Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits are delicious any time of the day. How about in less than 15 minutes, without standing over a hot stove?
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Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
I grew up in Miami and developed a love for grits at an early age. Most places serve plain grits with eggs for breakfast. Usually, a bagel with cream cheese came with the meal. We frequently ate breakfast at a Jewish deli, so bagels were always available.
I use to dunk my bagel in the yolk of my egg and then my Grits and developed a love of eggs over grits.
As the years went on, I started cooking my Grits with cheddar cheese. First, I would toast the Grits in a heavy sauce pan and then add the rest of the ingredients and stand at the stove for 45 minutes, stirring and stirring.
Enter Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. Just a few minutes and you are done! No more standing over the pot on the stove. I will show you how to make the Grits, right in the Pressure Cooker cooking pot using White Stone Ground Grits and using the “Pot In Pot” Method, using Yellow Stone Ground Grits.
My favorite grits these days are Palmetto Farms Stone Ground Grits and I use both the white and the yellow, depending on my mood. I like to make Shrimp & Grits, which I learned from living in Charleston, South Carolina for a few years.
Directions using the toasting method for cooking the Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits directly in the Pressure Cooker.
Allow Pressure Cooker to Fully Heat
Allowing a stainless steel cooking pot to heat before adding the oil/grease, makes the pot non stick. After your Pressure Cooker is Hot, add the Bacon Grease or oil.
Toast Grits in Bacon Grease
Add in the Stone Ground Grits and mix them around to toast for a few minutes. This adds another layer of flavor.
Add the rest of the ingredients
Dump in the rest of the ingredients and you are good to go. This recipe makes a lot and it is so nice to set the time and relax. No more standing over a hot stove and stirring and stirring and stirring.
Sauté to thicken, if desired
If you want thicker Grits, hit the Sauté or Browning button, adjust to low and simmer until you get the thickness that you prefer. Remember, the Grits will continue to absorb the liquid just by sitting in the pot.
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
Easy, right?
These Retainers Extreme Freezer Containers are quite convenient. I also use them when I give away food to my neighbors, since they are so cheap.
Reditainer Extreme Freezer Container
Pot In Pot Method
Add everything to your PIP Bowl
I’ve been doing a lot of Pot In Pot in my Pressure Cooker lately, so I figured it would be perfect to try out the grits that way. Add all ingredients to your 1.5 Quart Stainless Steel “Pot in Pot” Bowl.
This time, I grabbed a Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl and dumped all the ingredients into the bowl. If you are using a glass bowl, add five minutes to the cook time.
Add some water to the bottom of your Pressure Cooker, place a trivet and carefully set the Bowl on top.
That is it! Close the lid and go about your business.
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
Ta da!
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits and Fried Eggs
Toasted Grits in the Pressure Cooker cooking pot is my favorite way of cooking Grits. However, it sure is nice to quickly make a single serving of grits using the Pot in Pot method. I hope you enjoy!
Kitchen Equipment and Essentials
- Instant Pot DUO 6 Quart
- J.A. Henckels Classic 7-inch Hollow Edge Santoku Knife
- Amco Advanced Performance 18/10 Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons
- Simply Gourmet (Dry) Stainless Steel Measuring Cups
- Anchor Hocking Glass (Liquid) Measuring Cups
- Cilio Olivewood Spatula
- Porcelain & Bamboo Salt Box with Spoon
- OXO Good Grips Cutting Board
- Stainless Steel Trivet
- 1.5 Quart Stainless Steel “Pot in Pot” Bowl
- Microplane Artisan Course Grater
- Palmetto Farms Stone Ground Grits – The Best!!
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Here is your handy printable recipe:
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
Ingredients
In Pressure Cooker Cooking Pot
- 2 Tablespoons Bacon Grease Coconut or other oil
- 1 cup Stone Ground Grits (not Instant)
- 3 cups Fresh Water
- 1 1/2 cup Heavy Cream Half and Half or Milk
- 4 ounces Cheddar Cheese
- 2-3 Tablespoons Butter
- 2 teaspoons Sea Salt
- Butter to garnish
Pot in Pot
- 1/4 cup Stone Ground Grits (not Instant)
- 1/2 cup Water
- 1/2 cup Heavy Cream Half and Half or Milk
- 2 teaspoons Butter and/or Bacon Grease
- 1/2-1 ounce Cheddar Cheese or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
- 1 cup Water for Pressure Cooker cooking pot
- Butter to garnish
Instructions
In Pressure Cooker Cooking Pot
- Using the Sauté or Browning function, allow pot to heat and then add Bacon Grease, Butter or Oil.
- Add Grits and toast for three minutes, stirring constantly.
- Turn off Pressure Cooker. Add the rest of the ingredients.
- Cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes. Allow a 15 minute natural release and then open pressure valve to release remaining pressure.
Single Serving Pot in Pot
- Add all ingredients to an oven safe cooking bowl.
- Add one cup of water to Pressure Cooker cooking pot.
- Place low footed trivet in bottom of cooking pot. Place oven safe bowl with ingredients on top of trivet.
- Cook at High Pressure for 10 minutes. When Beep sounds, allow a 10 minute Natural Pressure Release.
Notes
PIN this Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits!
Pressure Cooker Southern Style Cheesy Grits
Perfect! I made these for my shrimp and grits! I’ve been cooking Southern food for roughly 40 years ( I’m from KY ), and am new to the Insta Pot. It sure does feel like cheating, but I’m not going to complain. ?. I ran across your website, and made these right away. Very yummy! I’ll be trying lots of your recipes. Thank you! Anne
Thanks, Anne, I am so glad you are here and enjoyed the grits! Jill
I make this recipe at least once a month. Have tried others but this is the absolute best! I use pepper jack cheese and add sweet hot jalapenos. Also use garlic pepper salt. The grits never burn or get soupy using this recipe! Thanks for improving one of my favorite dishes… No babysitting on the stove!!!!
Thanks, Dorothy! Jill
I love how this turns out, taste wise, but I have never been able to make this that I didn’t get the burn signal.
Followed instructions exactly as written. I did end up with creamy and delicious grits but being new to IP, I was thrown a curve when the “burn food” warning came on just as it got up to pressure. I turned it off, vented, then opened and stirred. There was a little stuck to the bottom but not “scorched”. I replaced the lid and continued starting over at 10 minutes but this time on low pressure since cooking of grits began the first time. Turned out great. Any tips on how to avoid the burn warning!
It is very important to deglaze the pot thoroughly. Jill
I make them pip they come out delicious when I make in pot I get “burn” . I have 6qt ultra and I’m wondering if the ultra cooks differently. Any input is appreciated I follow many of your recipes and they are delicious.
I just made these grits for dinner and we ate the whole pot!
I am so glad you enjoyed them so much. Jill
Disappointed in recipe. Used the instant pot method. Heated the pot first, then added bacon grease, followed the recipe exactly. They burned on the bottom, were soupy and undercooked. Big waste of ingredients.
Please retrace your steps and perhaps the other 80 comments of success with the recipe might help you to see where you might have missed a step. Jill
mine turned out DELICIOUS and i followed directions to the letter
I made these a couple of months ago and I’m pretty sure i added the cheese after cooking them and they came out wonderful. Today I made them again and put the cheese in with everything as the recipe calls for and got the burn error. I ended up having to finish them on the stove top in a pot. I think if you leave the cheese out and stir in after it cooks there shouldn’t be a problem. I’m almost positive I did it that way a few months ago. I’ll make them again next week with leaving the cheese out till the end and I’m pretty sure the burn won’t happen.
Being a Southern gal I have been eating & cooking grits my entire life. This is absolutely the best way to cook them. Some argue the IP takes just as long so why not cook on the stovetop. Well, that may be true but with the IP you don’t have to sit & babysit them, worry about them boiling over or scorching. I followed your recipe exactly except for the cheese. Hubby prefers plain grits. They were some of the best grits I have ever made.
Thank you, Delilah. I imagine those who questions stove v IP, have never actually cooked them on the stove. Jill
I have both the 8 and 3 qt IP. The 3 QT IP fits beautifully into the 8 QT for the PIP method using the included trivet. I increased the recipe by 50% (1.5 cups grits, everything else proportional) with good results. Thanks for posting the recipe Jill, cheers!
Sounds great, Patty! Jill
I’m a Yankee – a NY’er to be exact and I’ve never been a fan of grits. Until now. Now I know why southerners enjoy them so much. You’re probably wondering why I even attempted to make them when I don’t like them and it’s because I always like to try different variations of things I don’t like until I’ve exhausted every possible way before I can truly exclaim that I don’t like it! I made the PIP recipe and they were creamy and tasty. Usually, diners just dump a bland spoonful on your plate and that has been my basis for my dislike of grits. Thank your for your recipe and for making this Yankee taste what she’d been missing all these years.
Thank you. Jill
I am super picky about my grits, and these were amazing! I used pot in pot and increased ingredients by 1/2. Used 1/4 cup plus 2 TBSP grits, 1/2 cup half and half and 1 cup water. Left out cheese for hubby’s preference. Was just the right amount for the two of us. Loved them! He even commented that they were the best grits we have had in a long time, and he rarely comments. Will try with cheese next time…for me!
Excellent!! I loved how moist these grits turned out! All the yum with none of the mess!! This is my new go-to!
Thank you!
Thank you, Cyndi! Jill
OMG! Perfect! Thank you so much!
I need to make a full pot of this for a gathering…any thoughts on how many times to multiply the recipe and how much extra cook time to add?
I need to make this for a gathering! I want to fill the pot at least 2/3 full…any thoughts on how many times I should multiply the recipe? And how much longer to cook?
Thanks!!
I purchased the Palmetto grits using your link. They are terrific. Right mow i have yellow homininy grits. Yum. I have to use lactose free milk and mo heese but still wonderful topped with a poached egg.
I am going to look for your shrim and grits recipe. Looking for a nicely seasoned dish like ive had in. Charleston.
Hi Terry. I am so glad you are enjoying that brand of grits. I’ve been ordering from them for years. My favorite grits dish was from a café in Charleston. Jill
Love reading this recipe!! Have to try this when I get home to my pressure cooker!
I would recommend adding the cheese after everything is done.
I also recommend adding 2 or 3 crushed cloves of garlic, and using chicken stock in place of the water.
I made this recipe with the above additions and I must say, using the instapot pressure cooker resulted in a creamy grit that was exceptional.
Upon your advice i used your lonk to order tge yellow Palmetto grits. Tgey Re FABULOUS, the best ive ever had. I just make 1/4 cup grits to one cup water in the microwave. Topped the cooked grits with a poached. Grits took 3 mintes with anout 1 minute rest. When i make it fir the two of us i will use your recipe.
I made there tonight and served with crab cakes. These grits were wonderful! I followed directions as written, however I added. Little chicken broth to the water and used heavy whipping cream, then added a few spoonfuls of alouette garlic and herb cheese at the end. Just perfect!
Josie, that sounds delicious. Jill
I can’t wait to try this. I love grits and never thought about toasting them. I like them thick too, not the watery stuff that you find in restaurants.
These grits are amazing! I made them right in the IP insert instead of the PIP method. I didn’t add the cheese before it cooked, but chose to add it afterwards. Even my husband, who has never liked grits in the past, really liked these!! Thank-you for sharing this recipe!
I’ve made this several times now, and it always turns out great! I love the recipe “as is” but sometimes I haven’t had the cheese, and the grits are delicious. I sometimes use chicken broth instead of water, which gives a savory depth to it. Thank you for the recipe. I’ve tried a few others, but this is the by far the best one!
The best grits I have ever made! I used the pot-in-pot method and love the way they came out. Just got my Instant Pot last week so I’m testing things out. I will use this recipe for grits from now on.
These have to be the best grits I have ever tasted!!
Thank you Jill for the recipe ?
I’ve been using the pot in a pot method with great success. I’ve realized that, after doing a natural pressure release, I can stir up the grits, crack 2 eggs into the pot on top of the grits, and cook for another 5 mins on low pressure (with another natural pressure release), giving me perfectly poached eggs on top of my grits. Sometimes I add some precooked sausage or bacon during this step. Then I eat it all right out of the inner pot. It’s awesome. Also, I got a couple of these stainless steel inner pots from crock-pot and they work perfect for the pot-in-pot method.
Do you think I could double the recipe and do the same amount of time?
I forgot to say I’m doing the in pot method.
You talk about both yellow grits and white grits and two different ways of making them. Just to clarify, the white grits have to be made in the pressure cooking pot but the yellow ones have to be made using the pot in pot method? Or can they both be cooked both ways? Thanks!
Interchangeable, Taylor. Jill
Single serving pot in pot method worked like a charm. Used water and roast pork jus instead of water and milk, but the consistency was perfect. I’ll take real grits in 20 minutes over instant grits any day!
Followed the first recipe and the pot gave me the burn notice because it was scorched. Not sure why. Anyone else have this issue? This seems to happen a lot with my pot. Any ideas?
Justin, are you always letting your pot heat fully prior to adding any fat? Then deglazing? Jill
I have had problems cooking grits with milk. I now only use chicken stock in the pressure cooking phase and add the milk/cream/cheese after they have cooked with the instapot on saute.
I have made these three times, and they are a huge hit every time. Everyone loves them! My question is, every time I have made them, they have scorched on the bottom and the pot does not reach pressure. That said, I go ahead and let it run for the time stated in the recipe, then leave it on “Keep Warm,” and go one more time at the recipe time and then I leave it on “Keep Warm” until I need to serve them. They work fine, but I’d love to have them not scorch in the pot, so that I can make them properly, and not have to scrub at the end.
I’m following the instructions to the letter. What am I doing wrong that is causing the scorching? I would think there would be enough water in the pot to prevent it, but I’m not sure.
I made this recipe (directly in pot). Like another commenter, it scorched on the bottom and was a little lumpy. I easily beat the lumps out with a whisk and it was amazing. I topped it with pressure cooker pulled pork. The leftover grits reheated well for a second go-around. I’m planning to make another batch tonight. Do you think that I should try just a smidgen more water to prevent the scorching? And yes, I allowed the pot to get hot before toasting the grits and ensured the pot bottom was clean before locking the lid down.
Hi Amy. I am glad you enjoyed the grits. Jill
I didn’t see your comment before I posted mine. I, too, have had these scorch every time I’ve made them. They still work beautifully; I whisk out the lumps several times as they are sitting in the warm pot, and they work just fine. But I would like to avoid scraping the burned ones off the bottom. I don’t think more water would help; I think it’s the nature of the grits to sink to the bottom. Pot-in-pot may be the only way to avoid this, but I don’t have a bowl deep enough to make the full recipe PIP.
Hey Jill. Just got an Insta-pot. Being an infernal Yankee new Englander, I had never had the occasion to even see grits nevermind try them until I got some at an excellent BBQ joint near me. HOOKED!!!. Just made some for breakfast with smoked gouda slab bacon crumbled in with poached egg on top. I’m in heaven. Thanks. P/S my pet cockatoo loves it too!
Hi Jim. I am so glad you enjoyed the grits. You don’t see them much in your area. They sounds good with gouda! Jill
Hey Jill. Just got an Insta-pot. Being an infernal Yankee new Englander, I had never had the occasion to even see grits nevermind try them unroll I got some at an excellent BBQ joint near me. HOOKED!!!. Just made some for breakfast with smoked gouda slab bacon crumbled in with poached egg on top. I’m in heaven. Thanks. P/S my pet cockatoo loves it too!
Made this recipe tonight (directly in the pot) without the cheese. They did scorch lightly but not a big issue. So deliciously creamy. I served them topped with pulled pork. Comfort food at its finest!
Just made these for the first time and they were amazing! I used the pot in pot version and doubled the ingredients. I did not use cheese this time …. wanted to see how plain grits would turn out. They looked like they were not finished cooking when I opened the pot, but once I stirred them, perfect grits! I have been cooking grits for many, many years and I can truthfully say these were the easiest and BEST grits I have ever made. Thank you for such a wonderful recipe.
Hi Simone. Thanks so much. I am glad you enjoy the recipe. 🙂 Jill
Jill,
I would like to know if the pressure cooker should remain plugged in for the 10 minute natural pressure release.
Thank you.
Do you have an iP recipe for shrimp and Grits?
Thanks for the recipe. I was wondering if these can be frozen? My husband is the only one who likes grits so mostly he has to eat instant, but I would like to make these for him.
I have used this never failed recipe many times. I buy nom GMO stone ground yellow and white grits. The texture. These types of grits always have a nice taste without being like paste. Thank you so much for this superb recipe.
Hi Dianne~
Thank you for your nice note. I am glad you enjoy the grits. Jill
Natural release defeats the point of using a pressure cooker. How could the total time be 15 minutes if you have to wait 15 minutes before you open the pot? The total time of your method is 30 minutes, which is too long for breakfast.
12 minutes and quick release.
Palmetto Farms stone ground grits are my favorite! I’m in Michigan, but have family in Charleston that keep me well stocked. Cannot wait to try your recipe!!
I followed your pot in pot method as I wanted a smaller portion and it was great! Way better than on the stove. Loved it! Thank you.
Hi Judy~
Wonderful! It is great not to have to stir and stir.
Jill
I’ve made these twice, and both times the pot is scorched on the bottom when finished (not after sauteing the raw grits). I am letting it say “hot” before adding the fat. Also, despite stirring a lot before putting the lid on, they are a bit lumpy. Any tips? This recipe is so much better than any other IP grits I can find…just getting tired of cleaning scorched pots.
Hi Julia~
What type of fat are you using to toast the grits?
Jill
I’m using organic canola oil…
I also tried bacon grease last time. It’s not scorched at that point, though…it’s happening after the lid goes on. Would it work to put the cheese in after cooking, maybe?
Love these ideas! And the results look delicious. Thank you for trying and sharing our product.
With love,
Palmetto Farms
Hi Ashley~
Thanks so much for your message. I love your products. I would love to speak with you regarding working together on a recipe and/or promotion.
Jill
I followed the recipe exactly and the grits stuck to the bottom of the pot and it never came to pressure – I realized what was happening before it scorched and moved it to the stovetop to finish – what did I do wrong?
Brandy, did you allow your pressure cooker to fully heat before adding the fat?
Jill
Thank you so much for your time regarding the recipes. I love that you gave the history of your love of grits it was quite refreshing and nostalgic…
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Just made this recipe and it turned out great! I cut the salt back to one tsp and then used one tsp of chicken bullion. So delicious!
Hi Amanda. So glad you enjoyed the grits. Jill
I like the flavor of grits, but have only had instant grits. I don’t care for the texture. I am going to try these, with some homemade stock!!! Thanks Jill!
I used instant grits and followed Jill’s recipe for PIP… it worked and was really creamy!
I am in Canada and only have 5 minute grits……did you change anything in your recipe for the instant grits or did the same as it is written? Shorter time?
Hi Cathy. I’ve never made instant grits in the pressure cooker and it is probably not necessary. Jill
In the Carolinas, 5-minute grits are not the same thing as instant grits. Here, mostly all we have in the grocery store is quick grits (which cook in 5 minutes) or instant grits (the kind in individual packets that you just stir into boiling water and let sit a minute or two. We have to visit our local grain mill to purchase stone-ground grits. This may explain why some people are having trouble with the recipe, it sounds like there’s some confusion about what stone-ground grits are.
You may be right. When I lived there, the long cooking grits were in all the stores I shopped. JIll
As a lifelong Southerner, bless your heart for sharing this recipe. 🙂 Any plans to share your shrimp and grits recipe?
Hi Kim~
I plan on making the shrimp and grits very soon. I lived in Charleston for a few years and based my recipe off of Joseph’s grits. It is shame that wonderful restaurant closed.
Jill
Love shrimp and grits. Please share your adaption to ip ❤️
Hi Jill,
I’m living in Mount Pleasant!! Saw you had lived in Charleston before. I’m in the process of finishing the IP recipe for your cheese n Grits. Found some natural Grits at a farmers market here. It’s a blend of white and yellow Grits. Looking forward to the Grits this morning
Hi Steve. Where in Mt. P? I lived in Sweetgrass. Jill
What if you wanted to increase the recipe to, let’s say 1 cup of grits. Would you increase all the other ingredients by the same proportion? And, what about the cooking time? Thanks JP
Hi John~
Everything can be doubled without a problem and cook time is the same. If the grits feel to thin to you, just simmer at the end, until they become just right.
Thank you for visiting.
Jill
My first pressure cooker fail was an attempt at grits and I was terrified to try again. I had read that milk burned and so I thought this was going to be a mess, but I decided to go for it. I am glad I did! I made it as written, minus the cheese, and it was the perfect texture! Thanks so much. Now I don’t have to worry about overflowing on the stove top!
I love the flavor you get when toast grits (or any other grains- I always toast my rice before it’s COOKED). Turn pressure cooker on. Then put dry grits (grains) in-toast them-add liquid & lid.
Hi Tina~
I too love that flavor and am glad you are enjoying my recipe in the Pressure Cooker.
Jill
You could toast the grits on the stove and add them to the rest of the ingredients in the PIP method. I suggest trying chicken stock instead of water for a big flavor boost as well.
Hi Tim~
That is true, but then you might as well cook the grits on the stove top. 🙂
Jill