“Grits is a popular southern dish made of coarsely ground corn meal porridge.” The best part about grits, however, is what happens to the leftover bits. Whether you can’t find an appropriate use for them or just want to make something new with your leftovers – here are 13 ideas!
The “what to put on grits for breakfast” is a question that has been asked many times. The answer is simple: any leftover food from the day before can be used in a variety of ways. Some examples include adding it to eggs, using it as a topping for macaroni and cheese, or even making a savory hash with leftovers.
Grits is a thick, silky porridge produced by boiling cornmeal. You may be wondering what to do with a pot that hasn’t been consumed yet. There’s no need to throw away leftover grits now that we’ve compiled a list of delectable options.
What are the best ways to utilize grits that have been left over?
If you have any leftover grits, create savory cakes, sweet nibbles, dumplings, oven bake, or stuffed peppers with them. You may also freeze them in an airtight jar for up to 6 months to use later.
Cakes made with grits
The most common method to utilize cooked grits is to make grits cakes, a Southern favorite. They’re created in the same manner that Italians make fried cakes out of leftover polenta.
To create grits cakes, spoon the grits onto a baking pan and set aside to chill overnight. They’ll solidify and you’ll be able to cut them into pieces. Cut them into whichever form you choose, although 3″ squares are a nice choice. With a cold beer, grits chips make a fantastic burger side dish.
In a pan, fry the cakes until golden brown on the exterior and cooked through, using lots of butter. Instead of pan frying, you might cover the cakes in a breading mix and deep fried them.
Breakfast grits are great when seasoned and served with your favorite sauce. Serve with fried eggs, cheese, and meats such as bacon, ham, pulled pork, or shrimp.
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2. Succulent morsels
If you’ve made plain grits without any savory seasonings, save the leftovers for a sweet snack. Sweet bites are a delightful snack with a taste similar to popcorn.
Chill the grits on a sheet pan in the fridge until stiff, then slice into bite-sized pieces. After that, roll each piece in sugar and caramelize the outsides using a cook’s blow torch.
If you don’t have a torch, broil them in the oven until golden brown on the outside.
3. steamed dumplings
Grits left over may be used to make dumplings. You may use cooked grits instead of ricotta in a ricotta dumpling recipe like this one.
To get the desired consistency, you may need to play about with the ratios. Some chefs like a 2:1 grits-to-flour ratio, which means you’ll need to increase the amount of grits in the recipe above.
4. Bake cheesy grits in the oven
Casseroles are one of the most effective ways to use up leftover veggies and grains. To create this recipe, crush the grits and use them as a casserole foundation in a greased baking dish.
Toss veggies like leeks, carrots, onions, and celery into a bowl after finely chopping them.
Pour over the grits after whisking in few eggs, shredded cheese, and milk. Preheat the oven to 350°F and bake for 45 minutes, or until the veggies are tender and the top is golden brown.
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5. Peppers stuffed
Stuffed peppers are delicious, but you could also use marrow, sweet potato, or tomatoes. Simply mix sliced onion, shallots, sausage chunks, and bacon bits into a frying pan and sauté until browned off over medium-high heat. These ingredients may be used as a vegetable stuffing when combined with heated grits.
If you want to fill sweet potatoes, bear in mind that they will take longer to prepare. So bake them for 20 minutes, or until soft, before stuffing them.
Muffins No. 6
We’ve never tried making muffins using leftover grits, but it’s not impossible. We came upon this dish, which seems to be delicious. They used cheese and chives, but you could also grate in some zucchini or use a cup of frozen veggies.
Waffles, no. 7
Waffles with grits are delicious. Before cooking in a waffle maker, add a cup of grits to this delectable dish.
If you’re going to be creative with your waffles by adding new ingredients, go all out with the toppings as well. Macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter and marshmallow fluff, are two options.
Faux tuiles (number 8)
Do you want a nutritious snack or a crispy dinner garnish? Tuiles are a great option. These aren’t your traditional egg white and flour tuiles.
Instead, apply a thin layer of leftover grits on a Silpat or other non-stick baking liner. Cook till dry in the oven over low heat, then deep fried until crispy.
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9. Sauce
If you cook grits in a small pot with chicken stock, they produce a good sauce. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has reached a simmer, then remove from the heat and mix in the cream.
The final sauce is light, yet it packs a punch in terms of taste. Streak this sauce over the dish, then top with a protein like sirloin, hanger, or skirt steak to bring out your inner chef.
10. Filling for an omelet
Omelets are a quick and simple breakfast or lunch option. Although fried potato is a tasty filler, grits may also be used. To make the ideal supper, combine sautéed onion, leeks, ham, black olives, and cheese.
11. Topping for a pie
A fast and simple mid-week dish is homemade pies topped with fluffy mashed potatoes. Replace the potato topping with grits and a handful or two of grated parmesan or hoop cheese the next time you prepare one.
If you’re not sure what kind of pie to cook, we propose a conventional Shepherd’s pie or a tuna bake.
12. Bread
Grits are a terrific addition to bread, and you can make them in a variety of ways:
- To create spoonbread, often known as corn pudding, beat them firmly and bake them in a dish.
- To give the dough a delightful moist feel, incorporate it into standard fast bread dough.
13. Keep them safe.
If all else fails and you don’t want to prepare anything on this list, put the leftovers in the freezer for later. Fill an airtight container halfway with grits and freeze for up to 6 months. You may also keep them in the fridge for 5-7 days.
Using cheese grits in savory meals is a great idea.
Do you have any ideas for other sorts of leftovers?
Use some of these resources to fight the battle on food waste:
Bechamel sauce leftovers may be used in a variety of ways. Uses for kimchi juice that has been left over. Brioche leftovers may be used in a variety of ways. There are a few things you can do with the remaining braising liquid. Oatmeal leftovers may be used in a variety of ways.
To sum it up
It’s easy to overcook grits, but with this list of suggestions, you’ll never waste any again. Grits cakes are the most typical method to utilize leftovers, despite the fact that they’re all delicious. They are preferred by many Southerners above the original meal. The soft insides and golden outside blend well with other fried meals.
Leftover grits are a staple in the southern United States. Here are 13 delicious ways to use them up. Reference: southern grits recipe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are grits good leftover?
A: You can make them into grits pudding or cook them up with some scrambled eggs.
How do Southerners eat grits?
A: They eat them with a spoon.
Are grits and polenta the same?
A: No, grits are cornmeal that has been ground into finer grains. Polenta is a type of paste made from coarsely ground wheat or maize meal and water.
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