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A white bowl filled with creamy grits, topped with shredded cheese and a melting pat of butter.

Southern Style Corn Grits

Chef Jenn
Southern Style Corn Grits are creamy, buttery, and the ultimate comfort food. With simple ingredients and big flavor, this classic side dish is perfect for breakfast or dinner.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine Southern
Servings 6 servings
Calories 299 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 6 cups water
  • 1 1/2 cups corn grits stone-ground
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese grated
  • 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
 

  • Add the grits to a large bowl and cover with water. Refrigerate overnight. Before cooking, skim off any floating hulls and drain the grits well using a fine mesh strainer.
  • Bring 6 cups of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the kosher salt.
  • Gradually whisk the soaked and drained grits into the boiling water to prevent clumps.
  • Lower the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring often, until the grits are thick and tender.
  • Melt the butter with the heavy cream over low heat in a small saucepan.
  • Stir the buttercream mixture into the grits. If using, fold in the shredded Parmesan. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt, if needed. Serve warm.

Notes

Chef Jenn’s Tips

  • Use stone-ground grits for the best flavor and texture. Instant grits won’t give you the same creamy result, and if you soak instant grits overnight, you’ll have a gooey mess.
  • Don’t skip the overnight soak—it shortens the cooking time and gives the creamiest finish.
  • Stir frequently as the grits cook to prevent sticking or scorching on the bottom.
  • If the grits thicken too much, add a splash of water or cream to loosen them up before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 32gProtein: 7gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 44mgSodium: 364mgPotassium: 83mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 624IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 135mgIron: 0.5mg

A Note on Nutritional Information

Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.

Keyword creamy grits, southern grits, stone-ground grits
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