Grits are an American dish consisting of cornmeal porridge and water, sometimes seasoned with cheese or sausage. In the south, grits are a staple breakfast food. Besides breakfast, grits are considered to be the perfect side dish for lunch and dinner.
After enjoying your meal, you may be left with some grits. Would freezing cooked grits be an option to store the leftovers for later?
The answer is yes! You can freeze cooked grits. If you have a large quantity of cooked grits and you don’t want to eat them all at once, you can freeze them into an ice cube or store them in a freezer bag. Properly stored, cooked grits will last for 3 to 4 months in the freezer.
Does Cooked Grits Freeze Well?
Cooked grits freeze well but they need to be stored dry so that they don’t form ice crystals on top of themselves while being thawed out.
They can be stored in a freezer bag or an airtight container, which will keep them from getting freezer burn.
What Are The Benefits Of Freezing Cooked Grits?
There are a few potential benefits to freezing prepared grits:
1) You don’t have to worry about making time for breakfast when you’re busy
2) It’s easier to make sure that the grits are evenly cooked
3) You don’t have to worry about adding too much liquid during cooking
4) You can add ingredients like sausage, bacon, cheese, peppers, etc. to the frozen cooked grits right before reheating
How To Freeze Cooked Grits
When it comes to cooked grits, you can freeze them in a freezer bag or an airtight container for large portions. If you have smaller portions, you can freeze them as ice cubes.
Freezing Cooked Grits In Large Portions
Step 1: Divide the cooked grits into portions. If you’re planning to use the grits in large amounts, freeze them in a large freezer bag or container. For smaller meals, freeze them in smaller containers or bags.
Step 2: Place the grits into the freezer bag or container. Leave a small amount of space at the top to allow the grits to expand during freezing.
Step 3: For freezer bags, press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing. If you’re using an airtight container, secure the lid to the container tightly.
Step 4: Label the bag or container with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
Freezing Cooked Grits In Ice Cubes
Step 1: Get out the ice cube tray and clean them thoroughly.
Step 2: Pour the grits into the ice cube tray. Fill each slot, but leave a small amount of space at the top. This will allow the grits to expand a little during freezing.
Step 3: Place the tray of grits into the freezer. Let it sit for about 1-2 hours to freeze.
Step 4: Once completely frozen, remove them from the freezer.
Step 5: Transfer the grit cubes to the freezer bag. You can also use an airtight container to store them as well.
Step 6: Press on the bag to remove any excess air before sealing it.
Step 7: Label the bag with the date of freezing and place it into the freezer.
How Long Can You Freeze Cooked Grits?
The shelf life of cooked grits can last up to 4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Cooked grits can last long as they are fully cooked and kept at low temperatures. Due to the low moisture, it has a lesser chance of getting freezer burn.
How Do You Defrost Cooked Grits?
When it comes to cooked grits, thawing them will need to be done correctly. If not, you may end with the grits becoming chewy.
Here are two methods to defrost cooked grits:
One way to defrost cooked grits is by placing them in cold water or in ice water or by running very slowly under cold tap water and gradually raising the temperature as it runs off.
Place the grits in a bowl and add ice cold water to it. Swirl the grits around with your hands until they fully thaw out (about 10 minutes). Drain off any excess water in the bowl before adding them to your dish.
Another method is to spread them on a baking sheet and place it in a warm oven until they start to soften, then take them out and cool them before eating.
Can You Refreeze Cooked Grits?
It’s not recommended to refreeze cooked grits. Freezing them more than once will cause the quality of the grits to deteriorate even more.
To prevent having to refreeze cooked grits, try to freeze them as ice cubes. This way, it will help prevent any leftovers since you can control how much you need to remove from the freezer.
Other Questions about Cooked Grits
Can you freeze cooked cheese grits?
Yes, you can freeze cooked cheese grits and it can be a great way to store food in the freezer.
When storing cooked cheese grits, make sure it’s in an airtight container because the moisture from the milk and butter can cause it to spoil quickly if it’s not properly sealed.