Grits with Cheese
If you've got stone-ground grits and grated cheddar cheese, you're most of the way to this vegetarian: about 60 minutes of cooking across 7 steps. Scroll down for the ingredient checklist, a serving scaler and unit converter, and the method broken into 7 steps.
You'll mainly reach for saucepan and pan. At medium difficulty across 7 steps, it's manageable with a little attention. As written, it's meat-free.
What you'll need
Shopping list (2)
Pantry staples (you likely have these)
Diet: vegetarian — no meat or fish, based on every ingredient listed below.
Contains: Dairy
Allergen labels are informational and may not cover cross-contact; verify every package and consult a qualified professional for medical dietary needs. Diet labels are derived from the ingredient list on this page — how we verify diet and allergen labels.
Food-safety and allergen information is general, not medical advice. Follow current guidance from your local food-safety authority, verify product labels, and seek qualified advice for allergies or health conditions.
How to make it
- Bring the water and salt to a rolling boil in a heavy saucepan.
- Pour the grits in slowly in a steady stream, whisking constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often with a wooden spoon to stop the grits catching on the bottom, for 20 to 30 minutes until thick, smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the milk partway through if the grits become too stiff, to keep them soft and pourable.
- Remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted, followed by the grated cheddar, stirring until the cheese is fully melted and the grits are glossy.
- Season generously with black pepper and taste, adding a little more salt if needed.
- Serve immediately while hot and creamy, as grits thicken quickly as they stand.
You'll use: Saucepan · Pan · Whisk
Ingredient substitutions
- Butter
- olive oil (¾ the amount) · coconut oil · margarine
- Milk
- any unsweetened plant milk · ½ cup evaporated milk + ½ cup water
Tips & common questions
How long does Grits with Cheese take to make?
About 60 minutes from start to finish — an estimate based on the 7 steps and 7 ingredients. Times vary with your kitchen and how much prep you do ahead.
What can I use instead of butter?
Try olive oil (¾ the amount). See the substitutions section above for more swaps.
Can I scale this recipe up or down?
Yes — use the servings control above the ingredients and every quantity rescales automatically (fractions included). Cooking times stay roughly the same; very large batches may need a little longer.
Is Grits with Cheese vegetarian?
Its ingredients contain no meat, fish or shellfish, so it is suitable for vegetarians. Check any cheese for animal rennet if that matters to you.
Related recipes
Adapted recipe — rewritten in our own wording from an open-licensed community cookbook, not yet independently kitchen-tested by Consomee. How we source, test & correct recipes.
Grits with Cheese is adapted by Consomee from the Wikibooks Cookbook, rewritten in our own wording and used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo: Grits with cheese, bacon, green onion and poached egg.jpg by Farther Along, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons. We add the serving scaler, ingredient tools, timing and structure — how we source recipes.