Grits-style savory dish with cheese
Cheesy grits are a creamy, savory porridge made from ground cornmeal (grits), a staple of the American South. The dish is typically prepared by slowly simmering the grits in liquid until tender, then stirring in generous amounts of cheese like cheddar, along with butter, salt, and pepper. It's a beloved comfort food, often served as a hearty side dish for breakfast or dinner.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in carbohydrates from the corn grits and fat from the cheese and butter, providing a good source of energy. It offers key nutrients like calcium and phosphorus from the dairy, and a typical serving can range from 300 to 400 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbs | 38 g |
| Fat | 16 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 2 g |
| Sodium | 680 mg |
| Calcium | 300 mg |
| Phosphorus | 250 mg |
| Iron | 2 mg |
| Potassium | 180 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 mcg |
| Thiamin (B1) | 0.3 mg |
| Folate | 30 mcg |
| Selenium | 6 mcg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Grits are a direct descendant of Native American hominy corn preparations, making this dish a historic fusion of Indigenous ingredients and European dairy traditions. Nutritionally, the combination of corn and dairy creates a more complete protein profile than corn alone.
