This favorite Southern food isn't just for breakfast! Add grits to your menu with our Cheddar cheese grits, shrimp and grits, and grits-bar ideas.
Spiced Pumpkin Grits
Recipe: Spiced Pumpkin Grits
Add a little fall flavor to your grits with canned pumpkin and spiced pecans.
Italian-Style Grits and Greens with Pulled Pork and Mushrooms
Recipe: Italian-Style Grits and Greens with Pulled Pork and Mushrooms
We topped creamy grits and greens with pulled pork and garlicky sautéed mushrooms.
Chicken Chili Pot Pie Recipe
Recipe: Chicken Chili Pot Pie Recipe
The poblano chiles and butternut squash are topped with puffed, cheesy grits. You can make this as individual servings or in a 3-quart baking dish.
Bacon-and-Chive Grit Fries with Smoky Hot Ketchup
Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde
Recipe: Pan-Seared Shrimp with Chive Grits and Salsa Verde
"My mom made shrimp and grits way before it became such an overwhlmingly popular dish. Here, it's made her way but I added a bright, herbaceous salsa verde, which I learned from my days at Gramercy Tavern." - Chef John Hall
Waffled Grits
Recipe: Waffled Bacon & Cheddar Grits
Recipe: Waffled Jalapeño & Monterey Jack Cheese Grits
Recipe: Waffled Gruyère & Ham Grits
Reserve a handful of the stir-in ingredients for a colorful garnish.
Caramelized Onion and Pancetta Grits
Shrimp 'n' Grits Pie
Recipe: Shrimp 'n' Grits Pie
Use a whisk to beat the eggs vigorously and your grits pie will have a light and airy texture.
Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs and Country Gravy
Recipe: Grits Cakes with Poached Eggs and Country Gravy
Trim away uneven edges for a clean look. Use a paring knife, round cookie cutter, or pizza wheel.
Buttermilk Grits with Pear-Granola
Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche
Recipe: Bacon-and-Cheddar Grits Quiche
Spread cheese to the edge of the warm, bacony grits "crust" to prevent any custard from seeping out while the quiche bakes.
Smoked Gouda and Andouille Grits
Recipe: Smoked Gouda and Andouille Grits
Make your grits a little more Cajun with Andouille sausage and rich smoked Gouda.
Perfect Pot of Grits
Recipe: Perfect Pot of Grits
Perfect grits begin with good grits. Use stone-ground varieties to deliver the best flavor and texture. As for the method, we cover grits as they simmer, a revelatory technique that cuts the cook time in half. Follow this recipe to cook grits like a pro.
Creamy Parmesan Grits
Recipe: Creamy Parmesan Grits
Look for Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, which adds nutty flavor and an earthy depth to the grits.
Buttermilk Grits with Country Ham and Shrimp
Summer Corn Grits
Recipe: Summer Corn Grits
Scrape the milky liquid from the corncobs, and add it with the kernels for extra summery flavor.
Cheese Grits and Roasted Tomatoes
Recipe: Cheese Grits and Roasted Tomatoes
Make a double batch of the versatile Roasted Tomatoes, and pair the juicy gems with a cheese tray, salad, or grilled meat.
Blackberry-Yogurt Grits
Recipe: Blackberry-Yogurt Grits
Whether you start your day off with this recipe or turn to it for a snack, you will be happy you made it.
Sausage-and-Grits Quiche
Recipe: Sausage-and-Grits Quiche
Thaw food in the refrigerator. The science behind a slow, even thaw preserves flavor and texture. Impress your brunch company with this clever, simple spin on a traditional quiche.
Hatch Chile Grits Breakfast Bowl
Recipe: Hatch Chile Grits Breakfast Bowl
These creamy grits are topped with a fried egg, making it a perfect way to start the day.
Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits
Recipe: Company Pot Roast with Creamy Mushroom Grits
Bacon, garlic, and red wine imbue humble chuck roast with robust character and rich beef-bourguignon flavor as the meat transforms in the slow cooker. Serve sliced or in chunks over Creamy Mushroom Grits.
Cheesy Grits Soufflé
Recipe: Cheesy Grits Soufflé
Turn a classic Southern dish into a light, fluffy soufflé for the ultimate holiday brunch.
Gumbo Gravy over Stone-ground Grits
Recipe: Gumbo Gravy over Stone-ground Grits
Browned flour makes a low-fat gravy, while the slow cooker creates the creamiest grits without cheese or butter. And with a light gravy, you can indulge in andouille sausage.
Roasted Tomato and Garlic Grits
Recipe: Roasted Tomato and Garlic Grits
This tomato and garlic recipe is topped with feta cheese.
Grits Breakfast Bowl
Recipe: Grits Breakfast Bowl
Grits, bacon, cheese and milk combine to create this satisfying meal. Enjoy this protein-packed breakfast with a bowl of fresh fruit and a glass of milk for a healthy start to your day.
Sausage, Pepper, and Grits Casserole
Recipe: Sausage, Pepper, and Grits Casserole
We took a cue from shepherd's pie and used grits (in lieu of mashed potatoes) to seal in the flavor of juicy sausage in an ever-so-sweet sauce.
Mini Grits and Greens Appetizer
Recipe: Mini Grits and Greens
Warm ceramic soup spoons in a 200° oven for 10 minutes before assembling.
Tasting spoons: assorted variety online and in stores; worldmarket.com
Grits Crostini with Caramelized Apples and Onions
Recipe: Grits Crostini
The sweet savory flavor of Caramelized Apples and Onions pair well with the baked crostini.
One-Pot Shrimp and Grits
Recipe: One-Pot Shrimp and Grits
Spicy andouille, sautéed shrimp, and old-fashioned grits are the backbone of flavor for this One-Pot Shrimp and Grits. Avoid overcrowding the pot when cooking the shrimp so they will brown and cook through quickly.
Shrimp and Grits Dressing
Recipe: Shrimp and Grits Dressing
Few things embody the true taste of the South more than a classic Shrimp and Grits, and what better way to bring the taste of the Lowcountry to your Thanksgiving table than through this incredible must-try dressing. Apart from the usual shrimp and grits, this dressing brings the flavors of breadcrumbs, bell peppers, green onions, and Parmesan cheese to the table. This may become your family’s go-to dressing, or you may find yourself making this dish at any time of the year. Everyone loves a twist on a classic, and once you taste this Shrimp and Grits Dressing you will understand why.
Country Ham and Gouda Grit Cakes with Tomato Gravy
Recipe: Country Ham and Gouda Grit Cakes with Tomato Gravy
Make grits and sauce a day ahead. Grit cakes (browned in a skillet) also make a tasty supper side.
Creole Shrimp and Sweet Potato Grits
Recipe: Creole Shrimp and Sweet Potato Grits
Add a little sweetness and a big superfood boost to your traditional shrimp and grits.
Pimiento Cheese and Brisket Grits
Creole Shrimp and Grits
Recipe: Creole Shrimp and Grits
A New Orleans classic gets a Lowcountry makeover in Creole Shrimp and Grits.
Creamy Grits Casserole
Recipe: Creamy Grits Casserole
This buttery, two-cheese casserole featuring one of the South’s favorite foods is a must for holiday brunches or to serve at dinner with shrimp or ham.
Slow-Cooker Grits
Recipe: Slow-Cooker Grits
Host a grits-bar brunch, and start with these simplified grits (or a cheesy twist). Then, offer a variety of toppings so that everyone can make their favorite combination.
Great Grits Combos
- Boiled Shrimp + Easy Creole Sauce
- Bourbon Mushrooms + Spinach + Swiss + Bacon
- Chopped Ham + Shredded Cheddar
- Caramelized Onions + Shredded Smoked Gruyère
- Shredded Barbecued Pork + BBQ Sauce + Sautéed Spinach
Pepper Jack Grits Poppers
Recipe: Pepper Jack Grits Poppers
Wow your guests with this 6-ingredient twist on the iconic finger food.
Fresh Corn and Chèvre Grits
Recipe: Fresh Corn and Chèvre Grits
This recipe is the perfect side dish for any recipe.
Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits
Recipe: Gulf Coast Shrimp and Grits
True Midtown Kitchen; Mobile, AL
"I worked with a cook who had this great recipe for Italian red sauce, so I translated that into shrimp and grits. For me, this is the perfect comfort food because you have buttery Parmesan grits combined with a rich, tomato-based sauce that's both familiar and just a little different." —Wesley True
Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole
Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole
You simply cannot go wrong with this eggs, cheese, and grits combination. It’s unassuming but absolutely delicious, and a true Southern favorite. It comes together with ingredients that all Southerners have on hand – milk, butter, grits, eggs, and cheese. This creamy grits casserole can be served as is for a casual morning breakfast or as a main dish. Add a sprinkle of crumbled breakfast sausage or diced baked ham for added bulk. Don’t limit this crowd-pleaser to breakfast or brunch. Serve it on the side of a main meat, such as shrimp or brisket for a classic, rich, and comforting Southern supper.
Grits-and-Gumbo Tarts
Recipe: Grits-and-Gumbo Tarts
Capture the iconic flavors of New Orleans in these easy-to-make tarts.
Shrimp and Andouille Sausage With Asiago Grits
Recipe: Shrimp and Andouille Sausage With Asiago Grits
Full of spicy Louisiana flair, this dish is perfect for a more intimate get-together.
Grits Bar
Recipe: Tomato Gravy
Recipe: Parmesan Grits
Feature grits the next time you entertain. Offer both plain and cheese, and keep them hot in slow cookers or chafing dishes. Choose quick-cooking, regular, or white or yellow stone-ground grits. (We don't recommend instant here.)
Serve several toppings, such as Tomato Gravy featured in the photo, so guests can mix in their favorite flavors. Here's some great ideas:
- Gravies and pestos
- Shredded cheeses
- Roasted vegetables
- Crumbled bacon
- Grilled corn kernels
Shrimp and Grits
Recipe: Shrimp and Grits
The original recipe for this hearty shrimp and grits dish is from Bill Smith, executive chef at Crook's Corner, the landmark Southern restaurant in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict
Recipe: Shrimp-and-Grits Eggs Benedict
Our Test Kitchen thought the popular Lowcountry dish shrimp and grits couldn't be improved. Yet Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill in Charleston put a delicious twist on this recipe using fried grits squares, asparagus spears, and a creamy shrimp sauce.
Grits-and-Greens Breakfast Bake
Recipe: Grits-and-Greens Breakfast Bake
This dish combines breakfast favorites grits and eggs with tried-and-true Southern collard greens. Make Simple Collard Greens up to three days ahead for simple prep before mealtime.
Cheese Grit-and-Chive Muffins
Recipe: Cheese Grit-and-Chive Muffins
These biscuits are a perfectly savory accompaniment to country ham.
Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
Recipe: Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole
The key to this delicious brunch dish is in the smoked sausage. Salt, thyme, garlic powder, and cheddar cheese give depth to the casserole’s savory flavor, but the most rich and filling flavor comes from the sausage. Choose local links for unique flavor. We love Conecuh Hickory Smoked Sausage, made in Evergreen, Alabama, since 1947. You can also opt for a breakfast sausage, flavored with sage and black pepper, for a classic breakfast dish. Low on time? You can assemble this up to four days ahead, and keep in the fridge; then let it stand at room temp for 30 minutes before baking.
Cheese Grits
Recipe: Creamy Cheese Grits
Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses lend an unbeatable tangy richness to Creamy Cheese Grits.
Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole
Recipe: Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole
Mixing Cheddar and Parmesan cheeses in Cheddar Cheese Grits Casserole gives it just the right taste. Serve as a hearty, filling side dish for breakfast or any occasion.
