These savory, vegan-friendly stone-ground Crock-Pot Grits are cooked in a slow cooker while you sleep. Top them with green onions and diced tomatoes, or cheese and a runny egg. (Or all of the above!)
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Do you love grits? Personally, I adore grits, and would be happy eating them at any time of day. I have a special place in my heart, however, for grits that are ready for me to eat when I wake up in the morning.
(Who am I kidding? I love any food that’s ready for me when I wake up!)
Sometimes this happens when the husband takes pity on my pitiful, sleepy self, and makes breakfast for me. Other times, however, it happens when I throw (literally– THROW!) food into the slow cooker before bed.
(Okay, you’re on to me. I’m not nearly coordinated enough to “throw” food… I “pour” it).
Can I Use Instant Grits?
No. You may be thinking, “Grits don’t need to cook overnight! Grits come in tiny packets and cook in 5 minutes!”
Well, my friends, you need to try stone-ground grits.
These grits have more flavor and texture than instant grits, much in the same way steel cut oats taste different from instant oats. Trust me on this one- the texture is less mushy, and the flavors are more pronounced.
Sadly, stone-ground grits do not cook in 5 minutes– on the stove top they take about 25 minutes– but it’s worth it! If however, you don’t time to stir a pot of grits for 25 minutes in the morning, the slow cooker is your friend!
How to Cook Grits in a Crock Pot
These vegan-friendly Crock-Pot Grits are prepared at night– you can be cooking grits in a slow cooker while you sleep the night away! Simply add the ingredients to the slow cooker at night, and dig in when you wake up.
Top them with whatever topping you prefer– diced green onion and diced tomato, or a runny egg and cheese. (Or– go crazy and add ALL the toppings!)
Another option: Use this Crock-Pot Grits recipe to cook the grits while you’re gone at work all day, and then top it off quickly with shrimp. It’ll give you a quick and Easy Shrimp and Grits!
*Note: If you’re having trouble finding stone-ground grits, I like the kind at Trader Joe’s. You can also buy stone-ground grits online.
Overnight Grits
These savory, vegan-friendly stone-ground Crock-Pot Grits are cooked in a slow cooker while you sleep. Top them with green onions and diced tomatoes, or cheese and a runny egg. (Or all of the above!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (I use Trader Joe's Stone Ground Grits. Don't use instant grits or polenta).
- 2 cups milk or milk substitute
- 2 cups water
- 2 tsp salt (or more to taste)
- 1 1/2 TB butter or coconut oil (or more to taste)
- black pepper to taste
Optional Toppings:
- diced green onions
- diced tomatoes
- runny eggs
- sharp cheddar cheese, goat cheese, or your other favorite cheese
- hot sauce
Instructions
Spray or brush oil into slow cooker basin. Don't skip this step!!!
Add ingredients and cook on low 6-8 hours. Check when you wake up- if it looks watery, stir and let it cook a few more minutes on high while you get ready for your day (depending on the type of milk or milk substitute used, the grits may cook at different rates).
Add additional salt and pepper to taste.
Serve hot with desired toppings.
Recipe Notes
*Calorie calculations made using 2% milk. Calorie Calculations do not include optional toppings and mix-ins.
This is a fantastic idea! I am all for make-ahead breakfasts (as you know), and these sound amazing. I bet they could be dressed up to be either sweet or savory, too, which would be perfect in my house because my husband loves to wake up to something sweet, and I prefer something savory. I’m currently slow-cooker-less (the insert to mine cracked awhile back, and I have yet to find a good replacement), but when I get one I am definitely giving this a try!
Awesome!!! Yes- and it smells so delicious when you wake up. I saw that Ninja is making a crockpot that also lets you sauté and bake .. If mine “breaks” (by accident of course), that’s what’s going to replace it haha
Food that’s ready when I get up is my kinda food! I can slowly make my way over to it, with coffee in hand, of course, and dig right in, lol. I LOVE grits and with a poached egg? Now, you’re talking my kinda brekky 🙂
Mine too! Anything that means I can sleep longer is a win! Lol
OH, how I love grits and I like an egg atop, as pictured in your beautiful pictures. I’ve even been know to crumble up some crispy bacon on top as well. ; )
The egg is so yummy on it right!? The hubs would love some bacon on his!
What a great idea…I love grits and usually eat them with shrimp but an egg sounds perfect and ready upon waking is even better. Delicious!
They’re pretty fantastic with shrimp too 🙂
I’ve never made grits. I’m going to give this a try with soy milk!
Never!? Oo give them a shot! They cook well on the stove top too- you just have to pay attention to them more 🙂
Grits are not really a huge thing over here, but we love them and try to make them fairly often. Delicious comfort food.
Grits are not really a huge thing over here, but we love them and try to make them fairly often. Delicious comfort food.
Spread the word about grits! Lol
Wonderful use of the slow cooker! Perfect for breakfast with the eggs, tomatoes, and cheese. I have actually never tried stone-ground grits. Definitely need to add them to the list.
Thanks! And yes try them– they’re way tastier than instant
I was recently introduced to grits when I visited the South and I remember wanting to recreate it at home. Thanks for this easy to follow recipe! Can’t wait to try it.
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I’ve heard so much about overnight oats but never overnight grits! I definitely am more of a savory than a sweet breakfast person so I am all about this recipe! Thanks for sharing can’t wait to try 🙂
Awesome!! Enjoy! (I definitely prefer savory over sweet for breakfast too!)
So very very creamy AND vegan?! Im impressed they look fab!
Vegan as long as you don’t top it with an egg! 😉
What a great idea. I love grits but have never tried them in the slow cooker. Going give this one a try for sure 🙂 Thanks for sharing Sarah!
Awesome! Enjoy!
WOW! This sounds interesting. Looks delicious!
I love grits! What a great idea!
YES to this! I’m thinking sharp cheddar, spinach and an egg. Perfection! Great idea.
Yum that sounds perfect!
You nailed it on the steele cut oats consistency! Yes – so much better than instant!! Thanks for posting this! It looks amazing and I too enjoy waking up to food ready for me to eat!
I’ve never had overnight grits before.. Never seen stone ground grits here – must go fetching. I love the sound of that egg on top.. may a little crumble of Bacon too! Perfect Christmas morning breakfast for my family
I love make ahead breakfasts, and I just got a new slow cooker, so may need to give these a try!
Make-ahead breakfasts are the best!
I love oatmeal in the morning so this is intriguing to me. I also am all about breakfast being made when I get up. Luxury!
Goodness! I have NO idea if I like grits as I’ve never tasted them! This recipe makes me want to change that! Lovely!
Say whaaat!? Yes try them!!! 😀
Now you have me super intrigued! I’m never prepared grits in my slow cooker – but now I must! Am not a fan of instant grits, but skip over making stone ground grits as it takes too long – but having it cook overnight is such a brilliant idea! Thanks so much!
I have never had grits, but one of my all time favorite movies is ‘My Cousin Vinny.’ I remember the scene in which Joe Pesci questions his witness about the cooking time for grits, and that no self respecting southerner goes for the instant kinds. These look great!
Haha I never saw that movie! But it’s totally true lol