Grits is a dish of coarsely ground maize that is boiled with water or milk. Of course, there are plenty of ways to jazz them up and make them into a delicious dish.
Use grits as the base of your breakfast bowl, add cheese, serve with shrimp, simply pour gravy over the grits, make parmesan grits cakes, or make them into wedges and fry. However, perhaps you lead a busy life and need quick and easy midweek meals, or maybe, you have made too many grits.
Is it possible to freeze grits so that you can enjoy them at a later date? The answer is yes, and in this article, we will tell you how to freeze grits and how to defrost them.
How To Freeze Grits
It is possible to freeze both uncooked grits and cooked grits.
How To Freeze Uncooked Grits
If you have an unopened box of grits, it can last in the kitchen cupboard for years. However, if you have opened a packet of grits and plan to use it slowly, it is better to freeze it. Do this within three months of opening. This is how to freeze uncooked grits.
1. Put the grits in freezer bags or airtight containers.
Divide the grits into meal-size portions and put them in airtight containers or freezer bags. In this way, you will only defrost as much as you need for a meal. Squeeze all the air out of the freezer bags if you are using them. This prevents freezer burn which can ruin the taste and texture of your food, as well as strip it of its nutrients. Put a label on the bags or containers with the date and contents.
2. Put the containers or bags in the freezer.
How To Freeze Cooked Grits
1. Make the grits according to your favorite recipe.
Cheese grits are great for freezing.
2. Cool down the grits to room temperature.
You don’t want to put the grits in the freezer while they are still warm as they may bring up the temperature. Other food in the freezer may start to defrost and can spoil.
3. Spread out the grits on a greased baking tray.
Cover the baking tray with aluminum foil and put a label on it with the date and contents. You don’t want to keep the grits in the freezer for longer than they should be as the grits will start to spoil and will be inedible. At worst, they might make you sick.
4. Put the baking tray in the freezer.
Tips For Freezing Grits
- If you are freezing uncooked grits, make sure that the container is airtight. If you are using a freezer bag, make sure that you squeeze out all the air to prevent freezer burn.
- If, when you take out your grits from the freezer, the color or smell has changed, the chances are high that they have gone off so throw them away.
- If you want to freeze a grits dish, try freezing it in a greased muffin tin so that you get smaller portions. In this way, you will only defrost as much as you need for the meal and won’t waste any. It is a good idea to take the muffin tin out of the freezer once the grits have frozen and wrap each individually in cling film. Then put them in a freezer bag and put them back in the freezer. In this way, they won’t stick together.
For How Long Can You Keep Grits In The Freezer?
Cooked grits will last for two to three months in the freezer while uncooked grits can last for years.
How Do You Defrost Grits?
If you want to defrost uncooked grits, take them out of the freezer and allow them to thaw at room temperature. It will only take a couple of hours. It is important that you don’t open the container or freezer bag otherwise moisture produced by the container or bag might get into the grits. If you don’t do this, the grits will taste just as they would if they were fresh.
When it comes to defrosting cooked grits, take them out of the freezer and put them in the fridge. Leave them to thaw overnight. When you want to heat them, put them in an oven that is set at 350F and heat until the internal temperature is 165F.
Can You Refreeze Grits?
As with most food, we don’t recommend that you refreeze grits as it will ruin the taste and texture. Ice crystals will be formed and when the grits are defrosted, they will become soggy.
The best thing to do is to freeze the grits in meal-size portions so that you only defrost as much as you need. Use the muffin tin method or, if you think you will only need a little, you can freeze the grits in an ice cube tray.
Is It A Good Idea To Freeze Grits?
Both uncooked grits and cooked grits do freeze well as long as you store them correctly. The most important thing to do is to make sure that they are airtight to prevent freezer burn.
Frequently Asked Questions
Hopefully, you now know all there is to know about freezing grits but in case you have further questions, we have answered a few here.
If you have cooked plain grits, they will be good in the fridge for up to a week. However, if you have added other ingredients, they may only last for up to five days. If you notice a change in color or smell, throw them away.
Hominy is very similar to grits. It is corn kernels that have been soaked in a mineral lime bath. It is commonly used in Mexican cookery. You can freeze it and you can use the same method as for freezing grits.
Grits are a great source of vitamin B including folate, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and pyridoxine. They have a lot of antioxidants that help to protect against illnesses such as cancer.
