Instant Pot Grits Recipe (2024)

These Instant Pot Grits are a creamy, rich and delicious classic Southern favorite made in minutes using the Instant Pot.

Instant Pot Grits Recipe (1)

There are few things as quintessentially southern as a bowl of grits. I’ve always loved them for breakfast alongside some scrambled eggs or even topped with an easy garlic shrimp for lunch or supper. They are a definite workhorse to keep in your pantry!

For years, I’ve made my easy grits recipe on the stovetop or in my slow cooker, but recently have loved making them in my Instant Pot. They turn out perfectly every single time!

Instant Pot Grits Recipe (2)

What are Grits?

Grits are mature corn kernels that have been ground into coarse pieces. There are a few different types available on the market.

Types of Grits

  • Stone-Ground – Made by coarsely grinding whole dried corn kernels between the two stones of a grist mill. When ground using this method, a few larger pieces of the corn hull, called the chaff, remains and gives a signature appearance when cooked.
  • Hominy Grits – are a type made from hominy. Hominy is corn that has been processed where the hull and germ have been removed. For this type, the hominy is coarsely ground into grits.
  • Regular and Quick Grits– are processed to cook quickly and easily and to last for an extended period. Regular grits have a medium grind while Quick grits have a finer grind for smaller bits.
  • Instant Grits– have been even further processed by being finely ground, precooked and dehydrated.
Instant Pot Grits Recipe (3)

How to Make Instant Pot Grits

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

Ingredients

  • stone ground grits – you can also use the hominy type
  • water
  • salt
  • cream or half and half
  • butter
Instant Pot Grits Recipe (4)

Step by Step Instructions

  • Prepare your Instant Pot by spraying with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
  • Add water to the Instant Pot, followed by the grits and salt.
  • Stir well to combine.
  • Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to HIGH setting.
  • Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow them to naturally release pressure, which will be about 15 minutes.
  • Once they’ve cooked and the pressure has released naturally, carefully remove the lid.
  • Add the cream (or half and half) and butter to the cooked grits. Stir well to combine.
  • Serve with additional butter and shredded cheese if desired.

Note: If your grits are a bit too “soupy” for your taste after cooking them, you can use the Sauté option on the Instant Pot. Cook them with the top off just until the excess water releases.

Instant Pot Grits Recipe (5)

Your grits will be creamy, buttery and delicious! And they are so versatile, they are perfect for breakfast or supper.

Optional Add-Ins

I think you’ll love these optional additions – they are some of our favorites!

  • Cheese – Cheese grits are absolutely delicious. Depending on how you are serving them, they are delicious with various cheeses. Add cheddar cheese for breakfast or brunch. Gouda and Parmesan are perfect additions when served with fish or seafood. When making one of these, stir in about 1/2 – 1 cup of cheese at the same time as adding butter.
  • Pimento Cheese – A classic Southern dish, Pimento Cheese Grits are absolutely out of this world! Simply add 1/2 cup of pimento cheese at the end of cooking at the same time you add the butter.
  • Bacon – Stir in chopped cooked bacon along with a bit of cheese, if you like, for a full meal in one!
Instant Pot Grits Recipe (6)

More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

French Toast

Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce

Buttermilk Pancakes

Blueberry Muffins

Scrambled Eggs

Buttermilk Biscuits

Here’s my Instant Pot Grits recipe. I hope you love them as much as we do!

Instant Pot Grits Recipe

Robyn Stone

4.93 from 13 votes

Instant Pot Grits Recipe – These creamy, rich and delicious grits are a classic Southern favorite made in minutes using the Instant Pot.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups stone ground grits
  • 8 cups water
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 2 cups cream or half and half
  • 6 tablespoons butter, + more for serving

Instructions

  • Spray inside of Instant Pot with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Add water, grits and salt. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and set to HIGH setting for 10 minutes with natural pressure release, about 15 minutes.

  • Once the grits have cooked and the pressure has released naturally, carefully remove the lid to the Instant Pot. Stir in the cream and add the butter. Serve with additional butter and cheese if desired.

Notes

If the grits are too soupy when you make them, you can use the Saute option on the Instant Pot and cook them with the top off just until the excess water releases.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 350kcal | Carbohydrates: 35g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 925mg | Potassium: 158mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 720IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 98mg | Iron: 0.5mg

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

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Enjoy!
Robyn xo

Categorized as:30 Minutes or Less Recipes, All Recipes, Breakfast Recipes, By Cooking Style, Christmas Recipes, Cooking, Easter Recipes, Father’s Day Recipes, Game Day Recipes, Instant Pot Recipes, Make-ahead Recipes, Mother’s Day Recipes, Recipes, Side Dish Recipes, Simple Recipes, Southern Favorites, Vegetable Recipes

Welcome to Add A Pinch

About Robyn

Robyn Stone is a cookbook author, wife, mom, and passionate home cook. Her tested and trusted recipes give readers the confidence to cook recipes the whole family will love. Robyn has been featured on Food Network, People, Southern Living, and more.

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Instant Pot Grits Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the ratio of instant grits to water? ›

1 Cup Grits. 4 Cups Water. 1/4 Tsp Salt (optional)

Are instant grits better with milk or water? ›

No matter which variety, yellow or white, the beauty of grits is their versatility and ability to take on most flavors paired with them, although they are always best when cooked with milk instead of water. The flavor and consistency difference is truly amazing.

What is the secret to good grits? ›

The key to cooking old-fashioned grits is going low and slow—use a low heat so the grits simmer and slowly release their starches, which creates a decadent, silky texture. Whisking constantly during the first couple of minutes, and frequently throughout the rest of the cooking process, will prevent lumps from forming.

How long to cook instant grits? ›

Slowly stir grits and salt into briskly boiling water. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover. Cook 5 to 7 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat.

How many cups of water for 1 cup of grits? ›

1. The ratio you need to remember for stone-ground grits is 4:1. It's 4 cups of liquid to 1 cup of stone-ground grits. You can use all water, or a combination of stock, water, and milk.

How many cups of water for 2 cups of grits? ›

Rule of thumb for perfect grits: 4 parts water to 1 part grits. I'm using 1/2 cup grits and 2 cups of water for a large single serving. Add 2 cups of water to a small saucepan. Put the heat on highest setting until the water boils.

How to make better instant grits? ›

Salted butter: Use unsalted if you're watching your sodium. Melt it into the cooking liquid at the start, and stir it into the pot at the end. This infuses the grits with the flavor, and provides a super velvety texture to the final product. Kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper: To taste, of course.

Are 5 minute grits the same as instant grits? ›

Quick and regular grits: The only difference between these types is in granulation. Quick grits are ground fine and cook in 5 minutes; regular grits are medium grind and cook in 10 minutes. Instant grits: These fine-textured grits have been precooked and dehydrated. To prepare them, simply add boiling water.

Are instant grits as good as regular grits? ›

Instant grits cook in under two minutes by microwaving them with hot water or by simply mixing them into boiling water. Although they are arguably the most convenient option, instant grits are typically considered to be less flavorful than other grits and lack the texture of more traditional varieties.

What can I add to grits for flavor? ›

Toppings for Grits
  1. Sweet: Butter, cinnamon, raisins, syrup, brown sugar, peanut butter, jam, or berries.
  2. Savory: Cheese, fried eggs, bacon (cooked and chopped), caramelized onion, roasted red peppers, tomatoes, scallions, or herbs.
Jun 22, 2022

How to flavor instant grits? ›

What seasoning should I use to turn Quaker Instant Cheesy Grits into good polenta? Just add a few pats of butter, cheddar cheese and a dash of your favorite hot sauce and some salt and pepper.

Are instant grits good? ›

Are Grits Good for You? While stone ground grits provide all the nutrients of a whole grain, the most commonly consumed grits are regular and instant versions that have been processed—They have less fiber, vitamins and minerals.

What is a substitute for butter in grits? ›

Most people associate grits with butter but grits are also delicious and creamy when made with olive oil. Depending on who you ask, grits are similar or identical to Italian polenta. Both are made from ground cornmeal slow cooked over a low flame. Here is a recipe that we adapted from the Courier Journal.

How do you make instant grits not gritty? ›

Instructions
  1. Bring water to boil.
  2. Turn water down to medium-low.
  3. Pour in grits with one hand, whisking with the other hand.
  4. Stir for a minute and turn water to low.
  5. Stir occasionally making sure no lumps are forming.
  6. Allow simmering for at least 15 minutes.
  7. Turn off and remove from heat.
Feb 23, 2023

How to cook 1 cup of grits? ›

Instructions
  1. Boil 3 cups of salted water (3 tsp of salt is PLENTY)
  2. Stir in 1 cup of grits (any kind--white, yellow, stone ground, but NOT INSTANT GRITS)
  3. Add 1 cup milk (or cream, coconut milk, oat milk, etc.) Stir.
  4. Lower heat to LOW. Cover. Let cook 20 min.
  5. Season with salt & pepper to taste. Garnish with whatever.
Mar 23, 2020

How much does 1 cup dry grits make? ›

Typically, it's 4 cups of liquid for 1 cup of grits, but some products will call for different amounts.

How much water do you need for grits for 2 people? ›

For 2 servings: Use 1 cup water, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup grits. For 8 servings: Use 4 cups water, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup grits. For 24 servings: Use 3 quarts water, 1 tablespoon salt, and 3 cups grits.

How much water do you use for a 1 2 cup of grits? ›

To make two servings of grits, measure out 1/2 cup of grits…. …and 2 and 1/4 cups of water. Measure out one Tablespoon of butter and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.

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