Southern Grits Dressing
Southern Grits Dressing combines creamy grits, smoky bacon, cheddar cheese, and fresh chives, baked to golden perfection for a comforting side dish.
6 Servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked grits
- 4 cups water plus additional as needed
- 8 strips bacon cooked and crumbled
- 6 large eggs beaten
- ½ cup evaporated milk
- 2 cups sharp Cheddar cheese grated and divided
- 2 tablespoons fresh chives finely snipped
- 1 pinch paprika
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Butter or nonstick spray for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
Prepare the baking dish and oven
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 2-quart baking dish generously with butter or nonstick spray to ensure easy serving.
Cook the grits
- In a large saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the grits, stirring constantly to prevent clumping. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, until thickened and creamy. This process will take approximately 1 hour. If the mixture becomes too thick, add water in ¼-cup increments until a soft yet thick consistency is achieved, yielding about 5 cups cooked grits.
Incorporate the binding ingredients
- Allow the grits to cool slightly to avoid curdling the eggs. Whisk in the beaten eggs and evaporated milk until fully combined and smooth.
Add the flavorings
- Stir in the crumbled bacon, chives, paprika, salt, and pepper. Reserve ½ cup of the grated Cheddar cheese, then fold the remaining cheese into the mixture until evenly distributed.
Assemble and bake
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly. Sprinkle the reserved cheese over the top. Place the dish on a baking sheet to catch any overflow, and bake for 1 hour, or until golden brown on top and set in the center.
Rest and serve
- Remove from the oven and allow the dressing to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This ensures easier slicing and proper texture.
Notes
To make this Southern Grits Dressing gluten-free, ensure that the grits are certified gluten-free, as some brands may process them in facilities with wheat. Additionally, verify that the bacon and cheese are labeled gluten-free. With these adjustments, the recipe is naturally gluten-free.