20 Best Recipes with Grits From Breakfast to Dinner

Sure, pasta and potatoes are long-standing carb sides. But recipes with grits for carbs have my heart.

Grits are essentially ground hominy or corn, cooked in broth and cream. They’re creamy, comforting, and easy to make!

Of course, all you need is a bit of inspiration to get you started. 

This list of 20 recipes with grits is sure to get your wheels turning. All you have to do is get your favorite pot and get cooking!

1. Shrimp and Grits

You know you just can’t go wrong with classics like shrimp and grits. This fan favorite is easy to make, and always comes out delicious. 

Start with a bowl of buttery grits and top with bacon, shrimp, and veggies. The peppers, onions, shrimp, and bacon are finished in broth.

Don’t worry, the veggies don’t take from the warm, heartiness of these grits. You could even add some spicier peppers for more flavor!

2. Hominy Grits

If you’re craving the flavor of grits but looking for a different texture, try this recipe! These are made with whole hominy, rather than ground corn.

Use canned hominy to make this side dish in a flash. Simply boil the hominy with coconut milk, nutritional yeast, and spices. 

Top with a seared serrano pepper and enjoy. This is great to accompany eggs and bacon, or even at a backyard barbeque!

3. Grits Breakfast Bowl

You’re destined to have a great day with a bowl of grits like this. Who doesn’t want to feel full and happy before conquering the day?

So what’s for breakfast? A bowl of cheesy grits, topped with sausage, scrambled eggs, and chives. Sounds like joy to me!

You can make this recipe as is, or add to it for a bit of variety. Some spicy peppers or bacon bits on top might just hit the spot!

4. Sweet, Creamy Breakfast Grits

I’ll admit, grits have always been a savory dish in my mind. But these sweet grits are just the change we need.

The thick and creamy grits are prepared with butter, cream, and honey for subtle sweetness.

Then, top them with juicy berries for an oatmeal-like breakfast.

These creamy sweet grits are excellent with any berry variety. You might also enjoy cinnamon apples or pears on top, too!

5. Savory Breakfast Grits

Every cup of coffee deserves the accompaniment of cheesy, hearty grits, especially when bacon is involved!

You can’t go wrong with bacon. But you can make it even better with cheesy grits, green onions, and a fried egg.

The recipe calls for hot sauce. While I like the heat, you can easily omit this if desired.

6. Easy Crispy Grit Cakes

Grit cakes are an excellent side for any meal of the day. They’re easy, scrumptious, and pair with a variety of main dishes.

First boil the grits, then spread on a sheet pan to cool. After cooling, cut into the desired shape, broil, and you’re done!

These grit cakes are an excellent alternative to biscuits for creamy gravy. Or, serve them at dinner with fish, shrimp, or fried chicken.

7. Southern-Style Grits with Okra, Corn, and Goat Cheese

Grits are such a versatile starch. No need to stick to the basics with delicious dishes like these.

Roasted okra, sweet, corn, ginger, and goat cheese are piled onto the grits. The ingredient list may look long, but don’t fret!

You can add or omit ingredients to your palette. Jazz it up or stick to the basics. These southern grits are delicious to the last bite. 

8. Cracked Out Grits Casserole

The south strikes twice with this recipe. Not only are you getting creamy, savory grits, but it’s all in the glory of a casserole dish!

Picture crack chicken casserole meets breakfast grits. Yeah, you’ll definitely go back for seconds.

These grits are loaded with Velveeta cheese, bacon, and eggs for a whole breakfast in one. The flavor of this casserole comes from ranch dressing mix. 

9. Skinny Rotisserie Chicken and Grits Casserole

Rotisserie chicken makes every dinner that much easier. Juicy chicken and barbeque sauce are perfect partners for creamy grits. 

The grits in this casserole are ultimately rich and cheesy. Cream cheese, chicken, and grits all mixed together in your favorite casserole dish.

Barbeque sauce is the perfect condiment for this casserole. However, you could enjoy them as they are. 

10. Healthy Chorizo Grits Breakfast Bowls

Sometimes I feel intimidated by cooking chorizo for breakfast.

Sure, the standard breakfast burrito is easy. But grits and chorizo are an excellent alternative!

These bowls are so easy to put together for a hearty, healthy breakfast.

Simply fill your bowl with quick grits, low-fat chorizo, and garnishes of choice.

To keep it healthy and balanced, I recommend you top with avocado, cotija cheese, and a pinch of cilantro.

A quick pico de gallo would also be excellent on these bowls. 

11. Old Bay Cheddar Grits With Andouille and Tomatoes

Who says Old Bay is for seafood? Only people who haven’t used it in their grits!

These flavorful cheese grits are the perfect base for any protein. Andouille sausage compliments the flavor of the grits, tomatoes, and peppers. 

You could even add some shrimp to this recipe for a bit of extra flavor!

12. Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage

Cajun and grits might just go hand in hand. The combo is spicy, comforting, filling, and easy. What’s not to love?

Zesty Andouille sausage, peppers, and shrimp sound great on their own. Add in the grits for your next favorite dinner. 

13. BBQ Meatballs with Cheese Grits

Grits and BBQ may sound different, but change can be good.

Picture this: juicy homemade meatballs slathered in BBQ sauce. All that goodness is loaded into a bowl of cheesy, creamy grits. 

The only thing missing is a heaping pile of collard greens. Talk about yum!

14. Lemon-Garlic Shrimp and Grits

Tired of eating the same old shrimp and grits? Don’t worry, these will not disappoint!

Herb butter, lemon, and garlic work together to make some of the best shrimp. The only way to make them better is with grits!

15. Cheesy Grits Casserole with Breakfast Sausage

Breakfast casseroles are the perfect way to start a lazy Sunday. This is a stick-to-your-bones type of breakfast casserole, and I’m all for it!

There are three components to this casserole: sausage, scrambled eggs, and grits. Mix these up, and top with butter before baking.

Of course, what would this casserole be without a load of cheese on top? It’s bubbly, warm, and delicious. 

16. Pimento Cheese Brunch Grits

What makes brunch even better? Grits. Cheesy, peppery, pimento grits. 

Prepare your grits, and stir in pimentos, cheddar, and cream cheese. Adding mayo makes these grits ultra rich and creamy. 

Top those grits with a couple of slices of bacon and eggs, and you have brunch. It’s the perfect partner for a morning mimosa!

17. Cajun Fried Fish and Cheese Grits

Summer means it’s fish fry time in my kitchen.

Orange roughy is a mild, white fish. This fish is breaded and fried full of flavor. 

Pile on the fried fish over a bed of cheesy, cream grits. You can add veggies, but why mess with perfection?

18. Grillades and Grits

This recipe takes a bit longer to be table ready, but it’s worth the wait. After all, good things come with time, right?

These aren’t any ordinary grits. They’re topped with slow-cooked beef and veggies in gravy. 

The meat is combined with peppers and onions in a thick, beefy gravy. Imagine stew meets fajitas meets grits. Yum!

19. Keto Cauliflower Grits and Shrimp

Sticking to a keto diet, but craving comfort food? Give these keto grits and shrimp a try!

The grits are made with cauliflower, then cooked with spices, cheese, and cream. Top with bacon, shrimp, and green onions.

All the comfort, minus the carbs. Does it get any better?

20. Spring Onion Pimiento Cheese Grits

Ditch the mashed potatoes, as these grits are some serious competition. Flavorful, creamy, and so dang easy.

These grits are so cheesy and flavorful. The cheese mixture has pimentos, onions, and butter folded in. 

I love to serve this grits in tart dishes with a fried egg on top. But of course, they’re good for any meal of the day.