The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (2024)

by Carolyn 7 Comments

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This thick and creamy grits recipe is super simple and super creamy.

The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (1)

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. In other words, if you click a link and purchase something I will receive a commission at no cost to you. I only recommend products I use and enjoy myself.We make these creamy grits on Saturdays.Before we press on there are a few key pointers to making grits so good you'd lick them off the kitchen floor. Hey, I won't judge.

How to cook grits:

  • This pointer is vital. Only use stone ground grits. A quick grits recipe using instant grits will never compare to stone ground grits. We are fortunate to have a Lowe's Foods that carries local and regional products including stone ground grits. We buy Palmetto gritsThe Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (2) -white or yellow both work great. If you can't find stone ground grits in the store I know they sell them on Amazon and their website Palmetto farms.
  • Stirring is not just recommended, it's essential! Adding lots of delicious fat (heavy cream, butter etc.) is not actually the key to creamy grits (although it does help). Consistently stirring your grits during cooking releases all that lovely starch into the liquid making the end product oh so creamy.
  • I have found that you don't need heavy cream to make amazing grits - all you need is butter, whole milk and salt. I love when recipes call for pantry staples and nothing more. I can't speak for everyone but I always have milk, butter and salt on hand. Four ingredient recipes make my heart so happy.
  • Give them time. If you want the creamiest grits around cook them for 35 minutes like this recipe calls for.

Does this creamy grits recipe reheat well? And what should I use them for?

Grits reheat very well. I have a thing for recipes that taste just as good if not better the next day. For me this is like an incredible bonus because it's a two for one. I get to enjoy the grits the next day with no additional work. Yes please! I like to reheat my grits on the stove. I add a little bit more milk to them and stir until reheated. You can also pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds, stir and then repeat until reheated.I'm a purist and my favorite way to eat these grits is just how they are.But you can of course:

  • add cheese and/or a fried egg
  • make them into creamy grits with shrimp
  • add roasted cherry tomatoes on top for a sweet and savory combo
  • give them a nice kick - add pepper jack cheese and sautéd minced jalapeno
  • make them alongside bacon and pancakes for a super filling breakfast
The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (3)

Creamy Grits Recipe

Carolyn

The best thick and creamy grits ever!

5 from 5 votes

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Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Equipment

  • medium saucepan

Ingredients

  • ½ Cup stone ground yellow or white grits
  • 2 ½ Cups whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • pinch kosher salt

Instructions

  • Bring the grits, 2 cups of the whole milk, 2 tbsp butter and a large pinch of kosher salt to a boil stirring occasionally so the grits do not burn.

  • Once it comes to a boil turn down to medium low heat and stir occasionally but vigorously for 20 to 30 seconds at a time. Continue to do this until thick like wet sand. It should take around 18 minutes or so.

  • Add ½ cup more milk stirring occasionally but vigorously for 10 more minutes until thick and creamy.

  • Serve and enjoy. Grits will thicken even more as they cool.

Keyword grits

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Madge Zemp

    The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (4)
    These grits are FABULOUS. I’m a born and bred South Carolina girl and have eaten my share of grits. Thanks for recipe!!

    Reply

    • Carolyn

      I'm so glad to hear it!

      Reply

  2. Leslie

    The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (5)
    This is such a yummy recipe!
    Thank you!

    Reply

  3. Ellen

    The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (6)
    Yummy!

    Reply

  4. Monica

    The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (7)
    Sooo good! Best grits I’ve ever made. Also added a little shredded cheddar cheese , the best!

    Reply

  5. Lore

    The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (8)
    These grits are easy to prepare and are so creamy; whole family enjoyed! Thx for sharing.

    Reply

    • Carolyn

      I'm so glad everyone loved them!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

The Best Thick and Creamy Grits Recipe - caramel and cashews (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to great grits? ›

The key to cooking old-fashioned grits is going low and slow—use a low heat so the grits simmer and slowly release their starches, which creates a decadent, silky texture. Whisking constantly during the first couple of minutes, and frequently throughout the rest of the cooking process, will prevent lumps from forming.

Why are my grits not creamy? ›

Make them creamier by cooking longer. Some folks add milk to the water and say that helps as well. The issue with using milk is scorching. Frequent whisking or stirring is essential with all types of grits.

Are grits better with milk or water? ›

No matter which variety, yellow or white, the beauty of grits is their versatility and ability to take on most flavors paired with them, although they are always best when cooked with milk instead of water. The flavor and consistency difference is truly amazing.

What makes grits taste better? ›

Cook with water; finish with dairy.

The taste of grits finished with cream is divine, and you get to avoid the cooked-milk flavor of other methods.

What can I add to grits to make them better? ›

Toppings for Grits
  1. Sweet: Butter, cinnamon, raisins, syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, jam, or berries.
  2. Savory: Cheese, fried eggs, bacon (cooked and chopped), caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, scallions, or herbs.
Jun 22, 2022

Will heavy cream thicken grits? ›

Cream is very fatty and can over-thicken grits when too much is added. Use mostly water and add a small amount of cream, such as the 1/4 to 1/2 cup recommended by our test kitchen. If you want a stronger dairy flavor, you can use a mixture of half milk and half water along with the cream.

Why aren't my grits thick? ›

First, you should make sure that the grits are, in fact, too runny. If you've never cooked grits before, you may not realize that, like polenta, they tend to set up once you take them off the stove, especially if you've added a lot of butter. Another option is to recook the grits.

How long does it take for grits to get thick? ›

the grits until thickened and the grains are tender with just the touch of a bite, similar to a grain of rice, about 10-15 minutes. If the grits thicken too quickly, but the grains are still hard or chewy, whisk in another 1/4 C of warm water to the pot and continue cooking until they're like you want them.

What does adding an egg to grits do? ›

It doesn't taste like egg, not really, but it makes the grits taste richer, with a more cohesive, rib-sticking texture. It's also an easy way to sneak a little more protein in there—six grams per egg—and I've found it amplifies the cheesiness of cheese grits, without adding any extra dairy.

Does cooking grits longer make them thicker? ›

The small bits won't suffer from a longer simmer. See, grits won't get mushy like grains—they'll just get creamier. So just do what you did. Keep the party going on low heat and keep on whisking.

What is the best consistency for grits? ›

Deciding when your grits are done is a personal choice, and will determine your total cooking time. Some people like their grits more on the runny side with a little gritty texture still remaining, others want them creamy and thick but flowing, and some want them so stiff they're able to hold their shape when dolloped.

Is it OK to eat grits every day? ›

Conclusion. Adding grits to your dietary plans is a great move. They are a versatile food option that's packed with iron, B vitamins, antioxidants, and several other nutrients. As with all other foods though, be mindful of the possible downsides like nutrient loss during production and a high carb count.

Can you crack an egg in grits? ›

Cooking Instructions

Press grits into bottom and up sides of 2 cup capacity ovenproof ramekins or baking dishes sprayed with nonstick spray. Make indentation in center of grits. Break egg into indentation. Bake 15 minutes or until egg is desired doneness.

How do most Southerners eat grits? ›

If they turn out kind of runny, we put them in a bowl and eat with a spoon. If they're nice and fluffy, we put them on a plate and eat with a fork. That's how. Is it common for Southerners to eat grits and eggs for breakfast?

What does baking soda do to grits? ›

Baking soda breaks through the structure of the grains of corn, encouraging gelatinization of the grits' starches so that they absorb liquid, thicken up, and get creamy in no time.

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