Definition

Noun (plural, treated as singular or plural) 1. A porridge made from coarsely ground corn: A hot breakfast dish, particularly popular in the Southern United States, prepared by boiling ground, dried corn (hominy) until it reaches a thick, creamy or porridge-like consistency.

Usage

• Grits is a plural noun that refers to the dish as a whole. It can be used with a singular or plural verb, though a singular verb is more common when referring to the dish as a single food item.
  • Grits is a staple of Southern cuisine.
  • These grits are delicious.
• It is typically served as a savory dish, often with butter, cheese, shrimp, or gravy.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "Stone-ground grits": Refers to grits ground between traditional millstones, which are often considered to have a superior texture and flavor compared to mass-produced varieties.
  • The restaurant prides itself on using authentic stone-ground grits.

Variants and Related Words

• Hominy grits: Another name for grits, specifying that they are made from hominy (corn treated with an alkali).
• Grit (singular noun): Small, loose particles of stone or sand; also, courage and resolve. (Note: This is a different word with a different meaning).
  • There was grit in the spinach, so I had to wash it again.
  • It takes real grit to finish a marathon.

Synonyms

• Polenta: An Italian dish also made from boiled cornmeal, though typically from a different variety of corn and often of a finer grind.
• Mush: A general term for a soft, thick porridge.

Related Phrases

• "Shrimp and grits": A classic Southern dish consisting of grits served with a sautéed shrimp preparation.
  • Charleston is famous for its shrimp and grits.

Noun

1. coarsely ground hulled corn boiled as a breakfast dish in the southern United States