Cheesy Grits with Fried Egg Recipe
A comforting Southern classic, Cheesy Grits with Fried Egg offers creamy, cheesy grits topped with perfectly fried eggs featuring runny yolks and crispy edges. This dish combines smooth, rich grits cooked with butter and cheese alongside savory fried eggs seasoned with black pepper, making it an ideal hearty breakfast, brunch, or light dinner option.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-30 minutes for stone-ground grits (or 5-7 minutes for quick-cooking grits) plus 5-7 minutes for frying eggs
- Total Time: 30-37 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Ingredients
Scale
Grits
- 1 cup stone-ground or quick-cooking grits
- 4 cups water or milk (or a combination)
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or blend)
Eggs
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter (for frying)
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional Garnishes
- Chopped chives
- Green onions
- Hot sauce
- Bacon bits
- Fresh herbs
Instructions
- Prepare the Grits: In a medium saucepan, bring the water or milk and salt to a boil over medium-high heat to ensure proper cooking and texture.
- Whisk in Grits: Gradually whisk in the grits in a steady stream to prevent lumps and achieve smoothness.
- Reduce Heat and Simmer: Lower the heat to low, cover, and simmer grits for 20-30 minutes for stone-ground or 5-7 minutes for quick grits, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Stir in Butter and Cheese: Remove grits from heat once creamy. Stir in butter until melted, then add shredded cheese, stirring until fully melted and smooth.
- Fry the Eggs: Heat olive oil or butter in a non-stick skillet over medium heat to prepare for frying eggs without sticking.
- Fry Eggs to Desired Doneness: Crack eggs into the skillet and cook 2-4 minutes for runny yolks, or longer for firmer yolks. Optionally baste with hot oil for even cooking or flip for over-easy/medium/hard eggs.
- Season Eggs: Sprinkle eggs with salt and freshly ground black pepper while frying to enhance flavor.
- Assemble and Serve: Spoon cheesy grits into bowls, top each with a fried egg, garnish with optional toppings like chives or hot sauce, and serve immediately for best texture and taste.
Notes
- Stone-ground grits offer more texture but require longer cooking; quick-cooking grits save time with a smoother finish.
- Using milk or a combination with water results in richer, creamier grits.
- Non-stick skillet is recommended for easy egg frying and cleanup.
- Customize garnishes to your preference for added flavor and presentation.
- Stir grits occasionally during cooking to avoid burning or sticking to the pan.
- Serve immediately to enjoy creamy grits and runny egg yolks at their best.
Keywords: cheesy grits, fried egg, southern breakfast, comfort food, creamy grits, easy brunch recipe
Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/cheesy-grits-with-fried-egg-recipe/
