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Instant Pot Grits Recipe

Robyn Stone

Updated Apr 11, 2023

These Instant Pot Grits are a creamy, rich and delicious classic Southern favorite made in minutes using the Instant Pot.

Grits with butter in a white bowl on a green background. - 1

There are few things as quintessentially southern as a bowl of grits. I’ve always loved them for breakfast alongside some scrambled eggs or even topped with an easy garlic shrimp for lunch or supper. They are a definite workhorse to keep in your pantry!

For years, I’ve made my easy grits recipe on the stovetop or in my slow cooker , but recently have loved making them in my Instant Pot. They turn out perfectly every single time!

Spoon with buttery bite of Instant Pot Grits served in a white bowl // addapinch.com - 2

What are Grits?

Grits are mature corn kernels that have been ground into coarse pieces. There are a few different types available on the market.

Types of Grits

Stone-Ground – Made by coarsely grinding whole dried corn kernels between the two stones of a grist mill. When ground using this method, a few larger pieces of the corn hull, called the chaff, remains and gives a signature appearance when cooked.
Hominy Grits – are a type made from hominy. Hominy is corn that has been processed where the hull and germ have been removed. For this type, the hominy is coarsely ground into grits.
Regular and Quick Grits – are processed to cook quickly and easily and to last for an extended period. Regular grits have a medium grind while Quick grits have a finer grind for smaller bits.
Instant Grits – have been even further processed by being finely ground, precooked and dehydrated.

Stainless steel measuring cup full of stone-ground grits held in front of an instant pot // addapinch.com - 3

How to Make Instant Pot Grits

To make this recipe, you’ll need:

Ingredients

stone ground grits – you can also use the hominy type
water
salt
cream or half and half
butter

Cream and butter being mixed into grits in Instant Pot with wooden handled spoon // addapinch.com - 4

Step by Step Instructions

Prepare your Instant Pot by spraying with olive oil or non-stick cooking spray.
Add water to the Instant Pot, followed by the grits and salt.
Stir well to combine.
Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to HIGH setting.
Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes, then allow them to naturally release pressure, which will be about 15 minutes.
Once they’ve cooked and the pressure has released naturally, carefully remove the lid.
Add the cream (or half and half) and butter to the cooked grits. Stir well to combine.
Serve with additional butter and shredded cheese if desired.

Note: If your grits are a bit too “soupy” for your taste after cooking them, you can use the Sauté option on the Instant Pot. Cook them with the top off just until the excess water releases.

Close up photo of creamy, buttery grits on a spoon over a bowl of grits. // addapinch.com - 5

Your grits will be creamy, buttery and delicious! And they are so versatile, they are perfect for breakfast or supper.

Optional Add-Ins

I think you’ll love these optional additions – they are some of our favorites!

Cheese – Cheese grits are absolutely delicious. Depending on how you are serving them, they are delicious with various cheeses. Add cheddar cheese for breakfast or brunch. Gouda and Parmesan are perfect additions when served with fish or seafood. When making one of these, stir in about 1/2 – 1 cup of cheese at the same time as adding butter.
Pimento Cheese – A classic Southern dish, Pimento Cheese Grits are absolutely out of this world! Simply add 1/2 cup of pimento cheese at the end of cooking at the same time you add the butter.
Bacon – Stir in chopped cooked bacon along with a bit of cheese, if you like, for a full meal in one!

Creamy, buttery grits in a white bowl on a green background //addapinch.com - 6

More Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

French Toast

Eggs Benedict with Easy Hollandaise Sauce

Buttermilk Pancakes

Blueberry Muffins

Scrambled Eggs

Buttermilk Biscuits

Here’s my Instant Pot Grits recipe. I hope you love them as much as we do!

Equipment

Instant Pot

Ingredients

▢ 1 1/2 cups stone ground grits
▢ 8 cups water
▢ 2 teaspoons kosher salt
▢ 2 cups cream or half and half
▢ 6 tablespoons butter , + more for serving

Instructions

Spray inside of Instant Pot with olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. Add water, grits and salt. Stir well to combine. Secure the lid to the Instant Pot and set to HIGH setting for 10 minutes with natural pressure release, about 15 minutes.
Once the grits have cooked and the pressure has released naturally, carefully remove the lid to the Instant Pot. Stir in the cream and add the butter. Serve with additional butter and cheese if desired.

Notes

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Enjoy! Robyn xo