Cheese Grits: Best Meat Pairings And Why

Cheese grits are a Southern specialty that can be enjoyed at any time of day. While grits are often eaten as a side, they can also be topped with braised beef, griddled sausage, or fried chicken. For those who enjoy seafood, shrimp is a classic pairing, but tilapia or snapper fillets are also good substitutes. For those who enjoy a little spice, shredded beef with pepper jack cheese grits is a comforting option.

Shredded beef

Ingredients:

• 3 pounds chuck roast cut into large pieces
• 2 tablespoons neutral cooking oil (plus more if needed)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 yellow onions, peeled and sliced
• 1 garlic bulb, halved crosswise (peel left on)
• 2 cups red wine or beef stock
• 1 28-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 15-ounce can of whole peeled tomatoes
• 1-2 cups beef stock (more if needed)
• Salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheese (sharp cheddar and/or pepper jack)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne powder (more or less to taste)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

• Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
• Pat the chuck dry and season all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a wide ovenproof pot over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the beef without crowding the pan and cook in batches, 3-4 minutes per side until completely browned all over. Transfer to a bowl. If there is excess oil in the pot, strain it off without losing the fond.
• Cook the onions and garlic: Melt the butter into the same pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for 7-8 minutes until browned. Add the garlic bulb, cut-side down, and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Season with salt and pepper.
• Pour in the wine and scrape up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Bring to a boil.
• Add both cans of whole peeled tomatoes and the beef stock. Season with salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Bring to a boil and then turn off the heat.
• Return the beef to the pot. Flip the garlic bulbs so they are cut-side up and sitting slightly on top of the pot.
• Transfer to the oven and bake for 3 hours until tender. Stir the beef occasionally and spoon broth over the garlic as it cooks.
• Remove the pot from the oven. Scoop out the garlic and transfer it to a plate. Carefully pop the cloves of garlic out of the skin and discard the skin. Using a fork, mash the cloves into a paste.
• Transfer the beef to the same plate and shred it with two forks.
• Lightly mash the tomatoes with a spoon.
• Return the garlic paste and shredded beef to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Add more liquid as necessary and stir occasionally to prevent burning. Taste and season to your preferences.
• Prepare the cheesy grits: In a large saucepan, bring 6 cups of water to a boil.
• Add the grits, whisking as you add them to the water. Reduce heat and whisk regularly for 6 minutes until they begin to thicken.
• Add the milk and cook over low heat for 20-25 minutes, whisking regularly, until the grits are thickened and tender.
• Season with salt, pepper, cayenne, and paprika. Add the cheese and whisk to incorporate. Once melted and thick, turn off the heat.
• Divide the cooked grits between shallow bowls and spoon the shredded beef on top.

Tips:

• This recipe is a blank canvas, so feel free to add extra ingredients such as chilli powder, cumin, harissa, sautéed mushrooms, or mashed potatoes.
• If you prefer your grits with a spicy kick, use a blend of sharp cheddar and pepper jack cheese, and add a few shakes of cayenne.

Sausage

This recipe is a comforting combination of creamy grits topped with Italian sausage, peppers, onions, and a fried egg. It is a perfect brunch or dinner option that is easy to put together and will satisfy a hungry crew.

Smoky Sausage-and-Grits Casserole

This crowd-pleasing brunch dish is full of flavour, with smoked sausage, salt, thyme, garlic powder, and cheddar cheese.

This simple spin on a classic quiche is sure to be a hit at your next brunch.

Easy Cheesy Loaded Grits

This recipe combines sausage, green chillies, and cheeses for a tasty bowl of grits.

Grits & Sausage Casserole

This Southern specialty is a "so good" casserole, according to the recipe creator.

Overnight Sausage and Grits

This recipe is appealing because it can be made the night before and then baked in the oven for an hour before serving. It can be served as a side with pancakes or waffles, or as the main course for brunch.

Bacon

This quiche uses grits instead of pastry dough to form a crispy crust. It's a delicious and beautiful dish that combines bacon and cheese grits with eggs.

Baked Two-Cheese & Bacon Grits

This recipe is a family tradition that is sure to be passed down for generations. It's a Southern specialty that combines bacon, cheese, and grits, with the addition of a second type of cheese for extra flavour.

This rich, soufflé-like dish gets its texture from stone-ground grits. The bacon infusion adds a savoury flavour that pairs well with the cheese in the grits.

Cheesy Grits with Poached Eggs, Greens, and Bacon

This hearty dish is a satisfying option for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It combines the creaminess of cheesy grits with the savouriness of bacon and the freshness of greens.

Swiss Chard-And-Bacon Grits Quiche

This quiche variation includes Swiss chard, adding a nutritious and tasty element to the bacon and cheese grits combination.

Chicken

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Creole seasoning, divided
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 8-ounce package of sliced white mushrooms
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped garlic
• 2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, plus more for grits
• 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
• 1 cup quick-cook grits

Instructions:

• Season the chicken with 1/2 teaspoon of Creole seasoning.
• Coat the chicken with flour, shaking off any excess. Reserve 3 tablespoons of flour for the sauce.
• In a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter.
• Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes on each side. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Add the reserved flour to the skillet and stir.
• Add the mushrooms and cook for 3 minutes.
• Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, chopped garlic, 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning, and Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Stir and bring the sauce to a simmer.
• Add the chicken back into the skillet, cover, and simmer for 6 minutes.
• To prepare the grits, add water and salt to a 3-quart saucepot. Bring to a boil.
• Add the grits to the water and stir. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, covered.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the Parmesan cheese.
• To serve, place the chicken and sauce over the grits and top with green onions.

Tips and Variations:

• For a spicy kick, try using pepper jack cheese in your grits instead of Parmesan.
• If you're short on time, you can use pre-made or leftover chicken and focus on making the cheese grits from scratch.
• You can also bake your chicken and cheese grits in the oven for a heartwarming casserole.
• Feel free to add more vegetables to the dish, such as bell peppers or onions, to give it a Southern veggie combo twist.

Shrimp

Ingredients and Recipe

The basic ingredients for shrimp and cheese grits are:

• Grits (preferably regular or quick corn grits, not instant)
• Chicken or shrimp broth
• Butter or heavy cream
• Sharp cheddar cheese (or a blend of cheddar and pepper jack cheese for extra spice)
• Shrimp (shelled and deveined)

Optional ingredients for added flavour and texture include:

• Bacon
• Garlic
• Scallions or green onions
• Parsley
• Lemon juice
• Smoked paprika
• Hot sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare the dish:

• Cook the grits in boiling broth, stirring vigorously to eliminate lumps, until the liquid is absorbed (regular grits may take up to 45 minutes to cook).
• Add butter, cream, and cheese to the grits, stirring gently to combine.
• Cook the bacon in a separate pan until crispy, then set aside.
• Sauté the shrimp in the bacon grease until they curl and turn pink.
• Add the garlic, scallions, parsley, lemon juice, and spices to the shrimp and cook until the shrimp are fully cooked.
• Spoon the warm grits into serving bowls and top with the shrimp mixture.
• Garnish with crumbled bacon and scallions or green onions.

Nutrition Information

The nutritional content of shrimp and cheese grits will vary depending on the specific ingredients and amounts used. However, a typical serving of this dish may contain approximately 350-550 calories, with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. It is important to note that this dish is not low in calories, so it is best enjoyed on special occasions.

Frequently asked questions