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Cheese Grits are a staple at any southern table. Cheese grits can be served alongside crispy bacon for breakfast or fried catfish for dinner. This southern cheese grits recipe is quick, simple, and delicious.
What are southern grits made of?
Believe it or not, corn! Grits are made from either white or yellow corn. The best grits are stone ground but they take a bit longer to cook than quick grits.
What do grits taste like?
Grits may be made from corn but they do not taste like corn at all. They have a creamy, smooth yet slightly gritty texture. Grits take on the flavor of whatever you cook them with.
So if you add cheese to your grits then the grits will taste like whatever cheese you flavored them with.
If you are like my husband, and would rather have sweet instead of savory grits then add some sugar and butter to plain southern grits.
What is the best cheese for cheese grits?
True southern cheese grits are made with sharp cheddar cheese.
I was born and raised in Georgia. Just like our macaroni and cheese, around these parts we prefer our cheese on the sharper side.
When it comes to grits the only way I know how to eat them is with lots of cheese.
But, visit a restaurant here in the south, most of the time they will cut corners to save their budget. Often serving grits with a slice of American Cheese (yes, really) or a few sprinkles of mild cheddar.
Cheese lovers, ya’ll know that neither one of these cheeses will do when it comes to a divine bowl of southern cheese grits.
So I’m sharing with you my secret to making the best southern cheese grits right in your own kitchen. Not only is this recipe easy and delicious but it also takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish.
What do you eat with cheese grits?
Cheese grits can be eaten a variety of ways. Some like to eat cheese grits for breakfast alongside a traditional country breakfast of eggs, biscuits, and your choice of meat like ham, bacon, or sausage.
Others might prefer to eat cheese grits for dinner serving them alongside seafood dishes like fried catfish or topping them with sautéed shrimp.
There is just something about a big bowl of warm, ooey-gooey cheese grits. It definitely will warm your soul. Perfect for cold mornings or just for a little bit of southern comfort food when you need it most.
This recipe is a huge hit with my family. So much so that we always have grits stocked in the cupboard. You never know when that cheesy craving will strike.
How do you like to eat your grits? Sweet or Savory?
I would love for you to give this recipe a try. Let me know what you think of this recipe in the comment section below.
You can serve alongside your favorite breakfast dishes, compliment a seafood feast, or indulge in a bowl all on its own.
Southern Cheese Grits Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup quick cooking grits
- 6 oz sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- In a saucepan, add butter, water, milk, and salt.
- Heat wet ingredients on high until it just begins to boil.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and gradually stir in quick cooking grits.
- Stir occasionally as grits cook for approximately 5 minutes.
- Once grits have thickened, reduce heat to low then add cheese and pepper.
- Continue stirring until cheese is completely melted.
- Divide into 4 servings. Top with extra cheese if desired. Serve warm.
Notes
Other Southern Recipes
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Love the recipe just only one problem. I am as southern as they come and even though I don’t live down south anymore and I make grits all the time, and I never use anything but real stone ground grits from Edisto island !! And I always use chicken broth, water, and milk you should try it. You might like it still I love all your recipes.
I’m in Georgia, I’ve never heard of Edisto island but completely agree that stone ground grits are the best.
I bet the chicken broth would be good in plain grits. Thanks for the recommendation.
Mmmmm….. love how cheesy are these grits! A must make recipe for my family!
I love grits and I love cheese, this is a great recipe.
I just love cheesy grits, the recipe looks really great!
I just made this and it’s SO good! I don’t usually like grits but this was delicious!
I have never tried grits before. I think it’s time for me to try it now! This looks absolutely delicious and tasty!
When my niece was little this is all she would eat for breakfast and sometimes lunch! I never was a huge fan of grits but I do like them like this!
I just bought a container of grits and a so making this! I want to learn to make Shrimp and Grits and this recipe may be perfect!
I haven’t had grits in a long time bc I didn’t care for the texture. It may have also been because they cut corners in restaurants so it’s more bland tasting. I’ll have to give these cheese grits a try. They look delicious.
First of all, this dish is so enticing and tempting. Second, this looks absolutely delicious and yummy! I love the cheesiness of this dish. Loved it!
I’ve never actually tried grits before. I’ve always wondered what they taste like. I may need to finally try them with this recipe.
Grits sound so delicious. I love making mine with oatmeal.
I am drooling. This looks amazing. I am a fan of anything with cheese!
Love grits I grew up eating them for breakfast, as a cereal, looking for ways to season them for incorporation to other meals…….got any IDEAS……SOUTHERN LADY
The only way we like to “season” grits in the south is with cheese ;)
Wonderful! These grits were a big hit with my family. I like garlicky cheese grits so I added 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder to the liquid. It was just enough.
Oooooo garlicky cheese grits sounds like a dream. I need to try your suggestion. Thank you!
A fabulous lunch or dinner when you want a special treat. Chop vine ripened tomatoes up on top of your cheese grits. Thanks Paula N. from when you were just a “youngin”! Jean
I’ve never had cheese grits but I love some hot grits with a big chunk of butter in the middle for breakfast!
Oh yes, Jordan! Grits for breakfast is a great way to start the day. Grits with butter reminds me of those mornings spent at Waffle House. But if you are a fan of macaroni and cheese or looking to just try something different, I would suggest trying cheese in your grits next time. Cheese, in my opinion, makes everything better.
I love grits. I eat them plain. I also just use water and when the grits thicken I add bacon grease. The best grits ever!
That looks so warm and satisfying–and cheesy! I would definitely have mine with breakfast.
I love grits but don’t have the courage to make it. This looks so easy and yummy. Any tips to avoid lumps or burning the bottom?
To avoid lumps: after the liquid comes to a boil, constantly stir as you are pouring in the grits. If you dump the grits in all at once you risk them clumping together. Also, stirring regularly while they cook will also prevent clumping.
To prevent burning the bottom: stirring the grits while they cook will also prevent burning. Also, these grits cook very quickly. Once you add them to the liquid the heat should be turned down immediately. Do not walk away during the cooking time, stay with it and stir often.
Yum this looks and sounds delicious! I’ve never had cheese grits before and I’ll be honest not exactly sure what it was before this. Looks goooood!
I have a confession – I have never had grits? I do love how tasty this best southern cheese grits recipe looks though so I am thinking I need to whip this up!
This is actually sounding really comforting right now. We’ve had some really rainy days lately so this would really hit the spot.
I made cheese grits for the first time recently and was instantly hooked! I definitely like cheese on the sharper side as well
My brother lived in the south for almost a decade. I loved the cheese grits when I would visit him. Yummers!
So I have never had grits! Crazy right? I have lived in the south my entire life. Clearly I am missing out!
I am shocked, Neely. And you live in the south? You are TOTALLY missing out!
I love grits, especially cheesy one. I am going to try your recipes for sure; thanks for passing it on.
I was JUST introduced to grits when I moved to Arkansas from Canada! I didn’t have cheese with the bowl of grits I tried, but after seeing this, I think I missed out! Do you think this would work with skim milk? I’m lactose intolerant and whole milk sometimes does not sit well!
Yes, you most certainly could use skim milk or even substitute the milk for water.
instead of milk, I use chicken broth made with better than bullion paste or if I have it my own chicken broth. Even people that never liked grits before like mine. One can use other types of broth if desired. Grits one cooked with flavoring of broth or stock are great with a over easy or poached egg on top.
Robert, what a fantastic idea! I’ve never heard of anyone using broth to make grits before but I can imagine it would be a wonderful way to add additional flavor. I will have to try that out. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Love this!