Description
These Southern Creamy Grits are a comforting classic, featuring stone-ground grits simmered to perfection with chicken broth, milk, and cheese. Rich, creamy, and packed with flavor, they’re an ideal side dish for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant or quick-cooking)
- 4 cups liquid (2 cups chicken broth, 2 cups whole milk)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (more to taste)
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced (optional)
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Your Grits: Rinse stone-ground grits in cold water, skimming off any floating bits. This step removes bitterness and potential stone fragments.
- Create Your Base: In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring chicken broth and milk to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Watch carefully to prevent boiling over.
- Add the Grits: While whisking continuously, slowly pour grits into the simmering liquid in a thin stream to prevent clumping.
- The Low and Slow Method: Reduce heat to low, partially cover, and stir every 5–7 minutes to prevent sticking. Cook for about 30 minutes, scraping the bottom regularly.
- The Transformation: After 30 minutes, add minced garlic (if using) and continue cooking until grits thicken substantially (around 40 minutes total).
- The Enrichment: Stir in butter and heavy cream until the mixture becomes silky and smooth.
- Cheese Integration: Remove from heat and add grated cheese in three batches, stirring until melted and fully incorporated.
- Final Seasoning: Season with salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning to balance flavors. Garnish with fresh chives before serving.
Notes
Substitutions: Use vegetable broth for a vegetarian version. Replace dairy with non-dairy alternatives for a vegan option. White cheddar can be used for a milder flavor.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
Keywords: southern creamy grits, stone-ground grits recipe, cheesy grits, southern side dish