Last Updated on February 8, 2024 by Carne Diem
Origin: American South
Method: Stovetop
Jump to RecipeThese flavorful Southern grits are loaded with cheddar and pepper jack cheese and have a little kick with the addition of sauteed jalapeno peppers. This easy Southern grit recipe can be ready in under 20 minutes.
This southern comfort food pairs perfectly with spicy shrimp. These cheesy grits have just the right amount of heat with the addition of a little jalapeno pepper.
Table of contents
Making Homemade Cheesy Jalapeno Grits
Ingredients for the easy Southern grits
Grits- Quick 5-minute grits work well for this recipe, but we recommend avoiding instant grits.
Cheese- We use a mixture for cheddar and pepper jack cheese for these cheesy grits for the perfect balance of flavor and spice.
Jalapenos- We find that 2 diced jalapenos provide a good balance of heat. Serrano peppers could also be used.
For more of our favorite jalapeno and green chile recipes, give some of these spicy recipes a try:
- Jalapeno Coleslaw With Bacon Aioli
- Smoked Jalapeno-Cilantro Hummus
- Smoked Jalapeno Twice Baked Potatoes
- Green Chile Cornbread
- Smoked Hatch Chile Mac and Cheese
- Smothered Breakfast Burritos with Green Chile Sauce
Milk- 2% or whole milk work best in the jalapeno grits for the creamiest results, but you can use whatever you have on hand.
Cooking the Southern Grits
The entire recipe comes together in under 20 minutes leaving you plenty of time to concentrate on the main course. Just shred the cheese, then melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium pot and sauté the diced jalapenos for about 3 minutes.
Next mix in the salt, milk, and water and bring to a hard boil.
Slowly whisk in the grits, making sure they do not stick to the bottom, then reduce the heat to simmer, cover and cook for 7 minutes.
Remove the lid and stir the grits well, making sure it is well combined then stir in the cheese and mix for about 1 minute to combine.
Cover to keep warm until needed.
What to serve the jalapeno grits with
We really love these cheesy grits as part of a shrimp and grits dish. Check it out as a partner to our New Orleans Style Barbecued BBQ Shrimp. The pepper jack and cheddar grits also work as a perfect side for other Southern and Cajun recipes:
- Twice Smoked Spiral Ham with Cajun Fruit Glaze
- Cajun Crawfish Po' Boy With Spicy Remoulade
- Blackened Chicken a la Mer
- Chicken and Smoked Sausage Jambalaya
- Grilled Muffaletta: New Orleans Deli Sandwich
Frequently Asked Questions
Grits are made from ground corn or hominy and are a popular dish in the Southern states.
Yes, cheesy grits are the perfect side dish for Southern style food or for making shrimp and grits. Cheese grits are also great served for breakfast.
Leftover cheese grits are best reheated over medium-low heat on the stovetop. You may need to add a little additional milk, water, or broth to the grits if they seem to dry.
We hope this side dish helped complete your fantastic meal. If you enjoyed it please leave a review blow and share with your friends. Thanks again for visiting Carne Diem. If you tried and enjoyed our recipe, please share with others. Also don’t forget to tag us @Carne_Diem_Culinary or #CarneDiemBlog, we love to see your pics! To be notified of future recipes please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest, or sign up for our e-mail notifications.
📖 Recipe
Southern Style Cheesy Jalapeno Grits
Equipment
- Medium Pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup Quick Cook Grits
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 cups Water
- 2 Jalapenos diced
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- ½ cup Pepperjack Cheese shredded
- 2 Tablespoons Butter
- 1 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Melt butter in a medium pot and saute jalapenos for about 3 minutes.
- Mix in the salt, milk, and water and bring to a hard boil.
- Whisk in the grits slowly, making sure they do not stick to the bottom.
- Reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 7 minutes.
- Remove the lid and stir the grits well, making sure it is well combined then stir in the cheese and stir for about 1 minute to combine.
- Cover to keep warm until needed.
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