Believe it or not, cheesy grits make for the perfect side for seafood dishes and even hearty plates like breaded or smoked pork chops.
What Exactly is Stone-Ground Grits?
Stone-ground grits are usually made from hominy, corn treated with an alkaline product to get rid of the hull. As the name implies, the dried kernels of corn are coarsely ground between two grist millstones. Grinding them this way gives them a richer corn flavor and a speckled appearance that instant or quick-cooking grits may lack.
Recipe Ingredients
Milk – This ingredient adds extra flavor and a creamy texture to these cheesy grits. If you want to make a non-dairy version of this recipe, swap the milk out for water. You could also substitute the milk with more flavorful options like chicken or vegetable broth.Bay Leaf – An aromatic herb that will take the flavor of your grits up a notch.Stone-Ground Grits – Old fashioned coarsely ground grits make for a rustic, Southern-style dish.Unsalted Butter – No Southern-style dish is complete without a good dose of butter. I go with unsalted in this recipe to better control the salt content in the finished dish. If you just have salted butter in your fridge, never fear. Use that instead; just give your grits a taste test before adding more salt.White Sharp Cheddar – Strong and with a slight tang, white cheddar is my favorite for flavoring grits. I prefer a smoked variety because the subtle smoke flavor is divine. 😋 Sharp white cheddar, especially the smoked variety, is my absolute favorite for cheesy grits. That said, feel free to add any cheese you like to this recipe; just make sure it gets good and melty. For your dairy-free friends, you can leave out the cheese altogether – these grits will still taste fantastic.
How to Cook Stone-Ground Grits
Tips and Tricks
Before getting into cooking your stone-ground grits, it’s a good idea to remove the chaff. Simply cover the grits in water and give them a quick stir. Any hulls that made it through the grinding process will float to the top, and you can remove them before you begin cooking. Depending on the kind of grits you bought, there may be few or no hulls at all, but it doesn’t hurt to check.Keep a small kettle with boiling water nearby as you cook the grits, so you can prevent scorching. If you find the grits have absorbed all the water but aren’t soft yet, add hot water as needed to extend the cooking time.Season away! Since grits are pretty bland on their own, don’t skip the seasonings in this recipe. In fact, if you want to add other seasonings and herbs you love, go for it! Top with parsley or chives, hot sauce or bacon crumbles, or all of the above. The sky is the limit!If the grits are thicker than you’d like, there’s an easy fix. Simply add extra milk or even chicken broth to thin them out.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Prepare the base and cook the grits as per the recipe, but don’t get them ready to serve just yet. Transfer your cooked grits to an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator instead. Heat ’em back up in a saucepan with some extra liquid over low heat when you’re ready to serve. Milk, water, or broth will work just fine. Once they are warm, add the butter and cheese and stir until the cheese melts and the grits are hot. Serve and enjoy!
Serving and Storing Instructions
Grits are best served fresh and hot! And they’re really good with some chopped parsley or chives as a picture-perfect garnish. Bacon bits look and taste great, too crumbled over the top. 🤤 Store cooked grits in the refrigerator in an airtight container, and they’ll keep for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to reheat your grits, add some extra liquid to the mix.
What to Cook with Stone-Ground Grits
You could have this deliciousness for breakfast with oven-baked bacon and eggs, but they really do make a beautiful side dish, too. Try serving them alongside blackened shrimp, Southern smothered pork chops, or blackened catfish with shrimp sauce. Your friends and family will surely come back for seconds. 😙🤌
More Southern Side Dishes
Southern Buttermilk BiscuitsRed Beans and RiceSouthern Mustard GreensMac and Cheese BitesMashed Sweet Potatoes
Watch How to Make It
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