Cheddar Cheese Grits
Delightfully creamy and packed with rich flavor, these Cheddar Cheese Grits are a Southern comfort food classic that’s perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a satisfying side dish. Made with stone-ground grits simmered to perfection in water and whole milk, this recipe achieves a luscious, velvety texture that’s elevated with sharp cheddar cheese and a touch of unsalted butter. A subtle hint of garlic powder (optional) enhances the savory depth, while black pepper adds the perfect finishing touch. Ready in just 30 minutes, these indulgent grits are the ultimate companion to crispy bacon, succulent shrimp, or golden fried chicken. Whether you’re hosting a weekend brunch or craving a cozy weeknight meal, these cheesy grits are sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of salt to the boiling water.
Slowly whisk in the grits, reducing the heat to low. Stir continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and simmer the grits for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. The texture should be thick and creamy.
Once the grits have thickened, stir in 1 cup of whole milk and continue to cook for 3-5 more minutes. The milk will make the grits extra creamy.
Add 3 tablespoons of unsalted butter to the grits and stir until fully melted and incorporated.
Reduce the heat to the lowest setting. Gradually stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese until the cheese is completely melted and evenly distributed.
Season the grits with black pepper and, if desired, 1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed with additional salt or pepper.
Remove the saucepan from heat and let the grits rest for 1-2 minutes before serving. This allows them to fully thicken.
Serve the Cheddar Cheese Grits hot with additional shredded cheese on top if desired. They pair wonderfully with breakfast proteins like bacon or sausage, or as a side dish to shrimp or fried chicken.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
1600 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 82.8 g | 106% | |
| Saturated Fat | 50.2 g | 251% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 242 mg | 81% | |
| Sodium | 3218 mg | 140% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 168.5 g | 61% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 4.3 g | 15% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.8 g | ||
| Protein | 50.5 g | 101% | |
| Vitamin D | 3.3 mcg | 16% | |
| Calcium | 1187 mg | 91% | |
| Iron | 2.2 mg | 12% | |
| Potassium | 716 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
