Patrick Oconnell
Pimento cheese grits are a combination of two Southern classics: grits and pimento cheese. This dish is creamy, cheesy, and can be served for breakfast, as a side, or as a main course for lunch or dinner. The recipe is easy to make and can be adjusted to suit different tastes and preferences. It can be served with various dishes, such as roasted pork tenderloin, chicken, beef Wellington, or turkey. It can also be made in large batches and served as an appetizer or at happy hour on a Southern-themed board.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dish Name | Pimento Cheese Grits |
| Type of Dish | Southern staple, comfort food |
| Main Ingredients | Grits, Pimento Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Milk, Water, Salt, Butter, Cream, Cayenne, Scallions, Green Onions, Chives, Paprika, Garlic Powder, Shredded Cheese |
| Texture | Thick, creamy |
| Taste | Cheesy, spicy, lightly garlicky |
| Serving Suggestions | Pork Tenderloin, Chicken Breasts, Beef Wellington, Turkey Meatloaf, Marinated Pork Tenderloin, Pan-Fried Mahi Mahi, Fried Shrimp, Fried Oysters |
| Storage | Can be refrigerated for up to a week or frozen for up to 3 months |
| Recipe Variations | Spicy and Smoky Pimento Cheese (with cream cheese), Pepper Jack Pimento Cheese, Bobby Flay's version with piquillo peppers |
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What You'll Learn
Pimento cheese grits recipe
Pimento cheese grits are a combination of two Southern favourites: creamy grits and pimento cheese. They can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner and are a fun, delicious, and unexpected dish.
Ingredients
- Milk
- Water
- Salt
- Quick-cooking grits
- Pimento cheese
- Pepper
- Scallions/green onions
- Cayenne (optional)
Method
First, add milk, water, and salt to a pot and bring it to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to medium-low and slowly add the grits, stirring as you do so. Cook for about 15 minutes until the grits have thickened. Turn off the heat and add the pimento cheese and pepper, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, then serve with a sprinkle of green onions or scallions, and paprika or cayenne if you like a little extra heat.
Tips
- You can use store-bought or homemade pimento cheese. Homemade pimento cheese combines sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise (and sometimes cream cheese), and pimento peppers.
- If you have any leftovers, they can be kept in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, simply warm the grits on the stovetop and add a little milk or water.
- For a more elaborate dish, try adding shrimp to your pimento cheese grits.
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How to make pimento cheese grits
Pimento cheese grits are a delicious combination of two Southern favourites—creamy grits and pimento cheese. This mouthwatering dish is perfect for any meal, be it brunch, lunch, or dinner. Here is a detailed recipe for making pimento cheese grits.
Ingredients
- Water
- Milk
- Salt
- Grits (preferably Quaker brand grits or Palmetto Farms Stone Ground Grits)
- Pimento cheese (store-bought or homemade)
- Pepper
- Green onions/scallions/chives/paprika/parsley (optional)
Steps
Add milk, water, and salt to a medium saucepan and bring it to a boil. You can adjust the amount of milk based on your preference for the consistency of the grits. For a thinner consistency, opt for milk with less fat or add extra milk.
Gradually stir in the grits. It is recommended to use quick-cooking grits for this recipe, but not instant grits. Stone-ground grits will also work but need to be cooked for longer.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until thickened, stirring frequently. This should take around 15 minutes, but for stone-ground grits, it may take longer.
Remove from the heat and stir in the pimento cheese and pepper. You can make your own pimento cheese by combining sharp cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, and pimento peppers. You can also add cream cheese to make it extra creamy.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. You can add cayenne pepper for more heat, or garnish with thinly sliced green onions, chives, or a sprinkle of paprika for added colour and flavour.
Serve immediately. You can also store the pimento cheese grits in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, simply stir over low heat, adding a little milk if needed to restore the creamy texture.
Enjoy your delicious and creamy pimento cheese grits!
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Serving suggestions for pimento cheese grits
Pimento cheese grits are a combination of two Southern favourites: creamy grits and pimento cheese. They can be served for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. For breakfast, they go well with eggs and bacon. For lunch or dinner, they can be served with roasted pork tenderloin, crockpot chicken thighs, air fryer roasted turkey breast, or country-style pork ribs. For a holiday lunch or dinner, they can be paired with brown sugar mustard baked ham.
If you are making a large batch of pimento cheese, you can use the leftovers to make grits. You can either use store-bought pimento cheese or make your own at home. For the grits, you can use Quaker brand grits or Palmetto Farms Stone Ground Grits. Stone Ground Grits need to be cooked longer.
To make pimento cheese grits, add milk, water, and salt to a pot and bring it to a boil. Reduce the heat and slowly add the grits while stirring. Cook for about 15 minutes on medium-low heat. Turn off the heat and add the pimento cheese and pepper, stirring to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve with a sprinkle of green onions, chives, or paprika.
Pimento cheese grits can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. To reheat, put them in a saucepan on the stove with a little milk, broth, or water to restore their creamy texture.
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Storing and reheating pimento cheese grits
Pimento cheese grits are a delicious combination of two Southern classics. They are easy to make and can be stored for later consumption. To store pimento cheese grits, let the dish cool down to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and place it in the refrigerator. Stored this way, pimento cheese grits will stay good to eat for up to a week. If you want to store them for longer, you can keep them in the freezer for up to three months.
When you're ready to enjoy your pimento cheese grits again, simply take them out of storage. If they were in the freezer, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. To reheat, place the grits in a saucepan on the stove over low heat. Add a small amount of milk, broth, or water to help restore their creamy texture. Stir the grits frequently to prevent them from sticking to the pan and burning. Continue heating until the grits are thoroughly hot and have reached your desired consistency.
You can adjust the consistency of the reheated grits by varying the amount of liquid you add. If you prefer them on the thicker side, add less liquid, and if you like them creamier, add a bit more. Keep in mind that you can always add more liquid as you go, so start with a smaller amount and increase gradually until you achieve your preferred texture.
For an even creamier result, consider using whole milk or a higher-fat percentage milk. Alternatively, if you're looking for a lighter option, you can use 2%, 1%, or even skim milk. No matter which type of milk you choose, make sure to stir the grits well to ensure they heat evenly and don't stick to the pan.
With these simple storage and reheating instructions, you can easily enjoy pimento cheese grits any time. They're perfect for a quick and comforting meal, whether you're enjoying them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
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Pimento cheese grits as a Southern staple
Pimento cheese grits are a beloved dish in the South, combining two Southern staples into one creamy, cheesy meal. The dish is versatile, serving as a quick breakfast, a side dish, or a staple at brunch or dinner. It can be made in one pan in just 10-15 minutes and can be paired with various main courses, making it a convenient and tasty option for any time of the day.
The base of the dish is grits, which are a much-loved breakfast food in the South. Grits are typically made by boiling milk and salt in a saucepan and then stirring in the grits. For Pimento Cheese Grits, the cook then adds pimento cheese and various seasonings to taste, such as pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne. The dish can be topped with shredded cheese, chives, or scallions, and served immediately.
Pimento cheese is the other key ingredient in this Southern staple. It can be purchased pre-made or made at home. To make it from scratch, one can combine cheddar and cream cheese with piquillo peppers, and season with salt and black pepper. This cheese adds a great deal of flavour to the grits, making the dish even more indulgent and decadent.
Pimento Cheese Grits are a versatile dish that can be served in multiple ways. They can be served as a side dish with roasted pork tenderloin, chicken breasts, beef Wellington, or turkey meatloaf. For a holiday meal, they can be paired with ham or country-style pork ribs. They can also be served at happy hour on a Southern-themed appetizer board or in sandwiches called Spicy Southerners, combined with bacon bourbon jam and fried green tomatoes.
Pimento Cheese Grits are a delicious and comforting combination of two Southern favourites. They are a quick and easy dish to make and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions, making them a convenient and versatile option for any Southern food fan.
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