Best Fried Grits Recipes

SPICY OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CHORIZO REDUCTION

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a large bowl or zip-top bag; mix well. Add chicken and marinate for 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Combine bread crumbs, flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and chili powder in a bowl. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in crumb mixture. Place coated chicken onto the prepared wire rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add milk, water, salt, and pepper to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and add grits. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent clumping. Remove from heat and add Mexican cheese and butter; stir until well incorporated and creamy.
• While chicken and grits are cooking, cook chorizo, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease from the skillet. Stir in garlic and continue to cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce into the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until reduced, stirring as needed, about 15 minutes. Add heavy cream; let simmer and continue to reduce until sauce coats a spoon, about 5 minutes more.
• Place grits into a bowl, top with chorizo reduction sauce, and top with spicy fried chicken. Garnish with Cotija cheese.

SOUTHERN PAN-FRIED QUAIL WITH GRITS

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the buttermilk, 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Add the quail; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for 1 hour. Drain and discard marinade., In a shallow bowl, combine the flour, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne and remaining salt and pepper. Coat quail with flour mixture., In a large skillet, cook quail in oil in batches over medium heat for 4-6 minutes on each side or until a thermometer reads 165°. Drain on paper towels. Remove to a serving platter and keep warm., For gravy, stir flour into pan drippings until blended; cook and stir for 4 minutes or until golden brown. Gradually add the cream, broth, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, prepare grits according to package directions. Add the cream cheese, cream, salt and pepper. Cook and stir until cream cheese is melted and grits are heated through. Serve with quail and gravy; sprinkle with bacon and green onions if desired.

PANKO-BREADED FRIED GRITS CAKES

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a pot over high heat. Add grits and reduce heat to low. Cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5 to 15 minutes. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Pour grits into a greased loaf pan and let cool slightly, 10 to 15 minutes. Cover and refrigerate until firm, 1 hour to overnight.
• Remove chilled grits from the pan and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Place beaten eggs into a shallow dish and panko bread crumbs in another; dip each slice of grits into eggs, followed by bread crumbs.
• Heat butter in a frying pan over medium-high heat. Fry breaded grits slices in the hot butter until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Season with salt.

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Grits:
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Frying and assembly:
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches and returning oil to 350°F between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.

FRIED GRITS PATTIES

Steps:

• In one quart sauce pot bring water to rolling boil. Add butter and salt. Fold in grits and reduce heat to simmer. Cook until grits are tender stirring occasionally. (Can also use quick cooking grits but change water accordingly).
• When cooked remove from heat and stir in sausage, cheese, and pepper. Pour hot grits into sheet pan with 1 inch lip. Smooth out to 3/4" thickness. Cool overnight in refrigerator.
• The next morning use a 3" round cookie cutter to cut circles (about 8 patties).
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium high heat.
• Prepare egg wash: Beat egg and milk together.
• Dip patties into egg wash then flour then egg wash then bread crumbs.
• Pan fry until golden.
• Serve as side dish or under poached eggs.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fill a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet with enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides. Place over medium heat.
• Set up a breading station by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce in 1 pie plate or baking dish, and stirring together the fish fry mix and Cajun seasoning in another. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, and then press into the fish fry mixture, making sure it gets completely coated. Set aside while the oil is heating.
• When the oil reaches about 365 degrees F, carefully place the chicken into the oil. Fry in 2 batches so that the pot does not get overcrowded. Fry until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
• For the grits: In medium pot, heat the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the butter. Whisk in the grits and continue to whisk until thickened. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and serve along with the fried chicken.

CHEESY GRITS WITH FRIED EGGS AND VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Combine 3 1/2 cups water, the milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly add the grits, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low; cook, stirring often, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in the cheese until melted; season with salt and pepper. Keep warm over very low heat.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the carrots and cook until slightly softened, 2 minutes. Add the sugar snap peas and large scallion pieces; season with salt and toss. Add 2 tablespoons water, cover and simmer until the vegetables are crisp-tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the mustard. Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.
• Wipe out the skillet and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon butter over medium heat. Crack in the eggs; season with salt and pepper. Cook until the whites start setting, about 3 minutes, then cover and cook until the whites are set but the yolks are still runny, 1 to 2 more minutes. Top each serving of grits with a fried egg, the vegetables, parsley, dill and sliced scallion.

FRIED SAUSAGE GRITS

Steps:

• In a saucepan, bring water and salt to a boil; slowly add grits, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until very thick; set aside. , In a skillet, cook and crumble sausage until browned; drain. Add sausage and onion to grits; mix well. Spoon into a greased 8x4-in. loaf pan. Chill overnight. , Remove from pan; cut into 1/2-in. slices. Roll slices in cornmeal. In a large skillet, fry in oil until golden brown on both sides.

FRIED CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• 1. If you are starting from scratch, stir uncooked grits slowly into the boiling salted water over medium heat. Simmer grits 4-5 minutes until thickened.
• 2. Stir in the grated cheese until well blended and grits are uniform in color.
• 3. Spoon the grits into a greased square cake pan and smooth the top so it's all even. (If you are using leftover cheese grits, just press them flat into the cake pan.) Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
• 4. When grits are solid and cold, press a paper towel over the top to soak up any condensation. Cut into 9 to 12 squares.
• 5. Fry the squares in two to three batches. Heat about a third of the bacon grease or butter in a heavy skillet over medium heat (cast iron works best). Do not get the pan too hot. Also, use a spatter screen, because bacon grease really pops! Add more bacon grease for each batch.
• 6. Fry the squares of grits for about 5 to 6 minutes per side, until lightly browned. Flip over carefully to fry the other side. Remove to a napkin-lined serving plate and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

TOMATO GRITS WITH FRIED EGGS

Steps:

• Grate 3 tomatoes into a bowl, discarding any remaining skin. Chop the remaining tomato and set aside. Bring 3 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the grits and the grated tomatoes; reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat and cover to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, turning, until crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate; discard all but 1 tablespoon drippings from the skillet. Let the bacon cool slightly, then crumble. Heat the bacon drippings over medium-high heat. Crack in the eggs and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are cooked to desired doneness, 2 to 5 minutes.
• Top each serving of grits with bacon, chopped tomato, cheese and a fried egg; season with salt and pepper.

PAN FRIED QUAIL WITH GRITS AND HAM

Steps:

• Pan-fry quail in butter until done, about 3 or 4 minutes on each side.
• Remove to plate and keep warm in 200 degree oven.
• Pan-fry country ham in butter left over from quail until done, about 3 or 4 minutes on each side remove to plate.
• Prepare grits per package direction, cook for required time.
• When grits are done, add grated cheese, salt and pepper stir well until cheese is melted.
• Add half and half, a little at a time, continuing to cook and stirring until grits are creamy.
• serve Creamy Cheese Grits on plate, arrange quail on plate. Slice country ham into thin strips and place around quail.
• Garnish with thinly-sliced green onions if desired.
• REMEMBER Ham is heavily salted so becareful of how much salt you choose to add.

SHRIMP GRITS, PICKLED JALAPEñO, FRIED EGG

Steps:

• Place the jalapeño slices in a small heatproof bowl.
• In a small saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, sugar, and salt to a boil. Pour over the jalapeño, cover, and let cool. Once the mixture is cool, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
• Grind the shrimp using a meat grinder fitted with a fine (3/16-inch) die.
• Clean and dry the meat grinder and parts (you will need it again later).
• In a large, deep sauté pan over moderate heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter until foamy. Add the ground shrimp, along with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the cayenne, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon (the shrimp will clump, but that is OK), until firm and crumbly, 7 to 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and use the meat grinder fitted with a fine (3/16-inch) die to grind the shrimp 2 more times.
• Return the shrimp "grits" to the large, deep sauté pan, and add the vegetable stock, corn powder, and remaining 4 tablespoons butter. Place over moderate heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened and hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, along with the scallion and pepper. Divide the shrimp "grits" evenly among 4 shallow bowls, garnish with pickled jalapeño slices, and, if desired, top each with 1 fried egg.

FRIED GARLIC GRITS

Steps:

• Line a lightly oiled 13- by 9- by 2-inch baking pan lengthwise with a 24-inch-long sheet of wax paper, letting excess hang over ends.
• Bring water, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper to a boil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot, then slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat and cook at a bare simmer, covered, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 40 minutes. Remove lid and simmer grits, stirring frequently, until very thick and tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool grits in pot 10 minutes, then pour into lined baking pan, smoothing top, and cool completely. Chill grits, covered with plastic wrap, until firm, at least 3 hours.
• Discard plastic wrap and transfer grits on wax paper to a work surface, then pat dry with paper towels. Cut grits into 8 (4 1/2- by 3 1/4-inch) rectangles, then diagonally halve each rectangle to form 2 triangles.
• Put flour, eggs, and bread crumbs in separate shallow dishes. Dredge a grits triangle in flour, knocking off excess, then dip in egg, letting excess drip off, and dredge in bread crumbs. Transfer coated triangle to a large baking sheet. Coat remaining triangles in same manner.
• Preheat oven to 300°F.
• Heat oil in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until it registers 375°F on thermometer. Fry triangles in 4 batches, stirring gently, until crisp and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Return oil to 375°F between batches. Keep grits hot on a rack set in a baking pan in oven while frying other batches.
• *Available at specialty foods shops and Hoppin' John's (800-828-4412; hoppinjohns.com).

FRIED HOMINY GRITS

Steps:

• Day before, add two teaspoons of salt to the boiling water and add the grits gradually, stirring constantly. Cook over low heat, stirring frequently, thirty to forty minutes.
• Stir in the almonds and let mixture cool to warm.
• Pack the warm grits into straight sided iced tea glasses that have been rinsed out with cold water. Chill overnight.
• Next day, loosen around the grits with a knife and allow to unmold. Cut into 1/2 inch thick circles.
• Heat the bacon drippings or lard in a heavy iron skillet.
• Dip the circles in flour and then in the eggs combined with the remaining salt and two tablespoons water.
• Fry the circles in the hot fat until browned on both sides.
• Yield: about twenty circles, 5 servings.
• Heritage cook book.

FRIED GRITS

Steps:

• Add water and salt to a saucepan; bring to a boil; stir in grits.
• Cook grits until done, following the package directions.
• Remove saucepan from heat.
• Add in bacon and 1 tablespoon butter; stir until the butter melts.
• Pour grits into a greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loafpan.
• Cool; cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
• Remove grits by turning the pan over; cut loaf into 1/2 inch slices.
• Melt remaining 1/4 cup butter in a large fry pan.
• Fry slices over medium heat for 5-7 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once.

RAINBOW FRUIT STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH FRIED CHEDDAR GRITS AND A BLUEBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Trim the tenderloin by cutting off all silverskin. In food processor, coarsely chop mixed dried fruit. Insert metal dowel or tool into the end of the meat to make a pocket through the center. Stuff the chopped fruit inside. Season the tenderloin with the olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over a high heat. Sear the tenderloin on all sides until caramel. Cover the meat with aluminum foil and finish cooking it in the oven until the center of the meat reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 30 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes after cooking. Cut tenderloin into medallions. Keep warm until ready to plate. Cheddar Grits: Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350 degrees F. In a medium pot, heat 2 cups of water until boiling. Add the grits and stir continuously until done, about 5 minutes. Add the butter, 1/2 cup of milk, Cheddar and salt and pepper to taste. Pour the grits into a square pan and chill until set, about 30 minutes. Once set, use a small biscuit cutter to cut out rounds. Crack 4 eggs into a bowl and beat gently with a fork. Carefully dip each round in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden and set aside until ready to serve. Blueberry Coulis: Add the blueberries to a small saucepan with water to cover. Add sugar; cook over medium heat until blueberries are completely cooked, about 7 minutes. Strain, reserving cooked blueberries, and add the lemon and orange peel. Let steep until cool. Plating: Put some of the coulis in the middle of the plate. Place 1 of the round pieces of fried grits in the middle of the coulis. Place 1 pork medallion on top of the grits. Continue the process until satisfied with the look. Place the additional blueberries around as garnish along with the parsley. Plate presentation is up to the discretion of the chef.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES AND GRITS

Steps:

• 1. Fry bacon until crisp in skillet, cast-iron if you have it, save the bacon grease. Drain on paper towel. Crumble up when cool.
• 2. Combine flour and cornmeal, adding salt and pepper to taste. Beat eggs and add milk to make egg-dip.
• 3. Heat the skillet you fried the bacon in, you may add more oil if needed to the skillet. Coat green tomato slices in flour mixture, then dip in egg, then coat with flour mixture again. Put in hot skillet and fry until golden on each side, drain on paper towel.
• 4. In a medium pot, bring the water, milk, and salt to a boil. Slowly stir the grits into the boiling mixture. Stir continuously and thoroughly until grits are well mixed. Let the pot return to a boil, cover with a lid, lower the temperature, and cook for approximately 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more milk if necessary. Grits should be creamy but not runny. Stir in the butter.
• 5. Place 4 green tomato slices on a plate. Put a heaping spoonful of grits on top and sprinkle the cumbled bacon evenly on the two plates.

RAINBOW FRUIT STUFFED PORK TENDERLOIN WITH FRIED CHEDDAR GRITS AND A BLUEBERRY COULIS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Rainbow Fruit Stuffed Pork Tenderloin: Trim the tenderloin by cutting off all silverskin. In food processor, coarsely chop mixed dried fruit. Insert metal dowel or tool into the end of the meat to make a pocket through the center. Stuff the chopped fruit inside. Season the tenderloin with the olive oil, herbs, garlic, salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet over a high heat. Sear the tenderloin on all sides until caramel. Cover the meat with aluminum foil and finish cooking it in the oven until the center of the meat reaches 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 30 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes after cooking. Cut tenderloin into medallions. Keep warm until ready to plate.
• Cheddar Grits: Heat oil in a Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium pot, heat 2 cups of water until boiling. Add the grits and stir continuously until done, about 5 minutes. Add the butter, 1/2 cup of milk, Cheddar and salt and pepper to taste. Pour the grits into a square pan and chill until set, about 30 minutes.
• Once set, use a small biscuit cutter to cut out rounds. Crack 4 eggs into a bowl and beat gently with a fork. Carefully dip each round in flour, then egg wash, then breadcrumbs. Fry in hot oil until golden and set aside until ready to serve.
• Blueberry Coulis: Add the blueberries to a small saucepan with water to cover. Add sugar; cook over medium heat until blueberries are completely cooked, about 7 minutes. Strain, reserving cooked blueberries, and add the lemon and orange peel. Let steep until cool.
• Plating: Put some of the coulis in the middle of the plate. Place 1 of the round pieces of fried grits in the middle of the coulis. Place 1 pork medallion on top of the grits. Continue the process until satisfied with the look. Place the additional blueberries around as garnish along with the parsley. Plate presentation is up to the discretion of the chef.

FRIED GRITS

Steps:

• Cook grits according to pkg. directions with 1/2 tsp. baking powder added to the water. Stir in 2 beaten eggs. Add margarine, flour, & sugar. Mix well. Cook 15 minutes more. Pour the grits mixture into a shallow baking dish to a thickness of about 3/4 inch. Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerator overnight. Cut grits into squares of desired size & Sprinkle with salt & pepper. Beat 3 eggs well & add 1/4 cup milk. Dip squares in egg mixture & fry in hot oil in a large iron skillet until golden brown. Turn only one time. Drain on paper towels and serve immediately.

CHEESY FRIED GRITS RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• Grease an 8 by 8-inch square cake pan or rimmed baking sheet with the butter, line with parchement or wax paper and grease again. Set aside. In a large, heavy saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Slowly add the grits, salt and pepper, whisking constantly. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer until thickened, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat, add the cheese, green onions, and garlic, and adjust the seasoning to taste. Turn out the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and using an offset cake spreader or rubber spatula, spread evenly across the bottom. Refrigerate until completely cooled and firm, at least 1 hour. Cut the grits into squares and refrigerate until ready to work. In a large, heavy skillet or saute pan, heat 1/2 cup of the oil to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour and Essence in a shallow dish. Combine the eggs and milk in another shallow dish, whisking to combine. Dredge the squares in the seasoned flour, dip into the egg wash, and then back into the flour, 1 at a time. Fry in batches, turning, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes, adding more oil as necessary. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season fried grits lightly with Essence.