Description
Southern comfort meets culinary excellence in Alton Brown’s cheesy grits, a creamy, indulgent dish that marries rich cheddar with stone-ground corn. Smooth, velvety, and packed with flavor, these grits promise a delectable journey through traditional Southern cuisine you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Dairy Products:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) whole milk
- 4 tablespoons (56 grams) unsalted butter
- 4 ounces (113 grams) sharp Cheddar, shredded
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240 grams) coarse ground cornmeal
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7 grams) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Liquid Ingredients:
- 2 cups (480 milliliters) water
Instructions
- In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, combine whole milk, water, and kosher salt, heating the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, slowly pour in stone-ground cornmeal while continuously whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Immediately reduce heat to low and cover the pot.
- Uncover the pot every 3 to 4 minutes, using a sturdy whisk to break up any potential clumps, making sure to scrape the bottom and corners of the pot thoroughly.
- Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently until the grits transform into a smooth, velvety texture with a creamy consistency.
- Remove the pot from the heat source and incorporate unsalted butter, stirring until completely melted and integrated.
- Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper into the grits, then gradually fold in shredded sharp cheddar cheese, ensuring even distribution and complete melting.
- Transfer the creamy cheese grits to serving bowls immediately, serving while hot and at peak creaminess to enjoy the optimal texture and flavor.
Notes
- Stir constantly to prevent lumpy grits from forming during the cooking process.
- Select a heavy-bottomed pot to distribute heat evenly and prevent burning at the bottom.
- Keep extra liquid nearby in case the grits become too thick and need thinning.
- Check package instructions for precise water-to-grits ratio, as brands can vary slightly.
- Low and slow cooking allows cornmeal to soften and develop rich, creamy flavors.
- Remove from heat just before reaching desired thickness, as grits will continue to thicken while cooling.
- Taste test midway through cooking to adjust seasoning and ensure perfect flavor balance.
- Consider using chicken broth instead of water for an extra layer of depth and richness.
- Allow grits to rest for a few minutes after cooking to achieve optimal creamy texture.
- Gently fold in butter and cheese to create a luxurious, smooth final dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg