Southern Grits
On October 16, 2024
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Cornmeal, sharp cheddar, and butter combine for a luscious finish in these Creamy Southern Grits. Perfect as-is, or topped with BBQ shrimp.
Creamy Southern Grits
These Creamy Southern Grits are the perfect main dish or side when you want to bring a little Southern flair to your cookout. This velvety, savory dish turns just 8 simple ingredients into a bowl of pure, comfort-food bliss. Old-fashioned grits simmer in flavorful chicken broth, absorbing every bit of goodness. Then, sharp cheddar cheese, butter, and heavy cream bring a rich and luxurious texture that coats your ribs like a warm hug from the inside.
Whether you’re serving these grits for a hearty breakfast, as a side to your favorite BBQ, or as a base for succulent grilled shrimp, this dish is sure to become a favorite. If you’re ready to add these Creamy Southern Grits as the secret weapon to your BBQ menu, then let’s get started.
What are grits?
Grits have Native American roots, and have become a beloved Southern staple. Made from dried, ground corn, this dish is similar to a gruel or porridge. Every culture has some version of this, and corn is the American offering. Grits are similar to polenta, but with a smoother texture due to the type of corn and fine grind.
They’re super versatile, and work with in all kind of flavor profiles. From savory cheese grits to sweet breakfast grits topped with butter and sugar, this dish works in a variety of Southern recipes and more. For this recipe, you’ll use chicken broth, sharp cheddar, and cream, for a luxurious dish that pairs perfectly with all your favorite BBQ meats and seafoods.
Ingredients for Southern Grits
A great part about grits is they’re so full or sweet, savory flavor, you don’t need to add a lot to make a delicious dish. I only use 8 ingredients for this recipe, most of which you’ve probably got in your pantry already. Here’s what you need to make these creamy, comforting grits:
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- 1 cup old fashioned grits
- 4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 Tablespoons heavy cream
- Kosher salt (to taste)
- black pepper (to taste)
Tips for the Best Grits
The recipe card alone will help you make delicious grits, but I’ve got a few tips to help you make truly creamy, stick-to-your-ribs grits. Follow these tips for even more comforting comfort food:
- Start smart. Use low sodium chicken broth so you can control your seasoning levels in the end. Remember, the cheese will add some salt, too.
- Mix well. Whisk constantly when adding the grits to prevent lumps from forming.
- Fully melt. Sprinkle the cheese in slowly in batches, stirring until fully melted before adding more.
- Don’t rush. Cook the grits low and slow, stirring frequently for the creamiest texture.
How to Make Grits
Alright, now that you know what ingredients you need and you’ve got some secret tips to help you, it’s time to make some Southern Grits. Follow these quick and simple instructions, and you’ll be enjoying your grits in less than 30 minutes:
- Add broth and garlic. On your grill or stovetop, add your chicken broth and chicken to a medium saucepan, then bring to a boil over medium heat. You’ll start to smell the aroma of the garlic here.
- Mix in grits. Pour in your grits slowly, but stir vigorously with a whisk. This step is crucial to ensuring smooth, creamy grits. Otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. Once your grits have absorbed all that rich broth, you’re ready to take the creaminess up another notch.
- Add cream and butter. First, pour in some heavy cream, then whisk until it’s incorporated. Then, add in your butter and stir. Watch as it slowly melts, creating a velvety-smooth texture for your grits.
- Top, serve, and enjoy. Once your grits are ready, then can be enjoyed right away. I like to garnish my grits with some thinly sliced chives and a little more shredded cheese. Grits also taste amazing when topped with any shrimp. Check out my recipe for BBQ Shrimp and Grits if you want some simple shrimp to add.
Serving Suggestions
The versatility of these Creamy Southern Grits makes them perfect for all kinds of different meals. This recipe is already full of sweet, savory, cheesy goodness, so it works great all on its own. I love topping my grits with some BBQ shrimp, or pulled pork. You can serve them as creamy complement with any smoked or grilled meat. Whether you’re look for a simple meal to enjoy yourself, or a flavorful side for a large gathering, these grits are a quick and tasty choice.
More Southern Sides Recipes
Once your family gets a healthy coating of these luscious grits stuck to their ribs, they’ll be wanting Southern-style food all the time. Luckily for you, I’ve got your hookup with hundreds of recipes in the Sides Section of your recipe library. You can also access all these recipes in the Hey Grill Hey App (plus, making shopping lists and meal plans). For now, here are few of my most popular Southern sides to try at your next cookout:
Easy Southern Grits Recipe
Enjoy these Southern Grits and the following food nap with your family, then give this recipe a 5-star rating if you loved it. I want to know what you top your grits with and how you enjoy them best. Pop into the comments section below and tell me how you customize this comfort food classic. You can also tag @heygrillhey on Instagram and Facebook with any mouthwatering photos you want to share with the Hey Grill Hey community.
If you still need some help deciding what to serve with your grits, or you need some help getting started with the BBQ basics, check out my YouTube channel. I’ve got hundreds of videos for all my top recipes, grill and smoker care, and a whole lot more, all to help you become a Backyard BBQ Hero.
Creamy Southern Grits
Ingredients
Cheesy Grits
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 1 cup old fashioned grits
- 4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded, (1 ½ cups)
- 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 Tablespoons heavy cream
- kosher salt to taste
- fresh ground pepper to taste
Optional Garnish
- chives chopped
- extra sharp cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Add broth and garlic. On your grill or stovetop, place the chicken broth and minced garlic in a medium saucepan, then bring to a boil.4 cups low sodium chicken broth, 1 garlic clove
- Mix in grits. Stir in the grits, whisking quickly, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer the grits according to package directions, whisking every few minutes, until they are soft and the stock has been absorbed by the grits.1 cup old fashioned grits
- Add cream and butter. Whisk in the heavy cream and butter until combined. Turn off the heat and stir cheese into the grits in batches until completely melted. Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste.4 ounces extra sharp cheddar cheese, 4 Tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 Tablespoons heavy cream, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper
- Top, serve, and enjoy. Sprinkle a little extra shredded cheese or some chopped scallions as an optional garnish. Serve with your favorite grilled shrimp, or enjoy as-is.chives, extra sharp cheddar cheese
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
