Credit: Adobe Stock
Difficulty Level: easy
5 min Prep
25 min Cook
30 min Total
4 Servings
Classic grits can feel like real comfort food, especially on mornings when the weather is cold, damp, and unfriendly.
This recipe delivers a great creamy texture, plenty of butter, and a little heat. Perfect for any toppings you want to add.
If you’ve never made grits from scratch, the biggest difference is stirring and timing. Give them time to soften, then season like you mean it.
Quick tip: If you let them sit, they will thicken. To loosen them up, add a splash of milk or water, and stir.
Explore our classic southern grits recipe below.
Classic Southern Grits Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant)
- 4 cups water or broth (for richer flavor)
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Classic Southern Grits Instructions
- Bring the water to a gentle boil in a medium pot.
- Add the salt.
- Slowly whisk in the grits. Go steady, it helps prevent lumps.
- Reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring often, until the grits are thick and tender, 15 to 20 minutes for stone-ground. If you’re using quick grits, follow the shorter timing on the package.
- Stir in the milk and butter. Keep stirring until the butter melts and the grits turn creamy.
- Add cheese if you want, then season with black pepper and more salt to taste.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition
Calories: 180cal
Carbohydrate: 28g
Protein: 3g
Fat: 6g
Cholesterol: – -mg
Sodium: 600mg