12 Great Ways to Thicken Grits

Grits are a staple food in the southern United States, and it’s not unusual for people to spend their whole lives eating only grits.

If you have never had them before, then think of them as a type of porridge that is made from cornmeal. Grits can be eaten with milk or water, but they tend to taste better when they are served with butter and salt.

There are many ways that you can make grits at home if you don’t want to buy them from a store. However, some people find themselves struggling when trying to make good-quality grits on their own because the consistency is either too thin or too thick.

This post will discuss how to get your grits to the perfect consistency, so continue reading if you want to learn more.

Great Ways to Thicken Grits

1. Use Less Water

If you want your grits to be thicker, then you can try using less water. This is a pretty simple solution, and it’s something that most people are probably familiar with.

By reducing the amount of liquid that you add to the pot, you will make it so that the end result is a much thicker porridge-like dish.

This is perfect for people who want a heartier meal, and it can be combined with other methods to make sure that the grits are just right.

If you are someone who likes their grits on the thicker side, then this is definitely something that you will want to try out.

It’s an easy fix, and all you have to do is reduce the amount of water that you add by a small margin each time until they reach your desired consistency.

If possible, try adding only one cup for every two cups of dry cornmeal and stirring frequently to make sure everything is incorporated.

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2. Cook Them at a Lower Temperature

If you’ve been cooking your grits at a low temperature, then this could be the reason that they aren’t getting thick enough.

When you cook grits too quickly or on too high of a heat, it can cause them to become thin and watery instead of thicker and creamier tasting like what most people are looking for.

If you want to make sure that your grits turn out thicker, then you should cook them at a lower temperature. This will give them more time to absorb the liquid and thicken up.

Just be sure to stir them regularly so they don’t stick to the bottom of the pot and become burnt.

You might also find it helpful to use a heavy-bottomed pot when cooking your grits because this will help distribute heat more evenly and prevent scorching or burning.

A slow cooker can also come in handy if you want to make creamy, thick grits without having to worry about them becoming too thin.

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3. Allow the Grits to Set up

If you don’t want to add more liquid or cook them at a lower temperature, then another option is to let the grits set up.

This means that you will need to let the cooked grits sit in the pot for about 15 minutes after they are done cooking.

During this time, they will thicken up and reach their desired consistency.

Just be sure not to overcook your grits because they can become gluey or pasty if you do.

Once the grits have had a chance to set up, you can either serve them as they are or put them in a food processor to create a smoother texture.

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4. Thicken Them with Flour

There are a few different ingredients that you can use to thicken up your grits. One of these is flour.

If you want to try thickening your grits with flour, then you will need about a tablespoon of it for every cup of liquid that they’re called for.

Just mix the flour into the cooked grits and cook them together on low heat until they have reached their desired consistency. This should take anywhere from five to ten minutes depending upon how much liquid is in the pot.

Another option if you don’t feel like using so much butter or oil would be to add some powdered milk instead of regular milk when making your grits. This can also help thicken up your final product which might make all of the difference in terms of getting things just right!

You may even find that adding some flour or powdered milk will be enough to make your grits thicken up.

As long as you don’t add too much, then they shouldn’t become pasty or gluey either which is a good thing.

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5. Use Different Types of Grits

Lastly, if you don’t want to use other ingredients or methods to help thicken up your grits, you can try using different types of grits.

Some people find that certain types of grits cook up thicker than others.

If you’re not getting the desired results with one type of grit, then you might want to try a different variety.

This is an easy way to get the thickness that you desire without having to add any extra ingredients.

Just be sure to read the package directions carefully so that you cook them properly and don’t end up with runny or too thick of grits.

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6. Add an Egg

If you really want to give your grits some extra body and thickness, then one option is to add an egg.

Just beat up the egg and stir it into the cooked grits along with some butter.

Cook them together until they reach their desired consistency which shouldn’t take very long at all if you are using a slow cooker.

You may also find that adding seasonings such as garlic powder or onion can help thicken up your final product as well just like flour does in most cases.

As long as you don’t go overboard on these ingredients, then they should be able to work without causing any problems for those who might have dietary restrictions or allergies.

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question, there are a few different things that you can do in order to thicken up your grits when they aren’t quite right.

7. Use Cornstarch

If you are looking for a way to thicken your grits up without using flour or other thickening agents, then cornstarch might be the answer.

Add in a tablespoon of cornstarch for every half cup of grits and cook them together until they reach their desired consistency which should only take about twenty minutes.

The mixture will be thick enough to eat as is or you can add in ingredients such as butter, milk, salt and pepper to make it even thicker.

8. Use Polenta Instead

If you aren’t able to find good quality stone-ground white grits at your local grocery store then polenta might be an alternative that works well with many different recipes.

Polenta has similar properties when compared to traditional yellow or white grits because both are made from ground up dried corn kernels – although there are some differences between these two foods.

Polenta is cooked up in much the same way as grits, but it can take a little bit longer to make since you’ll need to roast the polenta before cooking it.

The end result should be thick enough for your needs whether you want to eat them on their own or add seasonings and other ingredients into the mix.

9. Include Milk or Cream

One easy way to thicken your grits up is by adding some milk or cream.

This will add more liquid to the mix which can help make them thicker overall.

You can either stir the milk in while they are cooking or add it after they are done – whichever you find easier.

If you want to get even thicker grits, then you might want to add in some powdered milk which should thicken them up even more.

Just like flour or other thickening agents, make sure that you don’t add too much because this can lead to runny and thin results.

Powdered milk will be enough to make your grits thicker without making them too heavy or dense.

10. Strain Out Moisture

If you are using a slow cooker to cook your grits, then one thing that you can do to thicken them up is to strain out the moisture.

This means that you will need to get a colander and place the cooked grits in it while they are still hot.

Then, use a spoon or fork to press them down so that the liquid is released.

You can either discard the liquid or save it to add back in later if you find that your grits are still too thin.

This process will remove some of the excess moisture which can make your final product thicker overall.

If you don’t have a slow cooker, then you can melt some butter and pour it over the cooked grits.

This should thicken them up quickly by releasing additional liquid which will allow for more thickening power.

Just make sure that you aren’t adding too much because this could lead to the opposite effect, making your final product runny.

Don’t worry if your grits turn out thin the first time you make them – with a little bit of experimentation, you’ll be able to find the perfect method for making them thicker.

Use one (or more) of these tips to help get your desired results and enjoy some delicious, thick grits every time.

11. Add Some Butter

Finally, if you want to make your grits extra creamy and thick, then you might consider adding some butter to them.

This is a pretty simple solution, but it can make a big difference in terms of the final product.

Just add about a tablespoon of butter for every cup of grits that you are cooking.

You can either melt the butter and add it to the pot while the grits are cooking or you can put it on top when they are done.

Either way, adding some butter will give your grits a richer flavor and also help thicken them up.

Some people even like to add cheese to their grits which can give them an extra creamy texture as well.

12. Stop Cooking Them When They Are Done

Finally, if you’re worried about your grits getting too thin or runny, then one solution is to stop cooking them when they are done.

This means that you will need to be careful not to overcook them because this can lead to undesirable results.

Once the grits have reached their desired consistency, turn off the heat and let them sit in the pot for a few minutes.

This will give them a chance to thicken up and reach their final texture.

If you’re using a slow cooker, then you can just let them cook on low for a while after they are done so that they can continue thickening up.

Can You Thicken Grits That Have Already Been Made Too Thin?

If you make grits and they come out too thin, there may be a few different things that you can do to thicken them up.

First of all, if your grits are made with milk or water then it’s possible that the liquid was not enough in order for them to turn outright.

To fix this problem, simply add more of whatever kind of liquid they were originally cooked in until they reach their desired thickness.

If these steps don’t solve the issue though and your grits still won’t get thick enough no matter what additions you try, then there is another way around it.

You can always use some type of starch such as cornstarch which will allow you to quickly thicken up your grits without making them too thick.

This will make it easier to enjoy eating the final product, especially if you like thicker grits than most people do!

Conclusion

Grits can be a delicious dish, but they are also known for being runny and thin. If you’re looking to thicken up your grits with different methods, then this blog post will provide some great tips that should work well in most cases.

You’ll learn about the best ways to use milk or cream as an ingredient when cooking grits along with other things such as using cornstarch or polenta instead of traditional stone-ground white grits. These easy tricks should help you make perfect thickened-up grits every time!