These creamy Southern Style Smoked Gouda Grits taste like brunch after Sunday service. They take about 20 minutes to prepare and have just a handful of ingredients. These are typically paired with an egg and meat like my crispy air fried bacon for breakfast, or as part of a shrimp and grits dinner.
What are grits and why do Black people eat them?
Grits are a grain made from grinding corn. They don’t taste like much on their own.
Even though grits and corn have Native American roots, grits became a staple in African American kitchens because they’re not only cheap and fulfilling, but also versatile.
For example, they can be used in place of flour, turned into porridge and elevated with meats and seafood.
Grits, among other things, are reflection of our ability to create something great even when we have just a few resources.
Why Make This
- Grits cooked by Black folk: if you’re looking to learn how to make grits the way Black people make them, then this recipe is one way. You’ll also find other delicious grits recipes across the site.
- Easy, versatile and delicious: in its most basic form, a bowl of grits is both comforting and delicious! But, they are also easy to make and they can be scaled up with meats, seafood, and gravies to be part of fine dining dishes.
Ingredients Needed
- Quick Grits: one way to keep this recipe quick and easy is to use 5-minute grits.
- Chicken Broth: this adds flavor to the grits while they cook. I personally prefer to make my own broth by mixing warm water with a concentrated chicken broth paste. Concentrated broth paste. includes flavors like garlic so it allows to me also add flavor to these grits with a few ingredients.
- Heavy Cream: for the ultimate thick and creamy grits, use cream. But, you can also substitute full-fat milk or half and half.
- Cheese: Cheddar Cheese is the most popular way to make grits. But, I’m using smoked gouda cheese to make smoked gouda grits.
- Butter: I’m using unsalted butter, which allows me to salt to my preference.
- Salt and Pepper: I use sea salt and black pepper. But, you can save this until the end and use to your preference.
How to Make Creamy Smoked Gouda Grits
- Add broth, butter, and cream to a saucepan on medium-high heat.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and sprinkle on the grits.
- Turn the heat to medium-low and stir.
- Add cheese and continue to cook on low until the cheese is melted.
Top Cooking Tips & FAQs
- Serve grits immediately: grits are meant to be served creamy. When they sit, the texture changes and they can become thick and lumpy. So, it’s best to serve them immediately. You can try to save grits that sit by adding a bit more liquid when you’re ready to serve them.
- Be creative with the cheese: even though cheddar cheese grits is most popular, smoked gouda cheese grits are also great.
Recipes to Enjoy this with
Smoked Gouda Grits
Ingredients
- 2 cups Chicken broth low-sodium
- ½ cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tbsp Butter Unsalted
- 1/2 cup Grits Quick, 5-minute
- 1/2 cup Smoked Gouda Cheese finely shredded (this often comes as a block or wedge and would need to be shredded first)
- ½ tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Add chicken broth, heavy cream, and butter to a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Bring the liquids to a boil
- Sprinkle the grits over the boiling liquid
- Turn the heat to medium-low
- Stir occasionally and cook for 3 minutes
- Stir in the cheese and black pepper. Continue to cook the grits until the cheese is melted about 2-3 minutes.
- Top with black pepper and garnishes. Serve immediately.
Patty
Friday 6th of September 2024
Best ever , we had grits with smoked gouda in them at a restaurant in North Carolina, very nice place, I wanted to copy their grits, these are it!
Tanya
Friday 1st of November 2024
Thanks, Patty! So happy you liked the gouda grits. North Carolina sure does have some amazing restaurants. Glad you were able to have those amazing grits at home.
Kerry Frazier
Wednesday 10th of July 2024
I made these grits and they were SPOT ON! I made my own cajun shrimp to go on top and topped with green onions. My man LOVED these shrimp and grits, and so did I! Will definitely become a staple in our hose. Thank you for the recipe!
Tanya
Friday 1st of November 2024
Thank you Kerry! So happy you liked the recipe :)
Lynn M
Thursday 20th of July 2023
This is DELICIOUS. I cut the cayenne in half and still has quite a kick. I did have to cook it almost 90 minutes - a long time. Maybe it's my pan. Otherwise its delicious!
Tanya
Thursday 27th of July 2023
Thank you Lynn M! So happy you liked the grits recipe :)
Elizabeth
Tuesday 6th of September 2022
SO GOOD! Super easy & quick to make. Made these for a school assignment to accompany basted pork chops & root veggies. Clearly, these grits were the star! I added chives also. Love grits & polenta so much that I could swap out potatoes for them at every meal, and that is saying something!
Deborah
Sunday 3rd of July 2022
This recipe is Absolutely DELICIOUS!
Imma
Sunday 3rd of July 2022
Great ! Thanks so much