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

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Fajita-Style Shrimp and Grits

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

Shredded Barbecue Chicken over Grits

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

Creamy, Cheesy Grits with Curried Poached Eggs

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

Southern Brunch Pastry Puff

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

Sausage and Eggs over Cheddar-Parmesan Grits

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

Curried Chicken and Grits Casserole

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

Chorizo & Grits Breakfast Bowls

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

Cheese Grits

Grits make a pleasingly neutral side dish, but these cheese grits bring a little more to the table. The cheese gives them flavor and richness enough to complement most entrees.

Grits & Bacon Casserole

A Mississippi home cook gave me her recipe for grits casserole. It baked like traditional custard. I garnish it with parsley, crumbled bacon and cheese. —Theresa Liguori, Elkridge, Maryland

Slow-Cooker Grits

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

Low & Slow Pork Verde

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

Oven-Baked Shrimp & Grits

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

Overnight Sausage and Grits

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

Grits & Sausage Casserole

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

Grits Pie

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

Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits

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

Cajun Shrimp and Grits

When we're craving southern comfort food, nothing hits the spot like Cajun shrimp and grits. Between the cheesy grits, spicy shrimp and smoky bacon, this dish is the very definition of full-flavored.

Easy Cheesy Loaded Grits

A tasty bowl of grits inspired me to develop my own recipe with sausage, green chiles and cheeses. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas

Carolina Shrimp & Cheddar Grits

Shrimp and grits are a house favorite—if only we could agree on a recipe. I stirred things up with cheddar and Cajun seasoning to find a winner. —Charlotte Price, Raleigh, North Carolina

Spring Onion Pimiento Cheese Grits

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

Ham & Cheese Grits Casserole

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