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Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs

Creamy Southern stone-ground grits stirred with sharp cheddar and butter until silky, topped with sunny-side-up fried eggs and a crack of black pepper - a simple, soul-satisfying breakfast.

35 minEasyServes 4440 cal/serving

Southern AmericanBreakfastStovetopVegetarianHalal-friendlyGluten-FreeNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-Free

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant)
  • 4 cups water
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper, coarsely ground
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying eggs)
  • as needed hot sauce (for serving)

Instructions

  1. 1

    Bring 4 cups water and 2 cups whole milk to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add 1 tsp salt.

  2. 2

    Gradually whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant) in a steady stream. Reduce heat to the lowest setting and cook, stirring every 3-4 minutes, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy. Add a splash more water if they get too stiff.

  3. 3

    Remove grits from heat. Stir in 4 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese until fully melted and smooth. Season with 1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper. Cover and keep warm.

  4. 4

    In a nonstick skillet, melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying eggs) over medium heat. Crack in 4 large eggs and cook until whites are set but yolks are still runny, about 3 minutes for sunny-side-up.

  5. 5

    Divide the cheesy grits among four bowls. Top each serving with a fried egg. Serve with hot sauce (for serving) on the side.

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Questions

How long does Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs take?

As written, 35 minutes: 10 of prep and 25 of cooking. The longest single stretch is step 2 (25 minutes): "Reduce heat to the lowest setting and cook, stirring every 3-4 minutes, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy."

How do I know the sauce has reduced enough in Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs?

Step 2 reads: "Reduce heat to the lowest setting and cook, stirring every 3-4 minutes, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy." Go by step 2, and note that a wider pan gets there faster. The usual test is that the sauce coats the back of a spoon and a finger drawn through it leaves a clean line.

Can I make Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs less spicy?

Yes. The heat in Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs comes from as needed hot sauce (for serving). For a milder plate, start with half the hot sauce and add more to taste at the end; nothing else in the method changes.

Can I make Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs dairy-free?

Not cleanly. Here the dairy (2 cups whole milk, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded, 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying eggs)) is the backbone of the dish, and plant-based substitutes change both its texture and its flavor. If you need strictly dairy-free, start from the dairy-free breakfast collection instead.

Is Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs gluten-free?

Yes. As written, nothing in the ingredient list for Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs is wheat, barley or rye. Gluten hides in packaged goods, so read the label on the hot sauce.

Does Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs contain eggs?

Yes: 4 large eggs and 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for frying eggs). The full allergen list for this entry is dairy and eggs. Packaged ingredients vary by brand, so check labels if the allergy is serious.

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