Grits are a staple in the South. They are made from cornmeal, and they’re usually served as a breakfast dish with cheese, bacon, or other toppings. But they’re also wonderful when added to stews or served alongside meat dishes for dinner. You can even make sweet versions of grits by adding sugar or fruit! If you’re a fan of Southern cuisine, we’ve put together a list of some of our favorite recipes from the South so that you can try them out for yourself, like our Biscuits and Gravy, Easy Cake Mix Cornbread, Chicken and Sausage Gumbo, and Corn Casserole.

What are Grits?

Grits are a creamy porridge made from ground corn. The technique originates from the indigenous people of what is now the Southern United States, specifically the Muskogee tribe. British colonists learned this technique from the indigenous people. Now, grits are so popular that they are the official prepared dish of Georgia. Grits can be made from white corn or yellow corn kernels. Most grocery stores sell quick-cooking and stone-ground grits. Much like oatmeal, “quick” refers to a smaller grain and faster cook time. Additionally, “stone-ground” refers to a larger grain and a slower cook time. Grits are similar to polenta, which is also made from ground corn. The difference is  polenta is made from yellow corn, while grits are made from white corn, or hominy.

Quick and Easy Breakfast

If you are looking for a simple, yet delicious addition to your breakfast repertoire, grits are your answer! We wrote this grits recipe using quick grits, so you will love how quickly they come together. You can cook grits with milk or even heavy cream for a richer, creamier texture. 

First, add water, milk, butter, and salt to a pan. Then, bring it to a boil over medium heat. Make sure to stir often so the milk doesn’t scorch on the bottom of the pan. Next, slowly pour the grits into the pan. Stir with a whisk as you add them. Otherwise, they will get clumpy. Then, cover the pan and let simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so. Be sure to scrape the bottom of the pan so nothing sticks. Finally, when they are a thick and creamy consistency, remove from heat, add your toppings, and enjoy!

Sweet Style

Once you’ve cooked up your grits, you can make them savory or sweet. Let’s start with sweet! Add any of these yummy toppings for a sweet breakfast.

Maple syrupBrown sugarFruitNuts and seedsHoneyCinnamon

Some of my favorite combinations include bananas + honey + toasted almonds, berries + maple syrup, and pecans + maple syrup + cinnamon.

Savory Style

If you prefer a more savory breakfast, or you are serving grits with dinner, try some of these toppings.

Use simple seasonings to add flavor: salt and black pepper, garlic powder, a dash of hot sauce.BaconCheddar cheese (note: add the  sharp cheddar cheese when they’re done cooking, but still hot)EggsSausageGreen onionHeirloom tomatoesCaramelized onionPeppers

Some of my favorite combinations include: cheese + bacon + green onion, fried eggs + sausage, and bacon + caramelized onion. Serve them with a side of toast.

More Southern Recipes

Biscuits and GravyCake Mix CornbreadJambalayaSouthern Corn CasseroleSouthern Fried Chicken SandwichKey Lime PieInstant Pot GumboShrimp Po Boys

How to Make Grits

Biscuits and Gravy

Easy Cake Mix Cornbread

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Corn Casserole

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