Creamy Crockpot Grits

Jump to Recipe

Crockpot Grits is an awesome dump and start Crockpot recipe you’ll want to make again and again.

These creamy grits are great for meal prep and if you’re making them for breakfast, you can easily start them the night before, making breakfast the next morning a breeze.  

Like my Crockpot Mashed Potatoes, Slow Cooker Grits are the perfect side dish to compliment your dinner too. And they’re pretty effortless. Think about those busy nights where you just want a cozy comfort meal ready to go when you get home.

One of my go-to dinners is the classic Creole Shrimp and Grits. #somuchyum.

Depending on how you make your grits, they can either be sweet or savory grits. This can change whether you want them as a breakfast dish, a side or dinner too.

And if you’re wanting true Southern style grits, I bet you’re thinking sweet grits shouldn’t exist. But folks, keep an open mind and try out some variations. 

Love crockpot breakfasts? Then check out this Crockpot Breakfast Casserole and the delicious Crockpot Oatmeal.

What Are Grits?

Grits are a southern staple American food. You can find a similar Italian version called Polenta but they’re not as fine. 

Southern Grits a porridge type meal that’s made from dried corn kernels that have been ground up. Cooked Grits tend to be a thick, smooth, creamy, lightly flavored meal. Depending on what things you add to your grits will determine your flavor. 

Stone-ground grits, which are recommended for this recipe, are ground on a stone mill and are much more coarse than polenta and other types of grits. These course ground grits also retain more sweetness from the corn than other grits. 

They are a southern staple that can be served for breakfast, as a side or even the main event under a bed of shrimp,

Why You’ll ♡ This

• Easily customizable – Think different meals here including breakfast and sides.
• Easy to prep ahead – This fuss free recipe makes them taste even better and creamier the longer they cook. They are a hands off, stir free recipe.
• Budget-Friendly – Inexpensive, filling, and perfect for feeding a crowd. Check out this Jamaican Cornmeal Porridge too.
• Overnight – this works great for overnight grits. Start at 10pm and they are ready by 6am.

Want to make your meal prep even easier? Then check out this collection of awesome Dump and Start Crockpot Recipes for all sorts of stress-free dinner ideas.

Soooo, let’s gather up those ingredients and I will show you ….

Ingredient Notes

• stoneground grits – make sure you et the old fashioned stone ground grits for this.
• water – just plain old water for cooking.
• salt – add salt to taste.
• unsalted butter – use unsalted butter as you are already adding salt.
• heavy cream optional, but highly recommended to give you the creamiest grits the whole family will love.

How To Make Grits In The Crockpot

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card below.

1. Soak your grits in 4-5 cups of water. 
2. The grits will release a part of them that you don’t need. It will float to the top of your soaking water. Skim this off and discard. 
3. Drain your grits in a strainer. 
4. Add grits to the crockpot. Then add your water, the best salt and butter. Mix it all together. 
5. Cover and cook your grits on LOW for 7-8 hours. 
6. For the creamiest grits – Serve grits with butter slices, cream, shredded cheese and more.

Expert Recipe Tips

• Make sure you rinse grits before you cook them to remove that protective coating that’s harmless but feels odd in your mouth. 
• Don’t forget to soak and skim the grits or they won’t turn out correctly. 
• Try draining the grits in a strainer to really make sure they’re ready to cook. 
• It may help to spray your crockpot insert with non-stick spray before adding grits. 
• For easier cleanup, use a crockpot liner. 
• Slow cookers cook at different temperatures and may require different cooking times. Check your specific make and model and consult the manual to ensure proper cooking time and temperature. 
• Here are some of my favorite things to use to make this delicious dish. Do you have any of these too?

Delicious Variations

There’s so many reasons to love these absolutely delicious Southern Crockpot Grits and here are a few other alterations and adaptations to make to find other ways to enjoy them. 

• Add sweetness: Try brown sugar, maple syrup, or stevia. 
• Add dairy: Add more butter, cream, milk, or grated cheese.
• Cheese grits are truly awesome. Stir in some shredded cheese just before serving.
• Add veggies – for a more savory version you can add sliced green onions, fried mushrooms or fried onions, add pepper etc.
• Add meat – like cooked bacon bits, ham, chorizo, cooked sausage etc.
• Add heat – with red pepper flakes, a dash of tabasco, franks hot pepper sauce etc.
• Fruits – add fruits like berries etc for a sweeter breakfast treat.

Pro Tip: Instant and Quick Grits will turn to mush if you use them in the Slow Cooker. Trust me, only use Stone-Ground Grits in the Crock Pot. 

Meal Prep, Prep Ahead, Freeze, Reheat And Store

These delicious crock pot grits are an ideal meal prep recipe because they can be easily stored in the fridge or freezer until you need them. I love to make big batches and freeze till out when I need them.

• Prep Ahead – Make ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days in an airtight container.
• Store – In an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. 
• Freeze – Let grits cool down, store in container and freeze for up to 3 months.
• Reheat – If you want to reheat your refrigerated grits, break up the congealed grits into pieces and add them to 1 cup of boiling water to loosen them up as you whisk them constantly on low heat.
• Meal Prep – Feel free to make a fair amount of grits and with a few adjustments you can get several meals out of them
• Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful crockpot recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of Crockpot recipes.

FAQs

Serving Suggestions

You can eat grits plain or serve them up with plenty of fixings etc.

• Serve with this 10 Minute Blackened Shrimp Recipe.
• Southern Salmon Croquettes. One of my favorite eats.
• Smothered Pork Chops. A perfect combination.
• Crisp Air Fryer Bacon and Air Fryer Hard Boiled Eggs adds so much breakfast flavor.

More Southern Recipes

Check out my full collection of Southern Recipes here or start with these below.

• Southern Fried Pork Chops and gravy.
• Easy Southern Grape Salad.
• Southern Squash Casserole.
• Southern Chicken and Waffles.
• Bourbon Buttermilk Pie.
• Southern Banana Pudding Cake.
• Southern Corn Pudding Cassrole.

Weight Watchers Points 

There are 9 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving.

Recommended Tools

• An awesome crockpot.
• Best ever sea salt flakes.
• Mixing bowls.
• Measuring cups and spoons.

Thank you for reading my Crockpot Grits recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Southern Recipes and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

Get The Slow Cooker Grits Recipe: