Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs

Name: Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Southern American
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)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Questions

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.

How long does Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat uncovered in a 400 F oven (or an air fryer) for a few minutes to bring the crust back; the microwave softens it.

Can I halve or double Cheese Grits with Fried Eggs?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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