Easy Southern-Style Grits Recipe
Southern Grits is a creamy and comforting Southern dish. Today, we will make a simple yet flavorful version, mostly served in the morning for breakfast. Creamy grits topped with butter is a great way to start your morning. A smooth and luscious texture that pairs perfectly with any savory dish.
The key to making perfect Creamy Southern Grits is in the preparation; it’s important to use the right amount of liquid, cook the grits slowly, and stir frequently to ensure a smooth consistency.
With the right technique and a few simple ingredients, you can create a delicious and satisfying bowl of Creamy Grits that will warm your belly and your soul.
Grits go well with Smothered chicken, Old-fashioned beef stew, or Potato and green onion omelet.
❤️ WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS RECIPE
Creamy texture: These grits are cooked low and slow with a generous amount of butter and cream, resulting in a velvety smooth texture that is irresistible.
Versatile side dish: While these grits are a classic Southern dish, they can be paired with various proteins and vegetables to make a complete meal.
Easy to make: With only a handful of ingredients and simple cooking techniques, this recipe is a breeze to make.
Family favorite: Grits are a staple in many Southern households, and this recipe will surely become a family favorite.
🥘 INGREDIENTS
Water: As the water boils, it will slowly incorporate with the grits and make them soft and fluffy.
Milk: We’ll also be adding some milk to the grits mixture. The milk will add a creamy richness to the grits and make them more flavorful.
Grits: The grits will be the dish’s star and slowly cooked in the milk and water mixture. I have used quick grits to save time.
Butter: Finally, we’ll add unsalted butter to the grits mixture. The butter will add richness and creaminess to the grits, making them even more delicious.
🔪INSTRUCTIONS
Making Southern grits is incredibly easy. Let’s look at home to make it step by step:
Step 1:
To prepare the grits, add water and milk to a saucepan or skillet. Sprinkle a pinch of salt and, if you prefer, some black pepper. Allow the mixture to come to a boil.
Step 2:
Once the liquid starts boiling, add the grits while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Continue whisking or stirring for two minutes.
Step 3:
Next, reduce the heat to medium-low to avoid burning the grits. Stir the mixture every two to three minutes to ensure the grits cook evenly. Allow it to simmer.
Step 4:
After cooking the grits for about 23 minutes, turn off the heat. Now, add a generous amount of butter to give the grits a rich flavor. Stir the grits and butter until the butter has melted and mixed well with the grits.
Step 5:
Finally, serve the grits hot and enjoy!
👩🏽🍳PRO TIPS
Stir Constantly: Grits tend to stick to the bottom of the pot, so it is essential to stir them frequently to prevent them from burning.
Add Butter at the End: Adding butter at the end of cooking ensures they melt evenly and prevent the grits from clumping.
Use Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Using chicken stock or vegetable broth instead of water adds flavor to the grits, making them taste more savory and delicious.
Use Heavy Cream: Add some heavy cream to your grits. It’ll add richness and creaminess.
Let Grits Rest Before Serving: Allowing the grits to rest for a few minutes before serving helps the flavors meld together and creates a smoother texture.
🍽️HOW TO SERVE
- Top with sautéed shrimp and sausage for a classic southern dish called shrimp and grits. The creaminess of the grits pairs perfectly with the spicy and savory flavors of the seafood and sausage.
- Serve as a side dish with fried chicken or BBQ ribs. The grits provide a comforting and hearty base to balance out the rich and bold flavors of the meat.
- Create a breakfast bowl by topping the grits with crispy bacon, a fried egg, and sliced avocado.
- Use the grits as a base for a vegetarian bowl by topping with roasted vegetables, sliced avocado, and a drizzle of hot sauce.
- Make a grits bar for a brunch or dinner party by offering various toppings such as shredded cheese, diced tomatoes, sliced scallions, crispy bacon, and hot sauce. Guests can create their own customizable bowls to their liking.
📋VARIATIONS
This creamy southern grits recipe is absolutely delicious, but if you’re looking to customize it, here are some ideas you can try:
Cheese Grits: Add 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese to the grits mixture before cooking for a gooey and savory twist on the classic recipe.
Shrimp and Grits: Cook 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp in a separate pan with garlic, butter, and Cajun seasoning. Serve the cooked shrimp over a bowl of hot grits for a delicious and filling meal.
Bacon Grits: Cook 6-8 slices of bacon until crispy, then crumble and sprinkle on top of the cooked grits. The salty and smoky flavors of the bacon complement the creamy grits perfectly.
Jalapeno Grits: Add 2-3 diced jalapenos to the grits mixture for a spicy kick, and use chicken broth instead of water in the recipe. Serve with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on top for a cooling contrast.
Sweet Grits: Add 1/2 cup of brown sugar and one teaspoon of cinnamon to the grits mixture before cooking for a sweet and comforting breakfast or dessert. Top with chopped nuts or whipped cream for extra indulgence.
🌡️STORING
To store the leftovers, transfer the grits to an airtight container and refrigerate within two hours of cooking. The grits will keep for up to four days.
When you’re ready to eat, reheat the grits in the microwave or on the stove, adding a splash of milk or water to loosen it up if necessary. If you want to freeze the leftovers, you can do so for up to three months.
However, keep in mind that grits tend to become grainy and lose their creamy texture when frozen and thawed. When you’re ready to eat, thaw the grits overnight in the fridge and then reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.
📣MORE BREAKFAST RECIPES YOU’LL LIKE
⭐PLEASE RATE AND REVIEW
If you have tried this recipe and liked it, please give it a 5-star rating and leave a comment below with your experience!
Creamy Southern Grits Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk
- ¼ cup quick grits You can use (5 minutes grits) too.
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
- In a pan, add water, milk, and salt. You can add black pepper if you wish.
- When the water and milk come to a boil, Add the grits while stirring. Stir for two minutes.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and stir occasionally to avoid burning the grits. Do this every two to three minutes.
- When the 23 minutes are up, turn off the heat and add the butter. Stir to combine.
- Serve immediately with eggs, gravy, or bacon.
Notes
- Grits tend to stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir frequently to prevent it from burning.
- Adding butter at the end of cooking ensures it melts and prevents the grits from clumping.
- Using chicken stock or vegetable broth instead of water adds flavor to the grits, making them taste more savory and delicious.
- Heavy cream adds richness and creaminess.
- Serve the grits with sausage bacon, mix it with shredded cheese, or with gravy.
Have never had grits…it looks so creamy..almost like mashed potatoes.
You are missing a lot, Angie 🙂 Grits is delicious!
I haven’t had grits since I left the South – now you’ve made me hungry. 🙂
Southern dishes are irresistible, I haven’t tried anything that I didn’t like yet!
Grits are non-existent here in the northeast unless we make them ourselves. Yours sound awesome 🙂
Mmmm, this looks so good. It’s been ages since I’ve had grits.
Well I am a southern girl and this TOTALLY made me want breakfast for dinner tonight, just so I can whip up some grits! Yum!
Ooh it looks so tasty! I have never tried grits before but it looks like something I would enjoy, yum x
This looks delicious. And I would imagine a very versatile side dish. Can’t wait to try!
I love southern cooking. I always stop by a local place when I’m down south. Love their breakfasts! Awesome share!
XOXO // Check out my latest post if you like 😉
SINCERELY OPHELIA | HOW TO | Small Bag in a Big City
I make good grits for the fam, but I don’t like them myself.
Because I eat cheese only on pizza, I think I’ll try the chicken variation
I’ve never had grits before. But your southern grits is making me really hungry right now.
Oh my gosh, one of my favorite breakfast dishes (and sometimes dinner). I haven’t made them like this before but I’ll try it next time.
Ok I have a confession: I’m southern and I don’t like grits! I’ve tried but I can’t! Your presentation of them looks really great though!
Not something I have much of but I do love it! Yours looks really awesome and you make it sound so easy!
I’ve never had grits – they are just not a popular dish where I’m from.
I have never heard of girts. I will google and see if anyone has veganised this! 😛
Thanks for the recipe. I love grits for breakfast but I haven’t tried this with gravy and shrimp before. This must be a good idea to try.
~ ONE SPORTY MOTHER
Wow! This is a classic recipe and it would be nice to learn how to make it. Thanks for sharing your recipe, I can’t wait to make it for the family.
It’s a simple dish and that’s what makes it beautiful. This is definitely something that I’d want to have for breakfast.
WOW! Very tempting and looks delicious
This is something new for me. I would try this recipe too at home 🙂
Yummy! I might have to make this!
I tried grits once and they were so nasty that I never was brave enough to try it again. This recipe looks very simple and super yummy though, so I’ll have to give grits another try!
I had a bad experience with grits too but never gave up and perfected it, hope you like my recipe 🙂