This Cheese Grits Recipe is Southern comfort food at its finest. Creamy, rich, and cheesy, these 15-minute grits make an excellent breakfast or dinner side dish.
Looking for more comfort food recipes to try? Make my Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe!
This cheesy grits recipe is the ultimate comfort food-smooth, buttery, and loaded with melty, sharp cheddar. Made with stone-ground grits and simmered slowly for the perfect texture, it's a warm and hearty dish that pairs perfectly with eggs, shrimp, or fried chicken.
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❤️ Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ultra Creamy Texture: Thanks to the combo of milk, chicken broth, and butter, these grits turn out smooth and velvety every time.
- Comfort Food Classic: Whether served with shrimp, eggs, or on their own, this dish is cozy, filling, and always satisfying.
- One-Pot Simplicity: Only one saucepan is needed to make this recipe! Grits are easy to make and easy to love.
🛒 Ingredients
- Chicken broth: Enhances the flavor more than just water would.
- Quick grits: Quick grits cook fast but still have that soft, satisfying texture.
- Cheddar cheese: Use freshly grated cheese for the best melty, cheesy texture.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
🔄 Substitutions & Variations
- Chicken broth: Swap it with vegetable broth for a vegetarian option.
- Milk: Whole milk makes the creamiest grits, but 2% or even unsweetened almond milk also works in a pinch. If you want the grits to be extra rich, use half-and-half instead.
- Quick grits: You can use stone-ground or old-fashioned grits, but increase the cooking time and stir more frequently. Instant grits aren't recommended-they lack texture and flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Salted butter works too-just reduce the amount of added salt.
- Cheddar cheese: Sharp cheddar gives the grits the most flavor, but feel free to try Colby, Monterey Jack, smoked gouda, or a blend for something different.
🥘 How to Make This Cheesy Grits Recipe
- Combine broth, milk, and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat.
- Add the grits slowly. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook until grits is tender and thickened.
- Stir in pepper, butter, and cheese.
- Top with additional cheese and butter before serving, if desired.
🌟 Expert Tips
- Pour the grits in slowly while whisking. This helps to prevent clumping, which is key to getting that smooth texture.
- Once the grits start cooking, turn the heat to low-boiling too hard can cause them to stick or scorch.
- Broths vary in saltiness, so always taste as you go before adding extra salt.
- Stir in the cheese after cooking the grits so it melts smoothly and doesn't get grainy or clumpy.
💭 FAQs
I often enjoy these cheese grits on their own for a quick, cozy breakfast, but they're also delicious topped with a fried egg, crispy bacon, or crumbled sausage. They also make a perfect base for shrimp or sautéed vegetables and pair well with grilled or fried chicken for an easy dinner.
Leftover cheese grits can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To warm them up, add a splash of milk, broth, or water and stir over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until smooth and creamy again.
🥞 More Breakfast Recipes to Try
📋 Recipe
Cheesy Grits Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup quick grits
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Combine broth, milk, and salt in a saucepan. Heat over medium heat to simmering.
- Add the grits slowly while stirring. Stir until well combined.
- Cover and reduce heat to low. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Remove the lid and stir for 1-2 minutes. Grits will be tender when done. Replace lid and allow to cook for another 3-4 minutes or until thickened.
- Stir in pepper, butter and cheese.
- Top with additional cheese and butter before serving, if desired.
Notes
- Storage Info: Leftover cheese grits can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To warm them up, add a splash of milk, broth, or water and stir over low heat on the stovetop or in the microwave until smooth and creamy again.
Ashley Amundsen says
This grits recipe is sooo easy to make, and it's so yummy! It's the perfect comfort food when you're craving something warm, creamy and cheesy!