Grilled Polenta
Transform your side dish game with this Grilled Polenta recipe, a simple yet elegant way to enjoy the comforting creaminess of polenta with a smoky, crispy twist. Made from scratch with coarse cornmeal, butter, and Parmesan cheese, the polenta is first cooked to creamy perfection, then chilled and cut into sturdy slices ready for the grill. Once seared to golden perfection, each piece boasts irresistibly crispy edges and a soft, cheesy interior. With just a drizzle of olive oil and a handful of fresh herbs for garnish, this gluten-free dish shines as a versatile star—perfect as a side for grilled meats, a base for roasted vegetables, or even as a unique appetizer. Easy to prepare ahead of time and stunningly delicious, this grilled polenta is sure to impress at any meal.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Polenta (coarse cornmeal)
- 4 cups Water
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 2 tablespoons Unsalted butter
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 tablespoon Fresh herbs (optional, e.g., rosemary, thyme, or parsley)
Instructions
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 teaspoon of salt once the water boils.
Gradually whisk in the polenta, pouring it in a steady stream while continuously stirring to prevent lumps.
Reduce the heat to low and cook the polenta, stirring frequently, for about 20 minutes or until thick and creamy.
Remove the cooked polenta from heat and stir in the butter and grated Parmesan cheese until fully incorporated.
Lightly grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with olive oil, then pour the polenta into the dish, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
Allow the polenta to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm (overnight is ideal).
Once the polenta is firm, turn it out onto a cutting board and slice it into rectangles, squares, or wedges about ½ inch thick.
Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat and brush both sides of the polenta slices with olive oil.
Grill the polenta slices for 4-5 minutes per side, or until they develop golden grill marks and crispy edges.
Optional: Sprinkle fresh herbs over the grilled polenta before serving for added flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
384 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.1 g | 27% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.1 g | 50% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 34 mg | 11% | |
| Sodium | 948 mg | 41% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 32.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.9 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 0.3 g | ||
| Protein | 14.6 g | 29% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.4 mcg | 2% | |
| Calcium | 357 mg | 27% | |
| Iron | 1.3 mg | 7% | |
| Potassium | 79 mg | 2% | |
*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.
