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 Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

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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.

Why does my cauliflower cheese sauce separate? ›

Cook your cauliflower cheese at the right temperature, otherwise your cheese sauce can split. If your cheese sauce splits before that, it can be down to leaving it out too long, or you've boiled the sauce. If this happens, add a splash of milk or cream and whisk vigorously and it should come back to life.

Are grits a good or bad carb? ›

Grits are a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing energy to your body. They are also a good source of fiber, which can help to regulate digestion and promote a healthy gut. Grits are low in fat and cholesterol, making them heart-healthy food choices.

What are the healthiest grits to eat? ›

Stone-ground grits

Sometimes known as old-fashioned grits, these grits are the most nutrient-dense and high in fiber. They qualify as whole grains because the entire kernel is ground without further processing, leaving the germ and hull in the final product.

Why does cauliflower cheese upset my stomach? ›

The culprit behind the stomachaches is cauliflower's fiber content, which becomes most troublesome when you increase your fiber intake too rapidly without giving your body time to adjust. Stomachaches join other side effects of overloading on fiber.

Why can't you reheat cauliflower cheese? ›

Can you reheat cauliflower cheese? Yes you can, and it will taste fine… But just be aware that it will dry out a little and the cauliflower will be a little bit softer… not a deal breaker, but definitely not as good as fresh! Simply place any leftover cauliflower in a lidded container and refrigerate.

How do you stop cauliflower cheese going watery? ›

Drain well

Make sure you drain the cauliflower really well after it's boiled up and before you add it to the dish, otherwise it will end up too watery.

What is a good replacement for grits? ›

I only like yellow grits — but most places don't sell them, so I use polenta. Which some people argue are the same. Polenta is great, but it can be a little more expensive. Then, I discovered Quaker cornmeal as a substitute.

What is a good substitute 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.

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