When you first meet Forrest, you may not immediately notice that he’s a Southern boy. You see, he doesn’t have much of a Southern accent, unless he’s a) tired or b) around a bunch of other Southerners. But even then, it’s not super pronounced.
However, after you get to know Forrest, you’ll definitely know he’s from the South. And one of those traits is a love for grits. Me? I had never even heard of grits before I met Forrest! I was a little bit skeptical when he had me try them for the first time. And I soon found out, unless they are prepared correctly, they aren’t any good. At least, I don’t think so.
I asked on Facebook yesterday who had tried grits. Almost everyone that responded had indeed tried them, and loved them. I’m assuming most everyone else that didn’t respond…hadn’t eaten them. At our house, we have them on a weekly basis. But, we know that’s not probably the case with most people, and we want your first introduction to grits to be delicious. So today, we’re sharing a recipe that people who love grits, hate them, or have never even tried them, are sure to love.
These little grits muffins are full of sausage and bacon, egg, and, most importantly, grits. They are easy to put together, and they pack a whole lot of flavor in one small bite. We made them yesterday, and seriously, we couldn’t stop eating them! They are light and fluffy, and perfect for snacking on.
I think that these would be perfect for a brunch (Christmas, anyone?) or even as an appetizer for a party. They kind of reminded me of a sausage mcmuffin a little bit…only way more delicious. This recipe makes quite a few mini muffins, but if you feel like you would like larger ones, just use a larger muffin tin.
We’ve noticed that a lot of grocery stores are selling instant grits nowadays, which is awesome. However, you won’t want to use the kinds that come in the packets. We bought a package at Sprouts, and I think that most grocery stores will have them. Hopefully trying out this recipe will help introduce people to how yummy grits can be (and cure any bad experiences you may have had with them!)
Sausage Grits Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Grits, not prepared
- 3 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Milk
- 1/4 Cup Kraft Colby Jack and Monterrey Cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of Pepper
- 1 teaspoon of Salt
- 6 Large Strips of Bacon
- 8 oz of Hot/Spicy Sausage, crumbled
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 415 degrees F.
- Cook bacon and sausage. Drain excess grease and set aside.
- Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Add one cup of grits and cook for about 6 minutes.
- Add cheese and mix until it's completely melted.
- Add milk, eggs, pepper, salt, cooked bacon, and cooked sausage.
- Spray mini-muffin pan with cooking spray.
- Scoop mixture into each muffin pan, filling each spot about 3/4 full.
- Cook for 30 minutes or until a fork is inserted and comes out relatively cleanly.
- Let cool slightly before eating.
- Best when served with a creamy, white sauce.
Joan B says
These sound really great!
Can they be prepared and frozen? This sounds like meals that can be prepared for individual meals.
Katie says
Absolutely!
karen says
I used the 5-minute grits and decreased cooking time to 3-4 min otherwise I didn’t change anything. Loved them as muffins but did casserole way for pot luck dinners.. Love love these for a quick breakfast.
Nancy says
I made these today with the items I had on hand. That being said I used yellow cornmeal (medium polenta) cooking it with the amount of water the package said was needed to cook 1 cup of cornmeal. Also because it was a bit courser than grits I cooked it about 10 minutes. I had heat and eat sausage and Hormel precooked bacon that I cut up and added that to the cheesy cornmeal. Then I beat the eggs with the milk, salt and pepper and added to the cornmeal mixture. I baked them in my jumbo muffin pan (made 9) at 375 for 35 minutes (lowered the temp due to the size thinking they would be dry on the outside and doughy in the middle) and they are great. Thanks for the inspiration.
Katie says
Thanks for sharing your variation!
Michelle says
This helps me a lot, thank you for this awesome detailed adventure of yours. What you used I can buy in Canada. My medium cornmeal is yellow is the only difference. Thank you doll 😀
Michelle says
Can cornmeal be used in place of the grits?
Katie says
Hmm, I’m not 100% sure if it would turn out the same way.
Eileen says
My daughter loves this. I don’t like messing with muffins, so we just make it as a casserole instead. Works great!
Katie says
I was just thinking that it would be delicious as a casserole. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth McFadden says
Yummmm! These just came out of my oven — with a little sauteed diced onion and bell pepper added. I’ve made other grits-muffin recipes but this one seems to be exactly the one I’ve been searching for … perfect balance of simple and tasty (and using turkey sausage and skim milk, not too caloric!). These will make a terrific on-the-go breakfast this coming week. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Casey says
What kind of white sauce do you serve them with?
Katie says
Typically just a white gravy recipe. We make this sausage cream sauce for shrimp and grits, so you could make something similar with that, sans the sausage 🙂
https://www.clarkscondensed.com/food/easy-shrimp-and-grits-with-creamy-sauce/
Caitlin says
Just made these to have as a grab and go breakfast in the morning and my boyfriend can’t keep his hands off them. They may not actually make it through the night! 🙂 Thanks for the GREAT recipe!
Katie says
Yay! Thank you for letting me know. I’m so thrilled that you love them so much! I need to make them again soon!
ella ruth says
I love grits. You can usually find grits near the pancake/waffle mix. I like mine with a little butter and soul seasoning. I am going to try this. Thanks for sharing.
Katie says
I hope you’ll enjoy them!
Tina Bennett says
I am definitely going to try this – so sorry for my family but I do not like cheese sooooo they don’t get a lot of good food because of me. I sure hope they like these without, if not I will do another batch for them with cheese. Thanks a million for the recipe.
Katie says
I hope you enjoy it! I’m actually not a big fan of cheese either, much to my husband’s sadness. haha. I did like it okay in these. We sure love them!
Brenda Buckingham says
The polenta I find in the grocery is already prepared in a roll. How much of this should be used in this recipe
Katie says
You know, I really am not sure! I have never used prepared polenta, so I’m not exactly sure how it would translate in this recipe. If you try it out, I would love to hear what you ended up doing. I’m sorry I couldn’t be more help!
kathleen thompson says
I’m pretty sure this doesn’t mean instant grits, but I noticed it said cook them for 6 minutes, so I’m wondering if you mean something like Quaker quick 5 minute grits, or the kind that takes 20 or 30 minutes, and they finish cooking in the oven. If you get time, please let me know. Thanks.
Also, the comment about adding some of the warm mixture to the eggs before adding them, that should be a good idea, I do that all the time, just a tsp. or two and whisk rapidly, just enough to warm up the eggs so they don’t solidfy when you put them in the hot mixture.
These sound great, thanks!
Katie says
We always use Bob’s Red Mill Grits 🙂
becky may says
Can these be frozen and heated up for a breakfast on the go?
Katie says
I haven’t tried that, but I don’t see why not! Great idea.
Tammy Northrup {Yours and Mine ARE Ours} says
What a great on the go breakfast idea! Love it!
Katie says
Thanks Tammy! It’s been one of our favorites!
Sarah says
I recommend you crack eggs into a separate bowl and slowly add the grits and cheese so that you warm the eggs carefully, not end up with scrambles eggs.
Katie says
Great tip! Thanks Sarah!
Doris says
Do they go by the name grits in the store or is this buckwheat . My parents used to make gritswurst sausage and it was so delicious – as kids we loved it. do you have more recipes for grits – would love if you post some. Thanks!!
Katie says
Yes, they go by the name of grits in the store, though some places may call them polenta. Definitely not buckwheat though 🙂 And we have another recipe for southwest grits (you can use the search bar to find that recipe 🙂 My husband said he’ll come up with some new recipes! Be sure to subscribe so you’ll be able to see when those come out 🙂
Doris says
thanks live in B.c. Can. and haven’t seen grits (not that I have really looked) but for sure polenta. I actually just bought a package about a week ago but then I was not sure what to do with it. I am definitely going to try the muffins – they sound great! Thanks. Doris
p.s. to speak your mind you have to put in a website – not sure what that is as I don’t have a website of my own???????
Katie says
Yeah Polenta should definitely work! Good luck 🙂 And it shouldn’t make you to put a website — just email and name
Barbara says
Do you crack the eggs into the grits mixture, or are they scrambled before you combine?
Katie says
You should crack the eggs into the grits mixture. Scrambling them before hand won’t work well 🙂
Molly Cour says
Looks tasty! When you say one cup grits…Do you mean “prepared” grits or actual grits?
Katie says
Oh good question! One cup of actual grits, not prepared 🙂
Brenna @ Life After Laundry says
YAY for the south, and YAY for grits! This recipe looks great.
Katie says
I thought you might like this, Brenna 🙂
Sarah says
These look like something my kids would love to eat in the mornings before school.
Should this be 1/4 or 1 1/4 c. cheese???
Katie says
1/4 cup 🙂 I hope you’ll like them!