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The Ultimate Creamy Southern Cheese Grits Recipe

Close-up of a white bowl filled with creamy, yellow cheese grits topped with melted cheddar cheese.
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Make the best creamy cheese grits with this authentic Southern style recipe. This guide shows you how to achieve a smooth, rich texture using sharp cheddar and heavy cream, perfect for breakfast or as a savory side dish.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Instructions

  1. Bring the water or chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. If you use broth, this adds depth to your savory cheddar grits side dish.
  2. Slowly whisk in the grits to prevent lumps. Reduce the heat to low.
  3. Cover the saucepan and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes to keep the grits from sticking to the bottom. The mixture should thicken considerably.
  4. Stir in the heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for 2 more minutes until the butter melts and the mixture is hot.
  5. Remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack cheese until the cheese melts completely and the grits are smooth and creamy.
  6. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed. Serve immediately as a comfort food grits base or main dish.

Notes

  • For the creamiest texture, use stone-ground grits instead of quick-cooking grits.
  • Shred your own cheese; pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent smooth melting.
  • To make this a base for shrimp and grits, reduce the liquid slightly and add a pinch of cayenne pepper during the seasoning stage.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cheffinity.com/creamy-southern-cheese-grits-recipe/