Creamy Dairy-Free Grits

Last Updated on September 2, 2022 by Annie

Learn how to make creamy dairy-free grits with this simple 5 ingredient recipe. These easy vegan grits make the perfect breakfast or brunch recipe and can be on the table in under 10 minutes.

A southern classic, creamy grits are a breakfast and brunch staple! Growing up I enjoyed having grits anytime I could! From breakfast to an after-school snack, I ate grits all of the time. Typically made with an instant grits packet, hot water, a spoonful of butter, and topped with shredded cheddar cheese.

After going dairy-free I needed to find a way to get my grits fix without the side effects of dairy. My first attempts at making grits were disappointing, to say the least. For starters, I used almond milk as the milk replacement and tried adding nutritional yeast to get that cheesy, nutty flavor. This resulted in too many flavors that took away from the grits.

After a few hundred attempts at striking the perfect balance for a delicious and creamy bowl of vegan grits, I finally found the key.

The Key to Creamy Vegan Grits

One of the best tricks for creamy grits is to incorporate a creamy liquid base. Out of may test recipes, I found the creamiest liquid to add to grits without adding additional flavor was oat milk. It’s thick and creamy with a mild flavor that allows the grits to really shine through.

The second tip is to use equal parts water to the oat milk. This prevents making the grits too thick and keeps the consistency just right.

Why We LOVE these Vegan Grits

There isn’t much that beats a fresh bowl of creamy grits in the morning, here are just some of the many wonderful reasons we love this easy grits recipe.

• Thick and creamy. These delicious and vegan grits are thick, creamy, and loaded with flavor.
• Quick to make. Ready in under 10 minutes, these filling grits are sure to hit the spot and not waste your whole morning in the kitchen.
• Dairy-free and vegan making them perfect for just about every diet.

How to Make Creamy Grits

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Water– Helps soften and cook the grits.
• Non-dairy Milk– Adds a creamy texture to the grits while also softening during the cooking. I like to use oat milk with grits because it doesn’t add any additional flavors to the bowl.
• Grits– Use old-fashioned grits, not instant grits for this recipe.
• Vegan Butter- Adds a little flavor to the finished bowl of grits.
• Salt– Amps up the flavor.

Step-by-Step Directions

• Heat liquids: In a medium saucepan heat non-dairy milk and water over medium-high heat.
• Bring to a boil.
• Add grits: Once boiling, whisk in grits and reduce the heat to low.

• Cook and whisk: Continue whisking, not constantly but do not leave them unattended, for about 5 minutes until thick and creamy.
• Add flavor: Whisk in plant-based butter and salt and cook for about 3 more minutes.
• Remove from heat and serve. Add additional plant-based butter, salt, and toppings as desired. See serving suggestions below for additional topping ideas.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

Here are just some of the tools I use in the kitchen with these creamy vegan grits.

• Whisk– From adding the grits to the liquid to whisking in the vegan butter and salt, this wire whisk does it all.
• Old Fashioned Grits– You will definitely need some grits on hand to whip up this quick vegan breakfast.

Dairy-Free Changes to Creamy Grits

I know that when you hear the word creamy you automatically assume cream. For this ultra-creamy grits recipe, you do not need to worry about finding any cream here! To make these grits you need to swap a few dairy-filled with some dairy-free items.

• Milk- I replaced the milk with oat milk. In my experience (we’re talking 200+ breakfasts with creamy grits) the oat milk gives the creamiest finish without adding any additional flavors to the bowl.
• Butter- The finishing touch to any good bowl of grits is some butter. We all know everything is bettah with buttah but if you’re like me and keeping free of dairy then you will want to swap in some plant-based butter for the finishing touch.

Serving Suggestions

While this grits recipe is vegan, some of these suggestions do not fall under the category of vegan. Please top with your desired toppings based on your dietary needs.

• Eggs- Top with a hard fried or goopy egg.
• Green onion- Garnish with some fresh chopped green onion.
• Cheese- Violife Just Like Cheddar Shreds make an excellent topping for these creamy grits.
• Bacon Bits- Freshly cooked bacon chopped and sprinkled on top (especially with a goopy egg).
• Shrimp- Turn this dish into a southern classic, shrimp and grits, with some freshly cooked shrimp.

Storage Tips

While I prefer to enjoy my bowl of grits the same day I prepare them, I have been known to have some leftovers. Here is the best way to store and reheat your creamy vegan grits.

• Refrigerate– Keep leftover grits in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days in an airtight container.
• Reheating- To reheat, transfer grits to a microwave-safe container and heat for 30-second intervals stirring between heatings until the desired temperature is reached. Add a splash of oat milk to loosen up the grits until they reach the desired consistency.

Grits Facts

Are Grits Better with Milk or Water?

This is up to your personal opinion but, when I make grits I find that the blend of both plant-based milk and water gives the grits a creamier texture than when they are made with just water. If you want to have ultra-creamy grits (think thick and perfect for shrimp and grits) you can always replace the water with all plant-based milk.

Are grits the same as polenta?

Grits and polenta are very similar but not identical. They are both made from ground corn but the type of corn differs. Grits come from ground white corn while polenta comes from ground yellow corn.

What is the best ratio of grits to water?

From my experience, the best ratio of liquid to grits is 4:1. That means for every 4 cups of liquid you boil use 1 cup of grits. For this recipe, I used 2 cups liquid (equal parts water and oat milk) to 1/2 cup of grits.

Are grits gluten-free?

Naturally, grits are a gluten-free food however that doesn’t mean they don’t come across contamination from other sources during manufacturing. If you follow a gluten-free diet you will want to be sure to check the label to see if the grits you are buying are in fact gluten-free. Some brands that are gluten-free and do not have cross-contaminates include:

• Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free Corn Grits
• Arrowhead Mills Gluten-Free Corn Grits
• Carolina Grits Company White Grits

The main brand of grits you will want to avoid if you follow a gluten-free diet is the Quaker Oats Instant Grits. While the physical grits themselves are gluten-free, they are processed on the same equipment that handles other gluten-containing ingredients.

Delicious Dairy-Free Breakfast Ideas

• Sausage and Egg Kolaches
• Breakfast Tacos
• Everything Bagel Pigs in a Blanket

If you tried this creamy grits recipe and enjoyed it feel free to leave a comment below! I would love to hear how it went! Or, snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram by tagging @mylifeafterdairy to share all your life after dairy adventures!

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