh chives. Sprinkle additional goat cheese and chives on top as a garnish.
This recipe for cheddar grits is super creamy and flavorful. It’s also quite rich, so plan on serving it with a simple green salad topped with vinaigrette dressing.
Give your grits a healthy twist! To make this recipe, put collard greens or kale in the food processor with a large green onion until it forms a paste. Cook your grits for about 15 minutes, then stir in the greens, mix and simmer it for an additional 10-15 minutes. Remove them from the heat, stir in butter and black pepper, then top it with a freshly poached egg.
A Tex-Mex version of the classic southern dish, this recipe for Southwestern shrimp and grits is always a crowd-pleaser! Serve it with a side salad and lime dressing.
This recipe is delicious and easy to make! Just put grits, water, cheddar cheese, and cooked and crumbled bacon in the slow cooker. Season it with salt and pepper and let it cook on high for about 3 hours. Then, add butter, sliced green onions, cheddar cheese, and more cooked and crumbled bacon.
To make this classic dish, season cooked instant grits with parmesan cheese and butter. Cook shrimp in a skillet with butter, cayenne pepper, and garlic. When the shrimp is pink, remove the pan from the heat and add water, lemon juice, and parsley. Toss the shrimp until it’s coated in the sauce, then place the shrimp and sauce on the cooked grits.
Once you make these cheese grits, you’ll want to cook them all the time. Start by cooking grits in water and broth, then stir in grated cheese and butter. Let it cool a bit, then beat in eggs and transfer the mixture to a buttered casserole dish. Bake for about 1 hour, until it’s just set and slightly browned.
You might be surprised to learn you can also make desserts with grits! Try experimenting with some of these tasty recipes:
Grits cookies are delicious and easy to make. The lemon zest gives them the perfect amount of tang, and the handmade lemon frosting is absolutely incredible!
For a delicious grits pie, you’ll start by making a delightful filling using quick-cooking grits, butter, sugar, flour, eggs, and buttermilk. Pour it into a pre-made pie crust and bake. Once it’s cooled, serve it with whipped cream and strawberries or orange slices!
This classic recipe for southern grits pudding combines coconut milk, honey, quick-cooking oats, and delicious sweet treats like dried apricots, raisins. It’s topped with salted, roasted pistachios for the perfect bit of salt and crunch!
Enjoy the fall flavors by cooking grits in water and milk, then adding buttermilk, unsalted butter, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie mix, pure maple syrup, and black pepper. Top the mixture with spiced pecans.
Enjoy grits with your next meal!
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How To Make Quick Instant Grits | on the stove
FAQ
How do you make grits taste better?
How do you jazz up grits?
How do you upgrade grits?
What can you put in grits instead of butter?
Is it good to have grits?
Grits is typically a porridge made out of corn meal. As corn kernels are highly processed to turn into fine powder, simple carbohydrates are present dominantly in grits. Hence, its not recommended for individuals with insulin sensitivity, diabetes and obesity. Besides, grits can be consumed occasionally only, say 30 grams of serve per week.
What can I add to grits?
Here are some other popular variations. Sweet Grits: Add sugar, honey, or maple syrup to sweeten your creamy grits. Serve with fresh fruit like berries, peaches, or apples. Sweeten with brown sugar instead of white sugar, and add cinnamon, nutmeg, or other warm spices.
Can you add cream to grits?
We recommend using low-sodium broth to prevent the grits from becoming overly salty, but if you use regular broth, don’t salt the water before adding your grits. Give your grits a taste test after cooking and then add more salt if needed. Cream is very fatty and can over-thicken grits when too much is added.