Whether you're craving a Southern breakfast, some spicy shrimp or a big bowl of cheesy comfort food, these grits recipes are sure to please.
23 Recipes to Make with Grits
Southern Shrimp & Grits
Grits are a specialty in the South. And, yes, grits are different from cornmeal and polenta! I make mine with shrimp and serve it for breakfast, brunch, dinner—anytime! Company loves my down-home shrimp and grits. It’s the perfect comfort food. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
1/22
2/22
Fajita-Style Shrimp and Grits
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I combined two of my favorite dishes—fajitas and shrimp with cheesy grits—into this spicy one-dish meal. For more heat, use pepper jack cheese instead of a Mexican cheese blend. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 561 calories, 23g fat (8g saturated fat), 176mg cholesterol, 1324mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 4g fiber), 33g protein.
3/22
Shredded Barbecue Chicken over Grits
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
There’s nothing like juicy meat served over creamy grits. And the pumpkin in these grits makes them taste like a spicy, comforting bowl of fall flavors. Your family will come running to the table for this one. —Erin Renouf Mylroie, Santa Clara, Utah
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 345 calories, 9g fat (4g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 718mg sodium, 42g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 4g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
4/22
Creamy, Cheesy Grits with Curried Poached Eggs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I first tried curried poached eggs when I lived in Germany. It was delicious with that rich, runny yolk, and serving it over cheesy grits seemed to be the next best move. I'm happy to say my inkling was right. —Shannon Copley, Upper Arlington, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 egg and 3/4 cup grits: 316 calories, 19g fat (9g saturated fat), 228mg cholesterol, 870mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
5/22
Southern Brunch Pastry Puff
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family just about jumps out of bed when the smell of eggs, sausage and buttery pastry hits their noses. This recipe is morning magic. —Misty M. Leddick, Chester, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 587 calories, 39g fat (14g saturated fat), 208mg cholesterol, 766mg sodium, 43g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 5g fiber), 18g protein.
6/22
Sausage and Eggs over Cheddar-Parmesan Grits
Total Time
40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These creamy grits topped with Italian sausage, peppers, onions and a fried egg are total comfort food and perfect for brunch or dinner. They are easy to put together and will satisfy a hungry crew. —Debbie Glasscock, Conway, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 538 calories, 32g fat (12g saturated fat), 253mg cholesterol, 972mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
7/22
Curried Chicken and Grits Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Southern-style cheesy grits meet curry and loads of vegetables to make a satisfying casserole that blankets the house with an inviting aroma. —Lori Shamszadeh, Fairhope, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 629 calories, 53g fat (14g saturated fat), 137mg cholesterol, 1094mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 21g protein.
8/22
Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
While growing up, I bonded with my dad over chorizo and eggs. My fresh approach combines them with grits and black beans for this chorizo breakfast bowl. You can even add a spoonful of pico de gallo. —Jenn Tidwell, Fair Oaks, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 344 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 239mg cholesterol, 636mg sodium, 30g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 4g fiber), 24g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 medium-fat meat, 2 starch.
9/22
Cheese Grits
Total Time
25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
As a comfy side dish, cheese grits have fantastic potential but sometimes need a flavor boost. For add-ins, try red pepper flakes, fresh rosemary or crushed garlic. —Paula Hughes, Birmingham, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 225 calories, 11g fat (6g saturated fat), 34mg cholesterol, 629mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
10/22
Cheesy Bacon and Grits Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
8 servings
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 261 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 81mg cholesterol, 534mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
11/22
Slow-Cooker Grits
Total Time
2 hours 40 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Since moving to the South, I have come to love grits! I also adore my slow cooker, and I worked to find a way to make perfect grits without stirring on the stovetop. I knew this slow-cooker grits recipe was a winner when my mother-in-law overheard someone at a church potluck say that it just wasn’t right that a Midwesterner could make such good grits! —Tacy Fleury, Clinton, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 334 calories, 15g fat (9g saturated fat), 43mg cholesterol, 755mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 11g protein.
12/22
Chile Verde Pork
Total Time
5 hours 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My family loves this versatile pork dish. We like to have it over a serving of cheesy grits, but it also goes well with rice or potatoes. Leftovers make an excellent starter for white chili. —Val Ruble, Ava, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without grits and sour cream): 349 calories, 20g fat (7g saturated fat), 118mg cholesterol, 872mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 34g protein.
13/22
Shrimp and Grits Bake
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
On chilly days, I doctor up grits and top them with shrimp for a comfy meal. If you’re not a seafood lover, use chicken, ham or both. —Jerri Gradert, Lincoln, Nebraska
Nutrition Facts:
1-2/3 cups: 360 calories, 18g fat (10g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 1199mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
14/22
Overnight Sausage and Grits
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This recipe is so appealing because you can make it the night before and then pop it into the oven an hour before you want to eat. It works well as a side with pancakes or waffles, but you can also make it the main course for brunch events. —Susan Ham, Cleveland, Tennessee
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 259 calories, 19g fat (10g saturated fat), 104mg cholesterol, 491mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 11g protein.
15/22
Grits & Sausage Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 45 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
You could call this the "so good casserole" because that's what people say when they try it. It's a southern specialty.—Marie Poppenhager, Old Town, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 316 calories, 24g fat (11g saturated fat), 110mg cholesterol, 621mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 13g protein.
16/22
Grits Pie
Total Time
45 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Simple, southern and scrumptious, this pie will be a definite hit even with people who dislike grits. It has the perfect custardy texture.—Victoria Hudson, Pickens, South Carolina
17/22
Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In the South, everyone loves three things: bacon, cheese and grits! After playing around with this recipe, I took it to my first family party as a newlywed, and it was a huge hit. This recipe has become a family tradition that I'm sure will be passed down for generations. —Melissa Rogers, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 466 calories, 34g fat (18g saturated fat), 143mg cholesterol, 840mg sodium, 23g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 17g protein.
18/22
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Total Time
30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I was born and raised in the South. A few years ago I moved temporarily to Pennsylvania, where good southern comfort food was hard to find. So I created this creamy, smoky Cajun shrimp and grits dish to remind me of home. —Kailey Thompson, Palm Bay, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 560 calories, 34g fat (17g saturated fat), 215mg cholesterol, 968mg sodium, 32g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 2g fiber), 32g protein.
19/22
Easy Cheesy Loaded Grits
Total Time
1 hour 25 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A tasty bowl of grits inspired me to develop my own recipe with sausage, green chiles and cheeses. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 399 calories, 28g fat (15g saturated fat), 116mg cholesterol, 839mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 18g protein.
20/22
Shrimp and Grits
Total Time
35 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A southern specialty sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this shrimp and grits recipe tastes fantastic for brunch or dinner, or any time company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup grits with 1/2 cup shrimp mixture: 699 calories, 44g fat (22g saturated fat), 240mg cholesterol, 1835mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 2g fiber), 41g protein.
21/22
Spring Onion Pimiento Cheese Grits
Total Time
35 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Grits were a breakfast staple when I was growing up. Even today, we still have them about three times a week. The trick with grits is the more you whisk, the creamier they'll be. —Melissa Pelkey Hass, Waleska, Georgia
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 281 calories, 20g fat (10g saturated fat), 41mg cholesterol, 231mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 8g protein.
22/22
Ham & Cheese Grits Casserole
Total Time
1 hour 5 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
My book club ladies often ask me to bring “those grits.” I'd tell you how to store them, but I never have any left! — Debi Mitchell, Flower Mound, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 284 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 51mg cholesterol, 1212mg sodium, 26g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 1g fiber), 20g protein.