What to do with Leftover Grits: 16 recipes and useful tips

Learn what to do with leftover grits using this collection of 16 fantastic recipes. Choose an appetizer, dinner, or even breakfast. There are lots of great dishes to try. Don’t let all the hard work of creating grits go to waste! Check out these amazing storage tips and then turn your leftovers into a new family favorite.

Close up image of grits. Text reads "Leftover Grits Recipes"

Leftover Grits Recipes

Grits are a popular and economical pantry staple. You can eat them with sugar or salt and they have a great shelf life. But what happens if you make too much and you have leftover grits?

This collection of recipes will help you take your extra grits and turn them into something new. From a fresh breakfast idea the next morning to a new family dinner favorite.

There are lots of varieties of grits: stone-ground, fast-cooking or quick grits, and instant grits. You can use them to make a side dish, like grits cakes, or make a bowl of grits for breakfast.

Some of the recipes in this collection mention cooking your grits. But don’t worry, we made sure that these recipes can easily be subbed with pre-cooked.

If you’re looking for the best way to cook them, check this recipe for how to make grits for a basic recipe.

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Grits FAQ

What are grits made of?

Grits are made from ground corn. You can find white and yellow corn varieties.

How long do cooked grits last in the refrigerator?

  • Plain grits will last 5-7 days when stored in an airtight container or plastic wrap.
  • If you’ve added any additional ingredients to your grits, then they may only last 3-5 days

Can you freeze grits?

Yes! You can freeze cooked grits for 2-3 months and uncooked grits will last years in the freezer.

Other recipe ideas you may enjoy!

Each of these leftovers ideas will tell you:

  • Type of recipe
  • Number of ingredients
  • How many grits you will need.
  • The complexity of ingredients (aka, whether or not you might need to hit the grocery store first)
  • How long it takes to prepare (including cook time)
  • Special diet (Keto, Gluten-free, etc)
  • Equipment needed. (Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, etc.)

What to do with leftover grits

If you’re currently wrapping up some leftovers, don’t stress! Pin this to your favorite recipe board and it will be ready when you are! 

Close up image of grits. Text reads "Leftover Grits - Storage Times, Leftover Tips, plus 16 recipes""

Ingredients that work well with day-old grits

These ingredients will pop up in a lot of the recipes below. So if you have them on hand, you will be able to find more ideas to make.

  • green onions
  • sauteed onion
  • bacon bits
  • eggs
  • whole milk or heavy cream
  • parmesan cheese
  • cheddar cheese
  • maple syrup
  • chicken stock
  • cayenne pepper

What can you make with leftover grits

Our goal is to help you find ideas using the leftovers you already have at home.

Each of these grits dishes will give you some important details so that you can pick the best recipe for your leftovers.

Check out the blogger that published each idea to use their tips and recipe.

Note: pantry ingredients include dry ingredient pantry staples like olive oil, all-purpose flour, brown sugar, corn starch, salt, black pepper, spices, etc.

Please check the recipe to make sure that you have the ingredients needed to create the dish. If you are making gluten-free recipes, it may include things like almond flour and other common gluten-free pantry items

Which new recipe are you looking forward to trying first?

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Images of food made with grits. Text reads "Leftover Grits Recipe Ideas'