How To Reheat Grits: 3 BEST Methods

Grits are a delicious traditional breakfast food, especially popular in the Southern United States. Made from ground corn, grits have a creamy and comforting texture perfect for starting your day. If you have leftovers or make a big batch ahead of time, you’ll need to know the best ways to reheat grits to keep that just-made taste and texture.

In this article, I’ll share my top 3 recommended methods for how to reheat grits so you can save your leftovers and have a quick, tasty meal anytime. With a few simple steps, you’ll be enjoying piping hot grits with your favorite toppings again in no time. Let’s get started!

Reheat Grits Using the Stovetop

My number one preferred way to reheat grits is on the stovetop. This allows you to fully control the temperature and consistency as you reheat. Stovetop reheating brings grits back to life deliciously!

Here are the simple steps for stovetop grits reheating success:

Put the leftover grits into a non-stick pan on the stovetop. Use a non-stick pan to prevent burning or sticking.
Add a small amount of milk, water, broth or other cooking liquid into the grits. This adds moisture as you reheat.
Turn the heat to low and stir the grits continuously with a spatula or spoon.
If needed, add a bit more liquid a little at a time to reach the desired creamy consistency.
As you stir, break up any clumps or pieces of hardened grits.
Be sure to scrape along the bottom and sides of the pan so nothing sticks.
After a few minutes of stirring over low heat, the grits should be fully heated through and silky smooth.
Serve hot and enjoy your reheated grits!

I love reheating grits on the stovetop because I can get them back to the exact texture I want. The hands-on process means I never have to worry about under or overcooking my grits in the microwave. It may take a bit longer, but it’s worth it for tender, creamy, hot grits every time.

Reheat Grits in the Microwave

While stovetop is my top reheating recommendation, I understand that the microwave can be a quicker and easier option for many busy mornings. As long as you use caution, the microwave can successfully reheat grits in just a minute or two.

Follow these steps to reheat grits in the microwave:

Scoop the leftover grits into a microwave-safe bowl or container.
Stir a small amount of water, milk or broth into the grits to add back moisture.
Microwave on Medium power for 30 seconds.
Carefully remove from the microwave and stir well.
If needed, add a bit more liquid and stir again.
Return to the microwave and reheat for another 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on the amount.
Check that the grits are fully hot throughout. Add more heating time if needed.
Serve immediately and enjoy your quick microwaved grits!

When reheating grits in the microwave, the two keys are watching closely and stirring often. This prevents overcooking or uneven hot spots. I recommend starting with 30 second intervals and adjusting from there based on your microwave power.

While microwaved grits won’t have quite the same smooth texture as the stovetop, they can still be a tasty reheat option when you’re short on time.

Use Your Oven to Reheat Grits

The oven can also be used to safely reheat leftover grits, though the results may differ from stovetop. Here are the oven reheating steps:

Scoop the grits into an oven-safe baking dish or casserole dish.
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Pour some water, milk, broth or other cooking liquid over the grits to add moisture.
Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or a lid.
Bake for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.
Check the grits and add a bit more liquid if needed.
Return to oven for additional heating time if required.
Once hot, remove from oven and serve.

The nice thing about reheating grits in the oven is you don’t have to watch and stir like on the stovetop or microwave. However, it can be tricky to achieve the ideal texture. Oven-reheated grits may end up a bit drier or more cake-like.

I recommend the oven as a secondary option if you’ll be reheating a very large batch of grits. Covering the dish helps retain moisture. Just keep in mind that the results may not be as creamily smooth as stovetop reheating.

FAQs About Reheating Leftover Grits

What Exactly Are Grits?

Grits are a porridge made from corn that has been ground into a coarse flour then boiled. The most common version is made from white corn, though grits can also be made from yellow or blue corn.

Traditionally served as a savory breakfast dish, grits can also be enjoyed as a side item. Common additions include cheese, butter, salt and pepper, though grits can be topped with anything from scrambled eggs to shrimp and more.

How Long Do Leftover Grits Last?

Cooked grits will keep fresh in the refrigerator for about 5 to 6 days. Leftover grits stored longer than a week tend to dry out or become sour. Freezing grits extends their shelf life to about 1 month.

To make leftovers easy to reheat, I recommend storing grits in individual containers with 1-2 servings each. This prevents waste from reheating a huge batch.

How Can You Tell When Grits Have Gone Bad?

Check leftover grits closely before reheating or consuming them after storage. Signs that grits have spoiled include:

Change in color from white to yellow or green
Bitter, sour or moldy odor
Unpleasant taste when sampled
Change in texture such as excessive dryness

If your leftover grits show any signs of spoilage, it’s safest to throw them out and start fresh. Don’t take risks with old, questionable grits.

Enjoy Perfectly Reheated Grits Every Time

Now you’re fully prepared with several methods for reheating leftover grits while maintaining delicious flavor and texture. Whether you prefer stovetop, microwave or oven reheating, the keys are adding back moisture and thoroughly heating until hot.

Next time you make a pot of this comforting Southern staple like cheesy bacon grits or shrimp and grits, save some for later meals. With these simple steps for how to reheat grits, you’ll be ready to enjoy your leftovers again soon.