Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits –In the South, grits are a must-have breakfast dish. In fact, many Southern cooks make them up for dinner as well. They’re quick and simple to make with an Instant Pot – add water, and you’re set! This recipe is perfect for those mornings when you need a filling breakfast that will take you straight through until lunchtime. The creamy cheese sauce makes this dish extra indulgent without too much effort on your end. Topped off with bacon crumbles or even slices of ham, these grits are sure to be a crowd-pleaser!

Do you love grits? These Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits are a quick and easy breakfast recipe that will make your morning-time routine so much easier. The cheese is the perfect addition to this dish, giving it just enough flavor without overpowering it. You’ll be ready for anything with these Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits!
The best thing you can do for yourself is to try the Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits. It’s an easy one-pot recipe that will have you cooking grits in no time and with minimal clean-up! The Instant Pot cooks your grits so quickly and without as much mess as a stove or slow cooker would make.
Grits are such a great side dish, but they take some time to cook on the stovetop or in a crockpot. This instant pot version cuts down on cooking time and makes it easier to prepare this southern classic!
If you are looking for even more Instant Pot Breakfast Recipes, some of my favorites are INSTANT POT, and EASY BANANA NUT BREAD OATMEAL.
What Are Grits?
I’m sure you’ve heard of grits before, but what are they? Grits are a type of cornmeal that is typically eaten for breakfast. They’re usually served with butter and salt or sugar. I love them because they’re super easy to make, taste amazing, and are VERY budget-friendly!
Grits come in different varieties, depending on the type of corn used to make them. You can find white or yellow grits made from either sweet or white corn, respectively, and hominy grits made out of dried kernels of maize treated with an alkali solution before being ground into a meal.
Grits come in different varieties depending on how they’re prepared–some people like their grits hard while others prefer them soft.
Ingredients Needed For Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits

- Butter
- Stone-Ground Grits
- Water
- Heavy Cream
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- Butter
How To Make Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits

In your Instant Pot bowl, add the stone-ground grits and butter. Press the saute button and saute the grits with the butter (mixing constantly) for about 2-3 minutes, until the grits are slightly toasted.

Then mix in the water, heavy cream salt, and pepper. Add the lid, making sure that the vent is in the sealing position. Set the manual high pressure for 10 minutes. When the time is up, do a natural release.
When the pin has dropped, and the pressure has been completely released, open the lid and stir. Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, stir until melted.

Are grits and polenta the same thing?
Grits and polenta are both made from cornmeal, but they have a lot in common. They can be eaten as cereal or porridge, fried into cakes, used to thicken sauces, or ground into flour for baking.
Grits is the more popular version of the two because it’s considered easier to cook with than polenta. However, you might find that some people call grits “polenta” while others call them by their original name!
How to make grits thicker?
Grits are a delicious breakfast food that can be made in many different ways. One of the most common questions asked is how to make grits thicker. If you find that they are too thin for your liking, then press the saute button after you let the pressure release from the Instant Pot and saute, until they are thickened to your liking!
How to make grits thinner?
To make them even thinner, I usually add more milk or heavy cream, after they have done cooking. Remember to stir them, and you can even add butter in, to thin them out.
What if my grits are still chewy/ undercooked?
If you’re cooking grits and the end result is chewy, or even undercooked, don’t give up! There are many ways to salvage your dish. Add more liquid (milk) to the pot and saute for another 5-10 minutes. Make sure not to overcook them so they maintain their creamy texture.

Can I use a different type of cheese?
You can add whatever cheese you really want, although the traditional method is really with a great Cheddar Cheese. I have used both Mexican Cheese and Mozarella Cheese! But you can also use gouda, gruyere, and even fontina cheese. They all work really well for this recipe!
Helpful Products Used In This Recipe:
Instant Pot: Instant Pot Duo Plus 6 Quart 9-in-1 Electric Pressure Cooker, Slow Cooker, Rice Cooker, Steamer, Sauté, Yogurt Maker, Warmer & Sterilizer, 15 One-Touch Programs, Stainless Steel/Black
Stone-Ground Grits: Palmetto Farms, Grits Stone Ground White, 32 Ounce
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Instant Pot Southern Cheesy Grits
Description
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, unsalted
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon butter, for serving
Instructions
- In your Instant Pot bowl, add the stone-ground grits and butter.
- Press the saute button and saute the grits, with the butter, (mixing constantly) for about 2-3 minutes, until the grits are slightly toasted.
- Then mix in the water, heavy cream salt, and pepper. Add the lid, making sure that the vent is in the sealing position.
- Set the manual high pressure for 10 minutes. When the time is up, do a natural release.
- When the pin has dropped, and the pressure has been completely released, open the lid, and then stir.
- Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, until the cheese has melted.
- Plate, serve, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Instant Pot
Nutrition
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