Creamy Breakfast Grits with Goat Cheese

5.0
(4)
2 Reviews

These creamy breakfast grits will make you feel like you’re at a high-end brunch spot in your favorite city. Although these take a bit more time than quick or instant grits, stone-ground grits have a vastly better taste and texture. These are wonderful on their own, but you can top them with bacon, roasted mushrooms or a soft-cooked egg.

By
Amanda Stanfield
Amanda Stanfield Headshot
Amanda Stanfield

Amanda Stanfield is a Test Kitchen assistant in the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. She completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and strategic communications at Hampton University. After graduation, Amanda worked in the nonprofit sector as a marketing associate for a global nonprofit organization. In 2018, she pivoted into the food industry and began training in fine-dining restaurants around Atlanta. Later she gained her culinary degree from Johnson & Wales University and went on to work in a variety of kitchens from boutique restaurants to conference hotels. As a true foodie, Amanda seeks out nutritious and unique flavors to inspire others to eat happily and healthfully. When she's not cooking up delicious recipes, you can find her lap swimming in the pool or watching a good sci-fi movie.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Published on October 23, 2023
Tested by
Julia Levy
Julia Levy
Tested by Julia Levy

Julia Levy has been working in recipe publishing for almost a decade, but testing recipes for as long as she's been able to wield a spoon.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD
Emily Lachtrupp Headshot
Reviewed by Dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD

Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
An overhead photograph of a bowl of breakfast grits and cup of coffee with cream.
Photo:

Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)
Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
45 mins
Servings:
4 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Sesame-Free Nut-Free Soy-Free Vegetarian Egg-Free Gluten-Free
Jump to Nutrition Facts
Overhead photo of Breakfast Grits ingredients in individual dishes on a baking sheet

Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1/2 cup finely chopped yellow onion

  • 2 1/2 cups reduced-sodium vegetable broth

  • 1 cup water

  • 3/4 cup whole milk

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

  • 1 cup stone-ground yellow grits

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish 

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/4 cup goat cheese, softened

Directions

  1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 2 minutes. Add broth, water, milk, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium and bring to a simmer. Slowly whisk in grits; cook, covered, until thickened and tender, 35 to 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. (For thicker grits, cook for 45 minutes.)

    Overhead image of cooked grits in a saucepan with a whisk on a hot plate.

    Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

  2. Meanwhile, stir butter, chives, parsley and garlic powder together in a small bowl until evenly combined.

    Image of herbs being stirred into butter.

    Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

  3. Divide the grits among 4 bowls. Top each with 1 tablespoon of the herb butter and 1 tablespoon goat cheese. Garnish with additional chives, if desired.

    Overhead photo of breakfast grits up-close, topped with garlic and herb butter and goat cheese

    Jen Causey (Photographer), Chelsea Zimmer (Food Stylist), Julia Bayless (Prop Stylist)

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are grits for breakfast healthy?

    Stone-ground grits have the nutritional value of a whole grain since they have not been processed the same way instant and quick-cooking grits have been. With that said, instant and quick-cooking grits are often fortified, which puts many of the nutrients back in. Grits tend to be high in antioxidants, B vitamins and iron, and will provide a small boost of fiber, as well.

  • Is this recipe gluten-free?

    Yes, this recipe is gluten-free! Grits are made from a type of corn, called dent corn, that tends to be starchier than other varieties of corn. Corn and all the other ingredients in this recipe are gluten-free, making this a suitable dish for those who need to avoid gluten.

  • Can I use 2% milk instead of whole milk?

    If you don't have whole milk, you can use 2% milk instead. The grits will taste slightly less creamy, but it won’t affect the texture.

  • Is there a substitute for goat cheese?

    If you prefer, you can use crumbled feta as a substitute. For a milder flavor, try cream cheese or ricotta.

  • What can I do with leftover cooked grits?

    Leftover cooked grits can be used like leftover cooked polenta. Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices and cook in a skillet until browned and crisp. Serve alongside ratatouille or chicken salad for a delicious weeknight dinner.

  • What do grits go well with?

    Grits are perfect for breakfast or brunch, topped with crumbled bacon, roasted mushrooms and a sunny-side-up egg or a medium-boiled egg.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers and Jan Valdez

EatingWell.com, October 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

378 Calories
20g Fat
42g Carbs
8g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 cup
Calories 378
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 2g 9%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 8g 16%
Total Fat 20g 26%
Saturated Fat 11g 53%
Cholesterol 42mg 14%
Vitamin A 402µg
Vitamin C 5mg 6%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 1mg 8%
Folate 75µg
Vitamin K 25µg
Sodium 449mg 20%
Calcium 98mg 8%
Iron 2mg 10%
Magnesium 29mg 7%
Potassium 250mg 5%
Zinc 1mg 6%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 0g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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