Guide to Grits: 10 Best Savory Variations to try in 2023

The beauty of grits lies in their adaptability. They can seamlessly slide into the background, graciously allowing other ingredients to take center stage, or they can step up and proudly showcase their corn-infused identity. Grits can easily transform from a humble supporting character in a recipe to the star of the show, demonstrating their versatility. This trait makes them a favorite ingredient for chefs and home cooks alike, who enjoy the freedom to experiment, innovate, and personalize their grits.

Now, while grits in their most traditional form—cooked with water, a bit of salt, and finished with a knob of butter—are soulfully delicious, they also provide an opportunity to be adventurous, to explore and experiment. That’s where the real magic happens, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

Today, we journey through ten exceptional ways to cook grits, elevating this Southern staple to new gourmet heights. We move beyond the classic shrimp and grits and wander into a world brimming with an array of flavors and textures that promise to make your grits experience extraordinary.

1. Cotija Cheese Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

1. Bring the water to a boil in a heavy-bottomed saucepan.
2. Slowly stir in the grits, reduce heat to low and cover.
3. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the grits are creamy.
4. Remove from heat and stir in the crumbled Cotija cheese until it melts into the grits.
5. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

2. Roasted Garlic Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 head of garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut off the top of the garlic head, drizzle with olive oil, and wrap in foil. Roast for 30-40 minutes until soft and golden.
2. Once cooled, squeeze the roasted garlic cloves out of their skins and mash with a fork until smooth.
3. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, stir in grits and reduce heat to low.
4. Cook the grits for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until creamy.
5. Stir in the roasted garlic paste and season with salt. Serve hot.

3. Butter and Chives Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Gradually stir in grits.
2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20-25 minutes until grits are thickened and creamy.
3. Remove from heat, stir in butter until melted.
4. Add in the chopped chives and salt to taste. Mix well and serve hot.

4. Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 2 large yellow onions, thinly sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and cook, stirring frequently, until they become golden brown and caramelized, about 20-25 minutes. Add in sliced mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes until softened.
2. Meanwhile, bring water to a boil in a saucepan, add grits, and reduce heat to low.
3. Cook the grits for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until creamy.
4. Stir in the caramelized onions and mushrooms, season with salt and pepper, and serve hot.

5. Extra Sharp White Cheddar Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup extra sharp white cheddar, shredded
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring water to a boil in a saucepan, add grits, and reduce heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until creamy.
3. Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until melted and well combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.

6. Grits with Hot Oil and Cracklings

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup hot oil
• 1/2 cup pork cracklings
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in the grits and reduce heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until they have absorbed the water and become creamy.
3. Stir in the hot oil and pork cracklings. Season with salt to taste.
4. Serve the grits hot with additional cracklings on top, if desired.

7. Pimento Cheese Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup pimento cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the grits, then reduce the heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are creamy.
3. Stir in the pimento cheese until it is thoroughly incorporated into the grits.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve the grits hot.

8. Blue Cheese and Walnut Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 cup blue cheese, crumbled
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are creamy.
3. Stir in the blue cheese and walnuts. Season with salt to taste.
4. Serve the grits hot, garnishing with extra crumbled blue cheese and chopped walnuts, if desired.

9. Smoked Gouda and Bacon Grits

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup smoked Gouda cheese, shredded
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the grits and reduce heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy.
3. Stir in the shredded smoked Gouda cheese until it melts into the grits.
4. Add the crumbled bacon, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the grits hot, garnishing with additional bacon if desired.

10. Grits with Truffle Oil and Ricotta

Ingredients:

• 1 cup grits
• 4 cups water
• 1/4 cup truffle oil
• 1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan. Gradually whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to low.
2. Cook the grits for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are creamy.
3. Stir in the truffle oil and Ricotta cheese.
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Remember to take your time cooking these grits, savoring each step as you stir and blend the ingredients. Enjoy the process as much as you’ll enjoy the final dishes. Happy cooking!

As we find ourselves at the close of this culinary journey, it’s essential to reflect on what we’ve discovered along the way. Each recipe we’ve explored transcends the boundaries of simple nourishment, reminding us of the fundamental link between food and our lifestyle. Our exploration into the world of grits was not merely about adding ten more recipes to our repertoire. It was about embracing the spirit of Southern refinement, about understanding the nuances of a beloved staple, and about celebrating the versatility and tradition that lies at the heart of our cuisine.

One might assume that these recipes alter the humble grit into something unrecognizable, but I’d beg to differ. Instead, they enrich the grits, imbuing them with new flavors and textures while still maintaining their core identity. Each spoonful holds the familiarity of the traditional while simultaneously providing an adventurous burst of the new. These aren’t mere adaptations; they’re evolutions—respectful nods to the history of grits and imaginative glimpses into their future potential.

These recipes highlight the magic that happens when you marry the richness of ingredients like Cotija cheese, the earthy goodness of garlic, the tangy punch of blue cheese, the smoky depth of bacon, and the luxurious essence of truffle oil with the comforting creaminess of grits. Each addition brings out a new facet of the grits, transforming them from a blank canvas into a vibrant masterpiece.

In its heart, Southern cuisine is about comfort, about soul, about creating dishes that warm you from the inside out. It’s about taking time to enjoy the process of cooking, to appreciate the way ingredients meld together, to savor each bite as it teases your palate and satisfies your hunger. It’s about meals that bring families together, recipes that turn into traditions, and dishes that hold memories.

These grits recipes encapsulate that very essence. They’re dishes that you take your time to cook and enjoy, much like a fine bourbon or a leisurely afternoon spent on the porch. They’re steeped in tradition, yet open to innovation. They’re simple, yet sophisticated. They’re Southern to their core, and they’re a testament to the refined gentleman’s lifestyle that appreciates the slower, finer things in life.

In sharing these recipes with you, my hope is that they will inspire you to experiment in your own kitchen, to discover new favorites, and to celebrate the endless versatility of grits. As you try each recipe, may you uncover the joys of Southern cooking, and may each dish bring you closer to mastering the art of slow, refined living.

As you continue your journey of Southern refinement, remember that the ultimate luxury lies in taking your time—in cooking, in savoring, in living. Whether it’s a bowl of grits on a slow morning, a glass of bourbon at dusk, or a barbecue with loved ones, remember to take a moment to appreciate the beauty in these simple pleasures. For in these moments, we truly understand what it means to live the refined Southern lifestyle.

So here’s to the gentleman who appreciates a well-cooked grit, who enjoys the subtleties of flavors and the joys of a slow-paced life. Here’s to you, who finds luxury in quality, comfort in tradition, and pleasure in the refined. Here’s to the embodiment of Southern refinement—you.

Until our next culinary adventure, keep savoring the slow pace, the flavors of life, and the joy of Southern refinement. And remember, as long as there’s a bowl of grits on your table, you’ll always have a piece of the South in your home.

J.L.Surjan

Disclosure: Our blog contains affiliate links to products. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.