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    Home » Recipes

    May 5, 2022 · Modified: Jan 27, 2023 by Carita · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

    Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl

    This Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl includes traditional breakfast staples with a twist. Creamy cheese grits are topped with bacon, tomatoes, soft boiled eggs and kale topped with an irresistible, rich garlic butter sauce.

    If you enjoy breakfast or brunch, you must try my version of Spam Loco Moco, Mini New England Shrimp Rolls or Chorizo Breakfast Hash with Poblano Sauce!

    THE ULTIMATE SOUTHERN BREAKFAST BOWL

    The ultimate breakfast (brunch or dinner) bowl has arrived! As a true southerner, born and raised in Georgia, I have had my fair share of southern approved meals.

    With that said, this loaded grits and greens bowl certainly fits all criteria to stamp this dish southern, decadent and butter.

    Tan bowl of southern grits and greens bowl. Bowl filled with grits, tomato slices, bacon, kale and soft boiled egg. For styling purposes, garlic butter sauce is drizzled with chopped parsley as well as sliced oranges, a fork and a black and white kitchen towel.
    Southern Grits and Greens Bowl

    As mentioned, there are a few twists added that will set this recipe apart from others. Crunchy kale is sauteed in rendered bacon fat. Next, instead of traditional scrambled eggs, soft boiled eggs are added and lastly, the rich garlic butter sauce nestled on top really takes this bowl to the next level.

    WHAT ARE GRITS?

    Grits are similar to traditional porridge. In fact, grits are made from ground corn and are yellow or white in hue. Grits have a smooth but thick consistency, and the flavor is almost non-existent.

    To explain, like rice or pasta, grits take on whatever flavor is added to them. Butter, salt and cheese are just a few ways that grits can be flavored.

    Some will argue that grits are never served sweet and although this may be true, I admittedly have eaten and enjoyed sweet grits (sugar in my grits). To clarify, read more about the history of grits and why this dish is a southern staple, click here.

    SOUTHERN GRITS

    It is important to note that many will argue how to prepare the best southern style grits. In fact, most southerners will argue that real southern grits are cooked the old-fashioned way, low and slow.

    Traditional southern grits are cooked/boiled in water. In fact, butter is added for creaminess and salt and pepper for flavor.

    Furthermore, whether you have been introduced to savory or sweet grits, instant or old fashioned, this recipe will become a staple in your home!

    CHEESE GRITS INGREDIENTS

    Here are the ingredients needed to prepare the cheese grits in this recipe. While some of these items are non "traditional" above all, these ingredients will produce the best, creamy cheese grits for this recipe!

    Ingredients flay lay for southern creamy grits. Bowl of grits, mozzarella, chicken bouillon, butter, garlic, cream cheese and a measuring cup with water.
    Southern Grits and Greens Ingredients for Grits
    1. Grits- There is ton of speculation on the best grits to use. Instant grits are used in this recipe, here is the brand I use. Click here.
    2. Chicken Bouillon- You can find the brand I love here. This deeply flavors the grits!
    3. Water
    4. Cream Cheese
    5. Mozzarella
    6. Parmesan
    7. Garlic
    8. Butter (unsalted or salted is fine)

    ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

    The toppings are endless with building this southern grits and greens breakfast bowl. However, here are the items needed to make this recipe as pictured.

    1. Crumbled Bacon
    2. Chopped Kale
    3. Soft Boiled Eggs
    4. Thinly sliced Tomatoes
    Southern Grits and Greens ingredients of additional items. Flat lay of four brown eggs in a carton, two roma tomatoes, small white plate of chopped parsley, glass bowl of chopped bacon and glass bowl of kale.
    Grits and Greens Additional Ingredients

    GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE INGREDIENTS

    The butter sauce certainly sets this breakfast bowl apart from others. With this in mind, it is necessary to make this sauce. All in all, the garlic butter sauce provides additional flavors specifically to the grits, kale and eggs.

    Here are the ingredients you will need.

    Garlic butter sauce ingredients in a flat lay style. Two white plates with black spots are filled with chopped parsley and crushed red pepper flakes. A small glass bowl of butter, two lemon slices and garlic paste are added as well.
    Grits and Greens Garlic Butter Sauce Ingredients
    1. Salted Butter
    2. Lemon
    3. Garlic (garlic paste)
    4. Parsley
    5. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

    HOW TO PREPARE BREAKFAST BOWL

    SOUTHERN CHEESE GRITS

    • In a medium sized sauce pot, add two cups of water on medium to high heat. 
    • Whisk in the grits and bring to a soft boil. 
    • Add the butter, cream cheese, chicken bouillon and garlic. Whisk until combined. 
    Grits in a grey/black stock pot uncooked on a gas stove.
    Uncooked Grits
    • Allow grits to cook for three to five minutes, whisking constantly.
      1. Add up to ¼ cup of water at a time to maintain creamy texture and to prevent clumping.
    • Add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, stir and cover for five minutes. 
    • Allow grits to simmer on low heat continuing to whisk occasionally while preparing the remaining recipe.
    Cooked grits in a grey sauce pot cooked.
    Cooked grits in a grey sauce pot cooked.

    GARLIC BUTTER SAUCE

    • In a small saucepan on medium heat, add butter and melt. 
    • Stir in garlic and stir, being careful not to brown butter.
    Garlic butter sauce image collage. Top image with melting butter in a black cast iron skillet, bottom image is cooked garlic butter sauce in a white ramekin.
    Garlic Butter Sauce
    • Squeeze lemon juice, add red pepper flakes and stir. 
    • Keep garlic butter sauce on low heat until further use.

    SAUTEED KALE

    1. In a large saucepan on medium/high heat, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy. 
    2. Remove bacon from pan and drain on a paper towel. 
    3. Remove bacon fat except one tablespoon. 
    4. In the same pan with rendered bacon fat, add in kale and sauté for 1-2 minutes. 
    5. Pour in ¼-½ cup of water and continue to stir until kale is wilted.
    Cooked crumbled bacon draining on a blue and white towel.
    Cooked Crumble Bacon
    Sauteed kale in a black cast iron skillet.
    Sauteed Kale

    SOFT BOILED EGGS

    1. In a small sauce pot, add 2-4 eggs and fill the pot with water enough to cover the eggs. 
    2. Bring eggs to a boil. 
    3. When eggs begin to boil, remove from heat and cover for five minutes.
    4. Immediately remove eggs from the pot and place in an ice bath. 
    5. Peel and set aside until later use.
    Close up image of soft -boiled eggs and sauteed kale in a light tan bowl.
    Close up eggs and garlic butter sauce

    HOW TO ASSEMBLE

    1. In a bowl, pour in half of the cheese grits. 
    2. Drizzle grits with one teaspoon of garlic butter sauce. 
    3. Add crumbled bacon, sauteed kale, sliced tomatoes and soft-boiled eggs. 
    4. Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
    Soft boiled eggs and sauteed kale in focus of Southern Grits and Greens Bowl. Out of focus behind bowl is a glass of orange juice in a wine glass, small plate of crush red pepper flakes and a white bowl of grapes.
    Southern Grits + Greens Bowl

    TRY MY OTHER BOWLS!

    • Garlic Noodle Soup with Spicy Ground Pork
    • Dragon Roll Sushi Bowl
    • Philly Roll Sushi Bowl
    • Cajun Garlic Shrimp Noodle Bowls
    • Bacon Cheeseburger Salad Bowl
    Southern grits and greens bowl final product with added items for styling. A glass of orange juice in a wine glass, small ramekin style bowl filled with grapes, small plate of crush red pepper flakes and a black and white kitchen towel.
    Southern Grits + Green Bowl
    Southern grits and greens bowl with final shot. Out of focus for styling purposes, crushed red pepper flakes, white bowl of grapes and a glass of orange juice.

    Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl

    Carita
    This Southern Grits and Greens Breakfast Bowl includes traditional breakfast staples with a twist. Creamy cheese grits are topped with bacon, tomatoes, soft boiled eggs and kale topped with an irresistible, rich garlic butter sauce.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 25 mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American, Soul Food, Southern
    Servings 4 people

    Ingredients
      

    Southern Cheese Grits

    • 2 cups Water (+ more)
    • 1.5 cup Instant Grits
    • 2 tablespoon Butter (salted)
    • 1 tablespoon Chicken Bouillon Seasoning
    • 4 oz Cream Cheese
    • 1 tablespoon Garlic garlic paste
    • ½ cup Mozzarella Cheese
    • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese

    Garlic Butter Sauce

    • 4 tablespoon Butter
    • 1 teaspoon Garlic
    • 1 tablespoon Lemon Juice
    • 1 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
    • 1 tbsp Parsley roughly chopped

    Additional Ingredients

    • 6 oz Bacon roughly chopped
    • 2 cups Chopped Kale
    • ½ cup Water
    • 4 Eggs
    • 2 Roma Tomatoes
    • 1 tablespoon Parsley roughly chopped

    Instructions
     

    Cheese Grits

    • In a medium sized sauce pot, add two cups of water on medium to high heat.
    • Whisk in the grits and bring to a soft boil.
    • Add the butter, cream cheese, chicken bouillon and garlic. Whisk until combined.
    • Allow grits to cook for three to five minutes, whisking constantly.
    • Add up to ¼ cup of water at a time to maintain creamy texture and to prevent clumping.
    • Add mozzarella and parmesan cheese, stir and cover for five minutes.
    • Allow grits to simmer on low heat continuing to whisk occasionally while preparing the remaining recipe.

    Garlic Butter Sauce

    • In a small saucepan on medium heat, add butter and melt.
    • Stir in garlic and stir, being careful not to brown butter.
    • Squeeze lemon juice, add red pepper flakes and stir.
    • Keep garlic butter sauce on low heat until further use.

    Sauteed Kale

    • In a large saucepan on medium/high heat, add chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
    • Remove bacon from pan and drain on a paper towel.
    • Remove bacon fat except one tablespoon.
    • In the same pan with rendered bacon fat, add in kale and sauté for 1-2 minutes.
    • Pour in ¼-½ cup of water and continue to stir until kale is wilted.

    Soft Boiled Eggs

    • In a small sauce pot, add 2-4 eggs and fill the pot with water enough to cover the eggs.
    • Bring eggs to a boil.
    • When eggs begin to boil, remove from heat and cover for five minutes.
    • Immediately remove eggs from the pot and place in an ice bath.
    • Peel and set aside until later use.

    Assemble Southern Grits + Green Bowl

    • In a bowl, pour cheese grits.
    • Drizzle grits with one teaspoon of garlic butter sauce.
    • Add crumbled bacon, sauteed kale, sliced tomatoes and soft-boiled eggs.
    • Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy!
    Keyword Breakfast Bowl, Brunch Bowl, Southern Grits and Greens Bowl

    If you enjoy breakfast or brunch, you must try:

    Spam Loco Moco

    Spam Loco Moco Recipe plated on a white flat plate. Bed of sticky rice layered with brown gravy topped with two slices of spam topped with a sunny side up egg. Dark pink flowers, wooden bowls with sticky rice added for styling purposes as well as an opened can of Spam.
    Spam Loco Moco

    Mini New England Shrimp Rolls

    New England Mini Shrimp Rolls close up with otp bun off of roll. One Mini Shrimp Roll is in focus and surrounded by sporadic plain salted chips.
    New England Mini Shrimp Rolls

    Chorizo Breakfast Hash with Poblano Sauce

    Chorizo Breakfast Hash

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Lilly says

      May 18, 2022 at 3:30 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! This is going to be my new go-to breakfast dish! I couldn't get enough of this bowl. Thanks for the tips on making the best grits. The chicken bullion and mozzarella really elevated the flavor!!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Carita a true southern girl at heart. My love for cooking started as a child watching my grandmothers cook with such ease in the kitchen. Creating delicious meals doesn't always require hours in the kitchen. I have taken all that I've learned and work to develop simplified versions of staple recipes for you to share with family and friends!

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