Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits are rich, creamy, buttery, and of course, cheesy. This low carb and keto-friendly grits alternative is equally as flavorful as traditional grits but with only 5 net carbs per serving.

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (1)

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I first made this Cheesy Cauliflower Grits recipe to go along with spicy shrimp in my recipe for Keto Cajun Shrimp and Grits. Since then, I can’t even tell you how many more times I’ve made it.

The secret to getting this recipe as close to real grits as possible is all in the texture. I won’t try to lead you on about the flavor. It’s made with cauliflower, and while cauliflower can take on a lot of flavor, there will always be a bit of cauliflower’s natural taste in the mix, as well.

If you don’t absolutely despise cauliflower and love the buttery, cheesy texture of traditional grits, you will love this recipe!

Why This Recipe Works

This keto grits recipe is really quick and easy to make. You can enjoy it at breakfast, lunch, or dinner time.

It’s a kid friendly recipe and a great way to get them to eat more vegetables too. The texture is very similar to classic grits. The heavy cream and butter add richness and the cheese brings tons of flavor.

This recipe is low carb, keto friendly, and gluten free. There are just 5 net carbs per serving.

How To Make Cheesy Cauliflower Grits

Ingredients

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (2)

  • 1 large head of cauliflower, riced super-fine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.

Prep!

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (3)

Rice the cauliflower super fine. Usually I would use a food processor to rice cauliflower, but to get it super fine, I use a blender and work in 2 batches. It’s okay if it clumps – it will break up when cooking.

Shred the cheddar cheese from a block to avoid added starches in pre-shredded bagged cheese.

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (4)

Chef’s Tip:you want the cauliflower to be riced super fine. It shouldn’t be as coarse as cauliflower rice, but it also shouldn’t be as creamy asmashed cauliflower– otherwise you may as just call it cheesy mashed cauliflower. You want a little texture there to resemble the same texture as classic grits.

Create!

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (5)

Add the cauliflower, salt, pepper, heavy cream, and butter to a large sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The mixture should be fairly thick.

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (6)

Cook, stirring often, until the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.

Present!

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (7)

Serve the grits topped with extra cheese and butter, if desired.

Tips and Techniques

  • Make sure to rice the cauliflower super fine.It shouldn’t be as coarse as cauliflower rice, but it also shouldn’t be as creamy as mashed cauliflower. You want a little texture there to resemble the same texture as classic grits.
  • You can use Parmesan cheese in place of cheddar cheese, if preferred.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Use within 3 days.

FAQ’s

Can You Eat Grits On A Keto Diet?

Traditional grits made with boiled cornmeal or hominy are way too high in carbohydrates to be able to consume on a keto diets.

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Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (8)

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice

Cheesy Broccoli Cauliflower Rice is an easy-to-make low carb side dish. Made with riced cauliflower, broccoli, and plenty of cheddar cheese, this rich and creamy recipe is also naturally gluten free.

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Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (9)

Cheesy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

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Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (10)

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Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (11)

Print

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits are rich, creamy, buttery, and of course, cheesy. This low carb and keto-friendly grits alternative is equally as flavorful as traditional grits but with only 5 net carbs per serving.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American, Gluten Free, Low Carb

Diet Diabetic, Gluten Free

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 15 minutes minutes

Total Time 25 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Calories 370kcal

Author Lauren Harris

Ingredients

  • 1 head cauliflower (riced super fine, about 4 cups)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

Instructions

  • Add the riced cauliflower, salt, pepper, heavy cream, and butter to a large sauce pan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The mixture will be fairly thick.

    1 head cauliflower, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (12)

  • Cook, stirring often, until the cauliflower is tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheese.

    1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (13)

  • Serve the grits topped with extra cheese and butter, if desired.

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (14)

Notes

Tips and Techniques

  • Make sure to rice the cauliflower super fine.It shouldn’t be as coarse as cauliflower rice, but it also shouldn’t be as creamy as mashed cauliflower. You want a little texture there to resemble the same texture as classic grits.
  • You can use Parmesan cheese in place of cheddar cheese, if preferred.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.Use within 3 days.

** Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 35g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Cholesterol: 119mg | Sodium: 519mg | Potassium: 371mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1245IU | Vitamin C: 49mg | Calcium: 264mg | Iron: 1mg

Cheesy Cauliflower Grits Recipe (Keto & Gluten Free) - Delicious Little Bites (2024)

FAQs

What are keto grits made of? ›

Most keto grits recipes use cauliflower as a replacement for cornmeal. Unfortunately, cauliflower grits don't taste like real grits. It tastes like cheesy cauli rice. Using lupin meal instead will be your go-to recipe for grits instead of cauliflower grits.

Do cheese grits have carbs? ›

Grits are made from corn, a starchy vegetable, and are thus high in carbs.

What are the healthiest grits to eat? ›

Stone-ground grits

They qualify as whole grains because the entire kernel is ground without further processing, leaving the germ and hull in the final product. They cook the slowest and spoil the quickest. You can make them last longer by putting them in the freezer.

Are grits bad carbs? ›

Because grits have a high carb content, they can spike blood sugar levels. So, if you're diabetic, you need to eat them in moderation. You should also pair them with lean proteins and non-starchy veggies for a balanced meal.

How many carbs should I eat if I want to lose weight? ›

Experts say you should aim to burn 500 calories more than what you eat each day. As far as how many carbohydrates to eat, Pratt says 100 to 150 grams of carbohydrates is safe for most people who are trying to lose weight. It may be better for some people to eat carbs consistently throughout the day.

Are cheese grits healthy for weight loss? ›

Grits alone are not high in fat, but they often have butter, oil, or cheese added, adding a significant amount of saturated fat and calories. Be mindful of the preparation method and choose a variety of lower-calorie items like vegetables and fruit to serve with them.

Which has less carbs rice or grits? ›

Grits, like all whole grains, have three main components in their kernels: the hull, germ, and inner starch. Corn has more sugars and protein, but rice is higher in calories and carbohydrates because of its starch content.

What is a good replacement for grits? ›

You can use cornmeal as a substitute for grits in some recipes, but the texture may be different. It's best to adjust cooking times and liquid ratios accordingly to achieve a similar consistency. Keep in mind that the final result might vary slightly due to the differences in coarseness.

What is a replacement for grits? ›

Since polenta and grits are both made from ground corn, you can use them interchangeably. Bear in mind that grits are higher in starch than polenta, so if you sub in polenta for grits, you won't have to stir it as frequently, but it won't cook up as creamy as grits.

What is the main ingredient in grits? ›

Grits are made from ground corn, typically from less sweet, starchy varieties often referred to as dent corn. Grits can be made from either yellow or white corn and are often labeled accordingly.

What are the three types of grits? ›

Use this guide to grits to help you with the different choices.
  • Hominy: Dried white or yellow corn kernels from which the hull and germ have been removed. ...
  • Whole-ground or stone-ground grits: These grits are a coarse grind. ...
  • Quick and regular grits: The only difference between these types is in granulation.
Jan 21, 2017

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