Grits on the Grill

5 from 1 vote

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This recipe for Grits from the grill is a tasty example of an Americana fusion food. We take a traditional southern breakfast side dish and turn it into a grilled side dish. This recipe for grits is perfect for your next outdoor cookout.

Plate of grilled grits

About these

When a physician colleague of mine extended an invitation to his house for a barbecue, I happily accepted. Mentioning that he wanted to make a little more room in his wine cellar, I knew that this small gathering from a bona fide foodie was an evening that I did not want to miss.

A plate of grilled grits.

Ingredients for Grits on the Grill

  • Instant grits
  • Reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • Extra-sharp cheddar cheese
  • Sweet corn
  • Jalapeno pepper
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper

Thinking that it was going to be a bit more than your potato chips and baked bean type of a cookout, I set my mind to coming up with something new and different and a dish that would go well with the likes of pork tenderloin, prime rib, and veal on the grill.

My inspiration for these Grilled Grits comes from The Barbecue! Bible, a book gifted to me sometime back by my sister, who is a chef and my go-to resource for all things food.

I grew up eating grits, typically with eggs and toast for breakfast but later while living in the Carolinas, often in dishes such as shrimp and grits and the likes.

Many people from this side of the Mason-Dixon line have heard of grits but are not familiar with this food that dates back centuries. A gift from Native American people, grits are procured from corn kernels that are soaked in an alkaline solution, dried and then ground.

How to make them

(Full recipe is at the bottom of this post.)

A stack of corn grits

Mixed with some butter and salt, grits are a traditional southern staple and a breakfast side dish that I’ve always enjoyed. These grilled grits are made by preparing grits in the usual fashion with a few simple modifications and then placed on a hot grill.

  • Prepare some instant grits as directed.
  • Add our additional ingredients.
  • Spread the mixture in a baking pan and allow to cool in the refrigerator.
  • Use a round form to cut out the grit patties.
  • Grill the grit patties on a hot, greased grill for five minutes on each side.
  • Garnish with fresh kernels of sweet corn, fresh from the cob.

These grilled grits are a sweet and savory side dish that you will enjoy at your next cookout. Be sure to work this recipe into your grilling routine this summer. Happy grilling, and happy summer to you!

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Grits on the Grill

5 from 1 vote
Grilled Grits recipe Inspired by the Barbecue Bible
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Yield: 8 People

Ingredients 

  • 3 cups instant grits
  • 5 cups reduced sodium chicken broth
  • 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ear of sweet corn, grilled and sliced off cob.
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, fine dice.
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  • Bring broth to low boil.
  • Add grits and cook per directions, stirring throughout.
  • Add remaining ingredients to grits, stir to incorporate thoroughly.
  • Add additional broth if necessary to achieve to achieve consistency that is similar to cake batter. Not watery but “spreadable.”
  • Place mixture on a rimmed 9″x11″ baking sheet.
  • Allow to cool, then cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for an hour or two.
  • Grease grates of grill and set grill to medium-high temperature.
  • Either cut grits into rectangles (like bars) or use a round form to cut portions.
  • Place on grill for about 5 minutes per side.
  • Keep warm until ready to serve.

Notes

Brush with additional melted butter while grilling, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 351kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 798mg, Potassium: 266mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 2g, Vitamin A: 356IU, Vitamin C: 3mg, Calcium: 331mg, Iron: 23mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Side Dish
Cuisine: Southern
Tried this recipe?Mention @plattertalk or tag #plattertalk!
 

Meet the Platter Talk Guys

Dan & Scott split their time between Wisconsin and Southwest Florida and are dads to six boys. Good food runs through their veins, and they love showing others how to cook easy recipes.

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5 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Leeplant3@bellsouth.net

    I found a recipe for grilled grits With cheese for a party snack but I lost it. It called for cheese added to the cooked grits and cooled over night. Then cut into triangles and grilled. After it grilled salsa was put on top and served.

  2. These grits look so yummy, and I’ve never even tried grits before! I was born and raised in California, though, so can you blame me?? I’ve always wanted to try grits, and this seems like a really beautiful way to do that. I love that it can be enjoyed as a fancy accompaniment to something like a steak or whatnot. Really gorgeous take on grits, Dan, I’m impressed!

    1. Beeta, thanks for the nice comments and I hope you will try grits in the traditional way, sometime. These were a fun and very different way to prepare them and truly made a great accompaniment to barbecue. Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment!