bowl of creamy grits

Basic Grits

Yield

4 servings

Prep Time / Cook Time

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Activity Guide

Backpacking, Bike Touring, Car Camping

Ingredients

  • 1 cup grits
  • 4 cups cold water
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • white cheddar cheese, bacon, and/or country ham (optional)

Tools

  • Mixing spoon
  • Medium pot with lid

Method

  1. Stir grits into the water and place the pot on medium-high heat on your stove.
  2. Cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 15-20 minutes. Keep at a low boil to avoid lumps.
  3. Once thick, stir in 1/4 cup water, cover, and set stove to low heat.
  4. You can add one more 1/4 cup water as grits thicken if you’re still cooking the rest of your meal. The longer grits cook, the creamier they will be. Just don’t forget to stir occasionally the whole time.
  5. Spoon yerself a bowlful, add a pat of butter, salt, pepper, and any of the optional ingredients you like.
  6. I like to let all the extras sit on top of the grits rather than stirring them in so that I can taste them better. You are likely to add too much salt and butter if you stir it in or cook with it.