Easy Instant Pot Grits Recipe

Grits have never been easier than when they are made in the Instant Pot! This Instant Pot grits recipe is super simple – it can be eaten plain or dressed up however you want with butter, cheese, and more!

Our family loves grits! I grew up never tasting grits once, but when you marry a boy from the South, well…you have no choice! But I sure am grateful that my husband introduced me to this classic dish because the simplicity truly can’t be beat.

He always says that people who don’t like grits just haven’t had them cooked well – and I would agree! And you’re in luck today because this recipe is easy, delicious, and most importantly – filled with incredible flavor. Making them in the Instant Pot makes this classic Southern dish even better!

Ingredients

• 1 cup stone ground grits
• 3.5 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Our Recommended Add-Ins
• 1/2 cup Butter
• Salt – to taste (we used about 1.5 teaspoons of Redmond’s Salt)
• Pepper – to taste (we used about 1.5 teaspoons).

Instructions

Add water, grits, and salt to the pot of your Instant Pot and mix together.

Set your Instant Pot to manual high pressure for 10 minutes

Natural release pressure for 15 minutes, and then quick pressure release the rest.

Remove the lid.

Stir the grits. If they are too thick, feel free to add a little water or milk to make them thinner.

At this point, you can add whatever mixins you want. I would recommend 1/2 cup butter and salt and butter to taste.

If you are using cheese, mix it while the grits are still hot.

What Should I Serve with Grits?

Grits make for a fantastic side dish to pretty much on breakfast! Here are a few ideas:

• Bacon
• Eggs
• Omelets
• Sausage Breakfast Casserole
• French Toast Breakfast Casserole
• Sweet Potatoes
• Toast
• Shrimp

Variations

There are so many different ways you can dress up grits! I’ve included instructions for adding butter, salt, and pepper in the recipe below, but here are a few other ideas:

• Add shredded cheese to make some cheesy grits – we like cheddar, but you can use whatever you want! It looks like smoked gouda is a popular option.
• Mix in some pimento cheese
• Syrup
• Berries (though I wouldn’t recommend this if you’ve added cheese!)
• Bacon
• Sausage
• Garlic
• Shrimp – who doesn’t love shrimp and grits?!
• Goat cheese and chives

FAQ

I got the burn notice – what do I do?

This happens when there isn’t enough liquid. I would just add a little bit more water. Next time, you could consider cooking pot in pot method. If your pot has a tendency to call for a burn notice, you may want to do this to begin with.

What kind of grits did you use?

I have used different brands, but currently, I really like to use Bob’s Red Mill Corn Grits. They are organic if that matters to you 🙂

Can I use Instant Grits packets for this?

No, this would not be appropriate for this recipe.

Can I add milk?

Certainly! I would add it in after they are done cooking – it may make for a little soupier grits consistency. Alternatively, you could replace some of the water in the cooking with some heavy cream.

Can I double this?

Absolutely! Just make sure you double the liquid, too 🙂

How Do You Make Grits Not Stick to the Pot?

Before adding the grits, make sure the inner pot of your Instant Pot is well-greased or sprayed with cooking oil or non-stick spray. This creates a barrier between the grits and the pot, reducing the chances of sticking. Once you’ve added the grits and liquid to the Instant Pot, stir them thoroughly to distribute them evenly and prevent clumping. This also helps ensure that the grits cook evenly and don’t stick to the bottom.

How To Store Instant Pot Grits

Allow the cooked grits to cool completely at room temperature before storing them. This helps prevent condensation from forming inside the storage container, which can lead to soggy grits.

Once the grits are cool, transfer them to an airtight container. Use a container that is large enough to hold the grits without overcrowding, as this can cause them to become compacted and lose their creamy texture.

Cooked grits will typically last in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. It’s best to consume them within this timeframe to ensure they remain fresh and flavorful.

What Are the Best Grits for Instant Pot Grits?

We have found that the best grits to work with are stone-ground grits- as mentioned in our recipe.

Enjoy something Southern with this easy recipe for grits! You can make it in your Instant Pot and dress it up if you wish. This recipe is quick and tasty. Enjoy!

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