Just like we overestimate how much meat per person, we often overestimate how much grits we can eat.
If you have cooked more grits than you can consume, you are not alone.
Figuring out what to do with leftover grits can be quite challenging. So why not reheat the grits.
Yes, you can save your grits and heat them at a later date. As long as you reheat them properly, they will be as delicious as when they were first cooked.
However, before we discuss how to reheat grits, let’s discuss what grits are.
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What Are Grits?
In short, grits are a kind of cereal produced from ground corn.
Although corn is sweet, grits are manufactured from dent corn or corn that is not as sweet and starchy as regular corn on the cob.
Grits are combined with salt and water and cooked until they are soft and tender. Grits are considered a breakfast food as well as a side dish.
They can be served with cheese, ham, mushrooms, shrimp, bacon, and vegetables.
However, the most popular version of grits includes a rich sausage gravy that is spooned over the grits.
How To Store Leftover Grits
You can store your grits in the fridge or freezer. To store grits in the fridge, place them into an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 6 days. If you store grits in the fridge for over a week, it will spoil and become a breeding ground for bacteria.
If you intend to keep grits for more than a week, it’s best to freeze them. Simply place the grits into a freezer-safe bowl, add the lid, and wrap the entire container in plastic wrap to keep air from entering or escaping the container.
In addition to this, use store your grits in small containers that hold 1-2 servings of food.
Storing the grits in smaller portions will make it easier in the long run as you will only reheat what you need.
It is best not to refreeze grits that have been heated as it can alter the flavor of the grits.
Grits stored in the freezer will last up to a month.
Tips for Reheating Grits
Although it seems as easy as heating them in the microwave, there are some tips that will ensure you reheat grits the right way.
Add the milk or water in small portions when reheating grits.
If you add the liquid at one time, the consistency of the grits could become thin and runny.
You can always add additional liquid if you notice the grits are too thick and lumpy.
Furthermore, add additional ingredients, such as butter, cheese, and butter, to the grits once they have been reheated.
The additional ingredients will offset the taste of the reheated grits as well as add more flavor to the grits.
Whether you use the microwave or oven to reheat the grits, stir it every 30 seconds. The key to reheating grits is constantly stirring them.
However, since you cannot do this if you reheat it in the microwave or oven, stirring it every 3 seconds will prevent them from drying out.
Moreover, you will be able to control the consistency of the grits and prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the dish.
Stirring the grits will also distribute the heat evenly and prevent the grits from having hot and cold spots.
How to Reheat Grits
Like reheating crab legs, reheating grits is a relatively easy process. Best of all, there are 3 different ways you can reheat grits.
How to Reheat Grits on the Stove
In most cases, the oven is the superior option for reheating food. However, the stove is the best option for reheating grits.
Reheating grits on the stove takes less time to heat, gives you more control, and adds more liquid to the grits.
To reheat your grits on the stove, place the leftover grits into a non-stick saucepan.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of water, milk, chicken, or vegetable broth to the grits and set it over medium-low heat.
Cook the grits for 5-8 minutes, stirring constantly.
Constantly stirring the grits will help break up larger pieces of the grits and make sure the grits have a uniform texture.
In addition to this, stirring the grits constantly will ensure they do not stick to the bottom of the saucepan.
If your grits are too thick or lumpy, add more liquid a tablespoon at a time until they are your desired consistency.
Once the grits have been reheated, pour them into a serving dish and serve them immediately.
How to Reheat Grits Using the Microwave
Reheating grits in the microwave is definitely not the ideal option. However, it is the fastest method to reheat grits.
Nevertheless, if you do not pay attention to your grits, you may end up with some parts of the grits being hot and other parts being cold.
To reheat leftover grits in the microwave, place them in a microwave-safe container.
Add 1-2 tablespoons of water, milk, chicken, or vegetable broth and cover the grits.
Heat the grits in 3-second intervals stirring between each interval until the grits are thoroughly heated.
If the grits are too thick or lumpy, add another tablespoon of liquid before placing it into the microwave. Serve the grits immediately.
How to Reheat Grits Using Oven
Although the oven is useful for reheating brisket, pulled pork, and chicken wings, it is not ideal for reheating grits.
Grits are more likely to dry out or thicken too much if you heat them in the oven. Nevertheless, you can reheat grits in the oven and yield stellar results.
To reheat grits in the oven, place them into an oven-safe container that has a lid.
Heat the oven to 350°F, add 3-4 tablespoons of milk, water, chicken, or vegetable broth to the grits, and stir to combine.
Place the lid onto the grits and bake them for 2-3 minutes, stirring it every 30-seconds.
Remove the grits from the oven and add additional liquid a tablespoon at a time until the grits are your desired consistency.
Return the grits to the oven and bake them for 2-3 minutes, stirring every 30-seconds until they are thoroughly heated. Serve the grits immediately.
Final Thoughts
Grits are the ultimate breakfast food and side dish.
Now that you know you can reheat grits, you can cook them in advance and eat them for breakfast all week long.
You might also be interested in:
- How To Reheat Mac And Cheese
- How To Reheat Corn On The Cob
- How To Reheat Cornbread
- How To Reheat Apple Pie
- How To Reheat A Baked Potato
I have been smoking and grilling meat from an early age and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise through the hundreds of articles I have written about BBQ. I hope to make everyone’s BBQ journey that little bit easier.