A good cheesy grits recipe is among my favorite indulgences because it reminds me of Cameroon and my beloved akamu. And whenever I visit my family, they beg me to make it. Besides, the pantry-staple ingredients are so easy to put together for a satisfying meal. The versatility of cheese grits never ceases to amaze me. Grits take the cake from a hearty breakfast with bacon and eggs to shrimp and grits for an elegant seafood delicacy. Speaking of cake, grit cakes are an excellent way to use leftovers.
Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Cheese Grits
Boil – Add water, milk, bay leaf, and salt to a heavy-bottomed saucepan on medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. (Photos 1-2) Whisk – Gradually whisk in the grits a little at a time until you have added them all to the pot. Keep stirring with a whisk to prevent lumps. (Briefly remove the saucepan from heat to help get rid of any stubborn lumps.) (Photos 3-5) Simmer – Patiently cook at a low simmer while stirring. Reduce heat and cook grits at a bare simmer, covered, frequently stirring, until water is fully absorbed and grits thickened. It will take 10-15 minutes. Finish — Remove grits from heat, and add the butter and cheese, stirring with a whisk until cheese melts. If your grits get too thick, add more milk. (Photos 6-8) Serve piping hot and top with more cheese and butter.
Recipe Variations
Tips and Tricks
Make-Ahead Instructions
Although grits are best fresh, you can make them two days in advance. Let them cool uncovered, then refrigerate in an airtight container. When you’re ready to enjoy them, break them up and add them to the pot. Add just enough hot water as you stir and reheat to make them creamy again.
Serving and Storage Instructions
Serve cheese grits hot with eggs and sausage for breakfast, or top them with chicken or shrimp for lunch. Store leftover cheese grits in an airtight container for up to three days. The longer they’ve been in the fridge, the drier they’ll be. Add a splash of milk, water, or broth to a saucepan (preferably non-stick) and the grits to reheat. Heat on low, constantly stirring so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pan. If they’re still lumpy, add more liquid. Simmer until heated through and creamy.
What to Serve With Cheese Grits
This deliciousness is perfect for braised short ribs, shrimp creole, or easy smothered pork chops. And a 7UP pound cake is the classic finish to any Southern meal.
More Delectable Southern Recipes to Try
Conclusion
Cheese grits are oh-so-simple and delicious and go Immaculately with any meal. So why not add this recipe to your easy yet extraordinary meals list? Save it to your Pinterest collection for easy access. 🤤
Watch How to Make It
[adthrive-in-post-video-player video-id=”ojA15wow” upload-date=”2023-04-17T19:14:58.000Z” name=”GRITS.mp4″ description=”Grits are an easy classic Southern comfort food. You can’t go wrong with this hearty breakfast food, even for dinner.” player-type=”collapse” override-embed=”false”] This blog post was originally published in February 2020 and has been updated with additional tips, new photos, and a video.
