Recipes / Sides

Sides

Creamy Stone-Ground Cheese Grits

4.7(174)

Slow-simmered stone-ground grits turn rich and velvety with sharp cheddar, butter, and a touch of garlic, perfect alongside shrimp or fried fish.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 45 min Total: 50 min 6

Good grits take patience, and stone-ground ones reward every extra minute of stirring with a texture that's never gluey or thin. This version leans savory with sharp cheddar and a whisper of garlic, meant to sit under shrimp, fried fish, or a fried egg just as easily as beside them. Once you taste them made slow, you won't go back to instant.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
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Instructions

  1. 1
    Bring liquid to a boil
    Combine the chicken stock and milk in a heavy-bottomed pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. 2
    Whisk in the grits
    Slowly whisk in the grits, reduce heat to low, and stir constantly for the first 2 minutes to prevent clumping.
  3. 3
    Simmer slowly
    Cover partially and simmer on low, stirring every few minutes, for 35-40 minutes until the grits are creamy and fully tender.
  4. 4
    Add aromatics
    Stir in the butter and minced garlic during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
  5. 5
    Melt in the cheese
    Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar and Parmesan until fully melted and smooth.
  6. 6
    Season and serve
    Season with cayenne, salt, and black pepper, then serve immediately while hot and creamy.

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Okra & Oak Tip

Stir the grits frequently during the first stage of cooking to keep them from settling and scorching on the bottom of the pot.

Storage

Refrigerate up to 3 days; reheat gently on the stove with a splash of milk, stirring often to restore the creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, though the texture will be smoother and less rustic, and the cooking time drops to about 5-7 minutes.
Gritty texture usually means they were rushed off the heat too soon; stone-ground grits need a full 35-40 minutes of gentle simmering to soften completely.

Nutrition

Per serving. Values are estimates.

340
Calories
13g
Protein
28g
Carbs
19g
Fat
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