Reheat Leftover Grits to Perfection

Grits are a porridge made from boiled ground corn. They make a hearty and comforting breakfast dish. Like oatmeal, grits tend to thicken as they cool. Leftover grits may become dense or congealed once refrigerated. However, grits can easily be reheated to return them to their creamy, warm consistency. This article provides instructions on the best methods for reheating grits using a microwave, oven, toaster oven, and stove top.

Microwave Method

The microwave provides a quick and easy way to reheat grits.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked grits
• Water or milk

Instructions:

1. Transfer the grits to a microwave-safe bowl. Add 2-3 tablespoons of water or milk for each cup of grits. The extra fluid will help loosen up the grits as they reheat.
2. Microwave the grits on HIGH power for 60-90 seconds. Stir halfway through.
3. Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals, stirring frequently, until hot. Be careful not to overheat or the grits may become dried out.
4. Once hot, stir in additional liquid like butter or cheese if desired. Enjoy immediately.

The microwave heats grits quickly, but can sometimes yield uneven results. Be sure to stir frequently during the process. Adding extra fluid helps generate steam to rehydrate any dried out portions.

Oven Method

The oven allows grits to reheat gently and evenly throughout.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked grits
• Water, milk, or chicken broth

Instructions:

1. Transfer the grits to a casserole dish and add 1-2 tablespoons of water, milk, or broth per cup of grits.
2. Cover the dish tightly with foil and bake at 300°F for 20-25 minutes until heated through, stirring halfway.
3. Remove foil, stir grits, and continue baking 5 minutes more to eliminate any excess moisture.
4. Stir in any additional butter, cheese, or toppings as desired. Enjoy hot.

The oven’s indirect heat redistributes moisture evenly throughout the grits, eliminating any dried out spots. Just be sure to add extra liquid to compensate for evaporation.

Toaster Oven Method

A toaster oven is ideal for reheating single-portion grits.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked grits
• Water or milk

Instructions:

1. Place the grits in a small oven-safe dish and add 1-2 tbsp water or milk.
2. Toast on high heat for 2-3 minutes until hot, checking frequently. Keep an eye on them so they do not burn.
3. Stir grits, add any extra butter or cheese as desired, and enjoy immediately.

The toaster oven will quickly reheat a single serving of grits. Be vigilant and stir often to prevent burning.

Stovetop Method

The stovetop allows you to reheat grits while incorporating extra ingredients.

Ingredients:

• Leftover cooked grits
• Milk, broth, or water
• Extra ingredients like cheese, sausage, veggies

Instructions:

1. In a saucepan, combine the leftover grits with a splash of milk, broth, or water.
2. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until heated through, about 5-10 minutes.
3. Stir in any extra cheese, crumbled sausage, sautéed mushrooms or veggies.
4. Add more liquid like cream or milk if grits become too thick.
5. Remove from heat once hot and creamy. Enjoy immediately.

The stovetop gives flexibility to rehydrate grits to the perfect consistency. This method also allows you to easily mix in other ingredients.

Tips

• Add a splash of milk or broth rather than water for extra richness when reheating grits.
• Stir grits frequently when reheating to prevent scorching on the bottom.
• If reheated grits seem too thick, stir in additional hot liquid until reaching the desired consistency.
• Beyond butter and cheese, consider mixing in crumbled bacon, sausage, mushrooms, or roasted veggies.
• For convenience, individual portions of leftover grits can be frozen for later reheating.
• Use broth or milk instead of water when reheating grits to add extra flavor and creaminess. Chicken or vegetable broth works well.
• Stir grits frequently when reheating to distribute heat evenly and prevent scorching on the bottom.
• If grits seem too thick after reheating, stir in extra hot liquid like milk or broth until it reaches the desired consistency.
• Consider topping reheated grits with extras for more flavor. Cheese, crumbled bacon, sausage, sautéed veggies, fried eggs, and hot sauce are all tasty options.
• Portion grits into individual servings before refrigerating so you can quickly reheat single portions as needed.
• Reheated grits will hold for about 10-15 minutes before cooling off. Eat them immediately for the best texture and temperature.
• Add about 1-2 tablespoons of extra liquid per cup of grits before reheating to help loosen up the texture.
• Freeze individual portions of leftovers in freezer-safe containers for reheating later. Thaw before reheating.

Recipes

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover cooked grits
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 8 oz cooked shrimp, tails removed
• 2 tbsp butter
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Place grits in a saucepan with milk. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until warmed through and loosened, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in cheese until melted and fully incorporated.
3. Add shrimp and butter, stirring until butter is melted and shrimp are heated through.
4. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy immediately.

Chorizo Breakfast Grits

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover grits
• 1⁄4 cup milk
• 4 oz Spanish chorizo, diced
• 2 eggs
• Salsa or hot sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, cook chorizo until browned and crispy, about 5-6 minutes. Drain excess fat.
2. Meanwhile, combine grits and milk in a saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring often, until hot.
3. Stir in chorizo and cook until heated through.
4. Make two wells in the grits and crack an egg into each. Cover and cook until egg whites are set but yolks are runny.
5. Season with salt and pepper. Serve grits topped with a fried egg and salsa or hot sauce.

Shrimp and Grits Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover grits
• 1⁄4 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup cooked shrimp, diced
• 1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar
• 1⁄4 cup minced onion
• 2 red or yellow bell peppers, halved and seeded

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm grits with broth until heated through, about 5 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in shrimp, cheese, and onion.
4. Fill pepper halves with grits mixture. Place on a baking sheet.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes until peppers are tender and filling is hot.
6. Serve immediately.

FAQs

What is the best way to reheat grits?
The microwave provides the fastest method for reheating grits, but can sometimes lead to uneven heating. The oven and stovetop allow grits to reheat gently and evenly. For single servings, a toaster oven also works well.

Should I add any extra liquid when reheating grits?
Yes, adding a splash of milk, broth, or water before reheating helps loosen up the grits and redistribute moisture content. Use about 1-2 tablespoons of liquid per cup of cooked grits.

What temperature should I reheat grits at?
Lower, gentler heats work best. For the oven, 300°F is ideal. On the stovetop, medium-low heat prevents scorching. In the microwave, heat grits for 1-2 minutes at a time on high, stirring between each interval.

How can I prevent grits from drying out when reheating?
Stirring frequently helps distribute moisture evenly when reheating. Adding extra splash of broth, milk, or cream after reheating adds moisture. Cheese and butter also help keep grits creamy.

How long does it take to reheat grits?

• Microwave: 60-90 seconds
• Oven: 20-25 minutes
• Stovetop: 5-10 minutes
• Toaster Oven: 2-3 minutes

Exact times will vary based on amount of grits and appliances used. Always allow extra time for larger batches of grits.

Can I reheat cheese grits?
Yes, cheese grits can be reheated but may require additional liquid since the cheese can cause them to thicken and clump up. Stir in a splash of milk or cream when reheating to thin them out.

Can I reheat grits in a slow cooker?
Yes, cooked grits can be reheated in a slow cooker on low for 2-3 hours. Add extra broth or milk, cover, and stir occasionally. The grits will reheat evenly without scorching on the bottom.

How do I reheat grits for a crowd?
Make a casserole! Combine grits with extra broth or cream in a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake at 350°F covered for 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.

Can I freeze and reheat grits later?
Absolutely! Portion grits into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Here are 5 specific model recommendations on reheating grits:

Microwave:

1. Toshiba EM131A5C-BS Microwave Oven with Smart Sensor (1.2 cu. ft)
2. Panasonic Microwave Oven NN-SN686S (1.2 cu. ft)
3. GE JES1072SHSS Microwave Oven (1.0 cu. ft)
4. Breville Quick Touch BMO734XL Microwave Oven (1.1 cu. ft)
5. LG NeoChef LMC0975ST Countertop Microwave Oven (0.9 cu. ft)

Oven:

1. LG LDE4415ST Electric Double Oven Range
2. GE JB655SKSS 30″ Free-Standing Electric Double Oven Convection Range
3. Samsung Flex Duo Slide-In Electric Range with Dual Door
4. Bosch 800 Series HGI8056UC Slide-In Gas Range
5. Cafe CV978SMPSS 30″ Slide-In Gas Range

Toaster Oven:

1. Breville BOV845BSS Smart Oven Pro
2. Cuisinart Chef’s Convection Toaster Oven TOB-260N
3. Panasonic FlashXpress NB-G110P Toaster Oven
4. KitchenAid 12″ Countertop Convection Bake Digital Oven
5. Hamilton Beach 31230 Toaster Oven

Stovetop:

1. GE Adora JGBS30SEKSS Electric Smoothtop Range
2. Bosch 800 Series HGI8056UC Slide-In Gas Range
3. Samsung NE58K9560WS Slide-In Gas Range
4. LG LSGL6335BD Slide-In Gas Range
5. Frigidaire FFGF3052TS Gas Range with Griddle

With a few simple tricks, leftover grits can be revived to be just as hot, creamy, and delicious as when they were first cooked. Whether using the microwave, oven, toaster oven, or stovetop, the keys are adding extra liquid and stirring frequently. In no time at all, you can enjoy a hearty bowl of reheated grits.