Southern Charred Sweet Corn Cheddar Grits with Soft Eggs

Grits have long anchored Southern breakfast tables, simmered low and slow until creamy. Here, charred sweet corn and sharp cheddar fold into stone-ground grits, crowned with soft eggs for a weeknight-friendly comfort bowl.

Serves 4 · 15 min prep · 25 min cook

Estimate for one serving

• 485 cal
• 22g protein
• 42g carbs
• 26g fat

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Ingredients

• 3 fresh sweet corn ears
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 cups water
• 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 4 large eggs
• 4 scallions
• 1.25 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp hot sauce

Instructions

1. 1Shuck the corn and cut the kernels from the cobs into a bowl, scraping the cobs to release the milky juices. Heat a large dry cast-iron skillet over high heat until smoking hot.
2. 2Add the corn kernels in a single layer and char without stirring for 2 minutes until deeply browned in spots, then toss and char another 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer half the corn to a plate and leave the rest in the skillet off heat.
3. 3In a medium saucepan bring the milk and water to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the grits in a slow stream, reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring often, until thick and creamy, 12 to 15 minutes.
4. 4Stir the butter, most of the cheddar, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika into the finished grits until melted and smooth. Fold in the reserved charred corn from the plate.
5. 5Return the skillet with remaining corn to medium heat. Crack the eggs into the pan the corn and cook sunny-side up until whites are set but yolks still jiggle, 3 to 4 minutes. Cover briefly if needed to finish the whites.
6. 6Thinly slice the scallions, separating whites and greens. Taste the grits and adjust seasoning.
7. 7Spoon the hot cheddar grits into four bowls. Top each with a soft egg, the skillet corn, remaining cheddar, scallion greens, and a few dashes of hot sauce.
8. 8Serve immediately so the egg yolk can run into the grits, creating a rich sauce. Offer extra hot sauce at the table for heat lovers.