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Smoked Gouda Grits is the perfect way to elevate grits for a dinner party. You only need 25 minutes and a few ingredients to WOW your guests.
Here are a few ideas for serving these grits: BBQ Lamb Chops, New Orleans Barbecue Shrimp and Grits, Cajun Fried Fish & Grits, Creole Oxtails, and Grillades and Grits.
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I first came up with this grits recipe for a private dinner for a client. He wanted to do something different that couldn't be found in a restaurant in New Orleans, but if it could, put my twist on it.
The link above to the BBQ lamb chops was the main entree served with them, and I called the dish "Mary had a little lamb." The shock on their face from the presentation said it all, but the clean plate from him and his wife said it all.
My smoked gouda grits are made with stone ground grits (I stay away from quick-cooking grits), smoked gouda cheese, unsalted butter, heavy cream, water, salt, black pepper, onion, and frozen corn.
Now that I have piqued your curiosity let's start making some of the best cheese grits you'll ever have.
What are Grits?
Native Americans introduced grits (dried ground corn) to the world. They have woven themselves into the fabric of African American culinary tradition because they are filling, affordable, and incredibly adaptable.
You can serve them alone, with eggs, shrimp, fried fish, or meat.
Grits embody our capacity to create something truly remarkable from humble beginnings. Their versatility and simplicity remind us that the most basic ingredients can sometimes be transformed into the most soul-satisfying meals.
Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits Ingredients
Here's what you'll need to make some absolutely delicious grits.
Grits
I love using stone-ground grits because they provide a better final dish, but they can be hard to find sometimes, so I use old-fashioned grits. The coarse cut produces creamy grits. Quick-cooking grits with a fine texture are okay if that's all you can find.
Heavy Cream
Whipping cream will make your smoked gouda cheese grits super creamy and yummy.
Smoked Gouda Cheese
Gouda originated in the Netherlands and is a creamy yellow cheese made from cow's milk. Smoking brings out an incredibly delicious, nutty-savory flavor.
Onion
I know, but these are meant for dinner, and yellow onion's sweet and savory flavor melts into these grits, providing an extra depth of flavor.
Frozen Corn
Usually, I'm against corn in grits, but they added a nice pop of texture to ensure the final dish had a balance of textures.
Unsalted Butter
Butter will make your grits nice and buttery. Traditionally, grits were made with just water, and butter was added right before serving so it melted and was stirred in.
How To Make Smoked Gouda Grits
My smoked gouda cheese grits recipe is straightforward. It should take only a few minutes to cook, and you'll have something that will be the star of your dinner party!
Add two tablespoons of butter, onions, and corn in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, and cook for 4 minutes.
Add heavy cream, water, salt, and black pepper, and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, gradually whisk in grits. This is key to having creamy and smooth grits.
Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once finished, add cheese and cover for 2 minutes or until melted. Whisk until cheese is fully incorporated.
Taste and adjust seasoning, and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped green onions or chives.
How To Store Grits
After the grits cool, place them in an airtight container in the fridge for four days. To reheat, boil ¼ cups of milk or broth, stir in the grits, and cook until hot.
Pro Recipe Substitutions, Tips & Tricks
Making smoked gouda grits requires little skills, but once you perfect the method, you'll become a grit guru.
- Use a whisk to prevent having lumps in your grits; it also helps make them light and creamy.
- Smoked gouda cheese is available in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Feel free to use regular gouda cheese if you cannot find it.
- Use salted butter if you have it on hand.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth as a substitute for water to add more flavor to your grits.
- To make perfect creamy grits, gradually pour them into the boiling liquid as you whisk.
- Stone ground grits may take up to 30 minutes to cook since they are coarse cuts. Old-fashioned grits take about 20 minutes, and quick instant grits take only 5-10 minutes.
- Yellow and white grits deliver identical outcomes in texture and taste; the difference lies in the visual presentation, with yellow grits offering a more striking presentation.
- Feel free to use whole milk or half and half instead of heavy cream.
- Grits will stay hot for a few hours but thicken and harden as they cool. If you plan on making them in advance for a dinner party, bring some water or chicken stock to a boil and whisk it in the grits to loosen and heat until hot.
More Grits Recipes
Check these out if you're a grit lover!
Before You Begin
Here are my steps for getting organized and moving fast in the kitchen.
Step 1: Read the recipe once before pulling all the ingredients out.
Step 2: Measure everything out.
Step 3: Start following the recipe below and prepare your taste buds for the best-smoked gouda grits recipe!
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📖 Recipe
Smoked Gouda Cheese Grits
Ingredients
- 1 medium yellow onion chopped small
- 1 cup frozen corn
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 cups water
- 1 ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup old fashioned grits
- 4 oz. shredded smoked gouda
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, add two tablespoons of butter, onions, and corn. Cook for 4 minutes. Add heavy cream, water, salt, and black pepper, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, gradually whisk in grits.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once finished, add cheese and cover for 2 minutes or until melted. Whisk until cheese is fully incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning, and serve immediately, garnishing with chopped green onions or chives.
Notes
- Use a whisk to prevent having lumps in your grits; it also helps make them light and creamy.
- Smoked gouda cheese is available in the specialty cheese section of your grocery store. Feel free to use regular gouda cheese if you cannot find it.
- Use salted butter if you have it on hand.
- Use low-sodium chicken broth as a substitute for water to add more flavor to your grits.
- To make perfect creamy grits, gradually pour them into the boiling liquid as you whisk.
- Stone ground grits may take up to 30 minutes to cook since they are coarse cuts. Old-fashioned grits take about 20 minutes, and quick instant grits take only 5-10 minutes.
- Yellow and white grits deliver identical outcomes in texture and taste; the difference lies in the visual presentation, with yellow grits offering a more striking presentation.
- Feel free to use whole milk or half and half instead of heavy cream.
- Grits will stay hot for a few hours but thicken and harden as they cool. If you plan on making them in advance for a dinner party, bring some water or chicken stock to a boil and whisk it in the grits to loosen and heat until hot.
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