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Classic Southern Grits

Stone-ground corn grits are simmered low and slow in milk and water until thick and creamy, finished with butter for a classic Southern breakfast.

⏱ 5 minPrep time
🔥 25 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 BreakfastCategory
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Classic Southern Grits

Grits trace back to Native American Muscogee cooking, where corn was ground and boiled into a porridge long before European settlers arrived in the Southeast. By the 20th century, grits had become an essential Southern breakfast staple, served plain, buttered, or dressed up with cheese and shrimp depending on the meal.

Creamy, buttery, and pure Southern comfort

Stone-ground corn grits are simmered low and slow in milk and water until thick and creamy, finished with butter for a classic Southern breakfast.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Bring the water and milk to a boil in a saucepan.
  2. Whisk in the grits and salt.
  3. Reduce to a low simmer and cook, stirring often, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy.
  4. Stir in the butter until melted.
  5. Add cheddar cheese if using, stirring until melted.
  6. Serve hot.

💡 Chef tips & storage

Stone-ground grits take longer to cook than instant, but reward you with a much creamier, more flavorful result. Keep the heat low and stir often to prevent scorching.

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Recipe details

Prep5 min
Cook25 min
Servings4
CategoryBreakfast
PublishedAugust 12, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →