Creamy Microwave Grits with Garlic and Cheese

Whether you think of it as a Southern breakfast staple or a Mardis Gras Creole classic, grits feel hearty and homey. If youโ€™re not a fan of tending them over a stove, though, youโ€™re in luck. Iโ€™ll teach you how to make fast and easy creamy microwave grits flavored with garlic and cheese.

creamy microwave grits recipe dinners done quick

Why Youโ€™ll Love This Recipe

Instead of the constant stirring and attention required on the stove, you can make these grits in your microwave. Depending on the type of grits and the quantity, it generally only takes 15-20 minutes to cook!ย 

You only need one bowl for cooking, so cleanup is easy too.ย  Iโ€™m not judging you if you eat them right out of the bowl as well!

spoonful of garlic and cheese microwave grits

The best part of the microwave method is that you donโ€™t need to worry about trying to scrape burned grits off your stovetop pan. Been there, done that, never doing it again!

Since these grits are so easy to make, you can enjoy them anytime. Theyโ€™re great for a warm breakfast to start the day, but equally good with smoked sausage, shrimp, and whatever else you want to lay on top.

Shopping List: Ingredients to Grab

microwave grits with cheese and garlic ingredients on a counter
  • ยฝ cup grits (such as Quaker quick 5-minute grits)
  • 3 cups water, milk, or chicken stock (or a combination thereof)ย 
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 ยฝ tsp garlic powder
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • ยฝ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
  • Additional toppings or garnishes as desired

Ingredient Tips, Subs, and Variations

  • Grits. You can use regular or quick cooking grits for this (but not instant). The quick cooking does tend to cook slightly faster and a little more reliably, but you can definitely use regular if needed
  • Liquid. For the creamiest grits use milk, or you can even substitute half and half. For more flavor, use chicken stock. I typically use 1 cup of each (water, stock, and milk)
  • Garlic. I find garlic powder is easier to work with and blends in well, but you can use 2-3 cloves of fresh, minced garlic if preferred
  • Cheddar. If you dislike cheddar for some reason, gouda is another great option. Iโ€™ve also tried parmesan with success
  • Hot sauce is entirely optional so you can omit it if you donโ€™t like any heat. I do like to add some as I feel it gives it a little more flavor
  • Microwave grits for one: Use ยผ cup grits, 1 ยฝ cups liquid, and seasonings to taste
  • Variations: For sweeter grits, omit garlic, cheese, and stock. Top cooked grits with cinnamon and brown sugar, honey and bananas, or sweet cream. Try a breakfast version topped with maple and cooked bacon pieces, or with a runny egg
  • My grits are topped with sliced green onions and fresh cracked black pepper

How to Cook Grits in the Microwave

  1. To a large microwave safe bowl (mine is 5.8 qt) add grits, water (or other liquids as desired), salt, and garlic powder
add grits, water, salt, and garlic powder to a large bowl
  1. Stir everything to distribute well and prevent dry spots and clumping
stir ingredients to mix well together
  1. Cook on high uncovered in microwave for 15 minutes, pausing to stir every 5 minutes
  2. If it gets too thick during cooking, add up to ยฝ cup more water. Alternatively, if too thin, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes
cook instant grits in the microwave stirring frequently
  1. Once grits are cooked, while still hot, add butter and cheese and stir until both are melted and incorporated
mix in butter and shredded cheese to hot microwave grits
  1. Add hot sauce if desired and stir to combine
add and stir in hot sauce to heated grits
  1. Top with your favorite toppings or enjoy as is!
overhead view of microwave grits in a bowl with shredded cheese and bacon to the side

What to Serve With Grits

  • Fried okra
  • Collard greens
  • Biscuits
  • Gravy
  • Succotash
  • Barbecue ribs
  • Pulled pork
  • Shrimp and grits
  • Etouffeeย 
  • Breakfast sausage
  • Smoked sausage
  • Fresh fruit
  • Honey
  • Maple syrup
  • Bacon
  • Fried fish

Try your microwave grits with this easy air fryer frozen breaded fish, crispy cornmeal catfish nuggets, tasty air fryer kielbasa, roasted air fryer ratatouille, air fryer frozen sausage patties, or top it with crispy microwave turkey bacon.ย 

Recipe FAQs

Can Grits Be Cooked in the Microwave?

Yes, grits can be cooked in the microwave.

All styles of grits, including quick, instant, and standard stone ground can be cooked in the microwave.

What is the Ratio of Water to Grits?

For stone ground grits, quick grits, and instant grits, the standard ratio of water is 4:1.

That said, if your water evaporates before your grits are cooked, more hot water may be added as needed.

Do You Add Water or Milk to Grits?

Either water or milk is fine for grits. Alternatively, chicken or vegetable stock may also be used for additional flavor.

It is also fine to use a combination of liquids, as long as you keep the same total measurement.

Recipe Expert Advice

  • To check for doneness of your grits, take a small spoonful and try to chew it. If it is gritty or sandy, itโ€™s not ready. If itโ€™s more of a smooth, squishy texture, then itโ€™s done
  • Itโ€™s important to not cover the bowl in the microwave during cooking. This allows for better release of steam so the liquid evaporates. If you cover it, your grits will be soupy. Thatโ€™s why youโ€™ll want a large bowl (to avoid overflow)
  • Cooking time is based on a 1000W microwave. If you have a different wattage, you may need to adjust up or down slightly to accommodate
  • The grits will thicken slightly as they rest for a few minutes. If you think theyโ€™re close when you pull them out after cooking, donโ€™t put them back in โ€“ theyโ€™ll get there on their own
  • If you add your butter and cheese too late (so your grits have cooled) and they wonโ€™t melt, you can pop it back in the microwave for a minute or so to help it along
closeup of a bowl of microwave grits with garlic and cheese

Other Corn-Based Recipes to Try

Final Thoughts

These super easy microwave grits take all the hard parts out of cooking so you can get to eating that much sooner!ย ย 

Theyโ€™re perfect alongside some shrimp for your Mardis Gras celebration, or add a nice fried egg and some bacon for breakfast. You really canโ€™t go wrong no matter how you enjoy them!

These garlic cheese grits are by far my favorite flavor combination though!

For another quick cooking breakfast bursting with flavor, check out my Microwave Shakshuka recipe!

creamy microwave grits recipe dinners done quick featured image

Creamy Microwave Garlic Cheese Grits

Easy microwave grits are great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pair them with sweet toppings, or savory, like this classic cheese and garlic grits combination.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 18 minutes
Course Breakfast, Brunch, Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 221 kcal

Equipment

Ingredients
ย ย 

  • ยฝ Cup grits (such as Quaker quick 5-minute grits)
  • 3 Cups water, milk, or chicken stock (or a combination thereof)
  • 1 Tsp salt
  • 1 ยฝ Tsp garlic powder
  • 2 Tbsp butter (salted)
  • ยฝ Cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 Tsp hot sauce (optional)
  • Additional toppings or garnishes as desired

Instructions
ย 

  • To a large microwave safe bowl add grits, water (or other liquids as desired), salt, and garlic powder
    ยฝ Cup grits, 3 Cups water, milk, or chicken stock, 1 Tsp salt, 1 ยฝ Tsp garlic powder
  • Stir everything to distribute well and prevent dry spots and clumping
  • Cook on high uncovered in microwave for 15 minutes, pausing to stir every 5 minutes
  • If it gets too thick during cooking, add up to ยฝ cup more water. Alternatively, if too thin, cook for an additional 3-5 minutes
  • Once grits are cooked, while still hot, add butter and cheese and stir until both are melted and incorporated
    2 Tbsp butter, ยฝ Cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • Add hot sauce if desired and stir to combine
    1 Tsp hot sauce
  • Top with your favorite toppings or enjoy as is!
    Additional toppings or garnishes as desired

Notes

  • To check for doneness of your grits, take a small spoonful and try to chew it. If it is gritty or sandy, itโ€™s not ready. If itโ€™s more of a smooth, squishy texture, then itโ€™s done
  • Itโ€™s important to not cover the bowl in the microwave during cooking. This allows for better release of steam so the liquid evaporates (weโ€™re using more than the normal ratio so this is necessary). If you cover it, your grits will be soupy. Thatโ€™s why youโ€™ll want a large bowl (to avoid overflow)
  • Cooking time is based on a 1000W microwave. If you have a different wattage, you may need to adjust up or down slightly to accommodate
  • The grits will thicken slightly as they rest for a few minutes. If you think theyโ€™re close when you pull them out after cooking, donโ€™t put them back in โ€“ theyโ€™ll get there on their own
  • You can use regular or quick cooking grits for this (but not instant). The quick cooking does tend to cook slightly faster and a little more reliably, but you can definitely use regular if needed
  • For the creamiest grits use milk, or you can even substitute half and half. For more flavor, use chicken stock. I typically use 1 cup of each (water, stock, and milk)
  • I find garlic powder is easier to work with and blends in well, but you can use 2-3 cloves of fresh, minced garlic if preferred
  • If you dislike cheddar cheese, gouda is another great option. Iโ€™ve also tried parmesan with success
  • Hot sauce is entirely optional so you can omit it if you donโ€™t like any heat. I do like to add some as I feel it gives it a little more flavor (itโ€™s not spicy as written, though)
  • Variations: For sweeter grits, omit garlic, cheese, and stock. Top cooked grits with cinnamon and brown sugar, honey and bananas, or sweet cream. Try a breakfast version topped with maple and cooked bacon pieces, or with a runny egg
  • My savory garlic and cheese grits are topped with sliced green onions and fresh cracked black pepper
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients, substitutions and toppings, and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 231gCalories: 221kcalCarbohydrates: 13.9gProtein: 10.2gFat: 14.3gSaturated Fat: 8.9gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 895mgPotassium: 140mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 8.6gCalcium: 323mg
Keyword cheese grits, grits, how to cook grits in the microwave, how to cook quick grits, microwave cheese grits, microwave garlic cheese grits, microwave grits, microwave grits instructions, microwave grits recipe, quaker grits in microwave
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Katie Vine