Classic cheesy grits bowl
Classic cheesy grits bowl is a creamy, comforting dish made from ground cornmeal (grits) cooked until tender and then blended with melted cheese, butter, and often milk or cream. It's a staple of Southern American cuisine, particularly associated with states like South Carolina, Georgia, and Louisiana, where it's enjoyed as a hearty breakfast, side dish, or even a base for shrimp or other toppings.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates from the corn grits and also contains a significant amount of fat from the cheese and butter, making it calorie-dense. It provides key nutrients like calcium and phosphorus from the dairy, along with some B vitamins and iron from the corn, with a typical serving ranging from 300 to 450 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 35 g |
| Fat | 22 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 650 mg |
| Calcium | 250 mg |
| Phosphorus | 180 mg |
| Vitamin A | 150 mcg RAE |
| Iron | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.2 mg |
| Folate | 40 mcg DFE |
| Magnesium | 25 mg |
| Zinc | 1.2 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, cheesy grits are a cornerstone of Southern 'comfort food' tradition, often passed down through family recipes. Nutritionally, the corn base offers resistant starch, which can support gut health, but the dish's richness makes it more of an occasional indulgence than an everyday meal.
