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

Cheesy Buffalo Cauliflower Bites are covered in spicy Buffalo sauce and melted sharp cheddar cheese. This easy recipe can be enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or side dish.

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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

How many carbs are in keto grits? ›

Nutritional information & Macros
Amount Per Serving
Fat32.8g
Protein13.8g
Total Carbs11.1g
Net Carbs3.1g
1 more row

Is cauliflower low carb keto? ›

Cauliflower is the ultimate low carb vegetable — and yes, cauliflower is keto! One cup of florets has 5.3 grams of net carbs. You can replace so many starchy foods with cauliflower, especially potatoes, rice and savory baked goods. (See the other veggies you can eat on keto in the low carb food list.)

Are grits bad for a low carb diet? ›

Additionally, individuals following a low carb diet like a ketogenic diet will also want to avoid grits as the number of carbs in one serving is typically over the recommended daily amount.

How many carbs a day to lose weight? ›

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. “You can also break it up evenly with 40 to 50 grams of carbs per meal,” she says.

Can too much cauliflower kick you out of ketosis? ›

You do not have to limit vegetables if you are on the keto diet or are considering it. Plenty of low-carb vegetable options include arugula, asparagus, bell peppers, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, mushrooms, spinach, and tomatoes.

How many carbs per day on keto? ›

On the keto diet, you are allowed to have no more than 50 grams of net carbs per day – and the fewer, the better! But by focusing on “net” rather than “total” carbs, you won't be denying your body the essential fiber it needs for proper function.

Can I eat unlimited cauliflower keto? ›

The Harvard School of Public Health recommends that people eat no more than 50 grams of carbohydrates per day while on a keto diet. You can eat up to 900 grams of cauliflower per day when on a ketogenic diet because 100 grams of it only contains 5 grams of carbohydrates.

How many carbs are in 2 cups of cooked grits? ›

Grits are made from corn, a starchy vegetable, and are thus high in carbs. One cup (242 grams) of cooked grits packs 24 grams of carbs ( 1 ).

Can you eat grits or oatmeal on keto? ›

Traditional grits are high in carbohydrates and not suitable for a keto diet. However, there are low-carb alternatives like cauliflower grits or almond flour-based versions that can be enjoyed in moderation while following a ketogenic eating plan. Are grits and polenta the same?

How many carbs are in 1 cup of Quaker grits? ›

Cereals, QUAKER, hominy grits, white, quick, dry, 1 cup
Protein (g)3.16
Carbohydrate, by difference (g)29.29
Energy (kcal)128.39
Sugars, total (g)0.37
Fiber, total dietary (g)1.78
25 more rows

How many net carbs are in a cup of cooked grits? ›

Grits, Cooked, Corn Or Hominy, Instant, Fat Added In Cooking (1 cup, cooked) contains 33.8g total carbs, 31.9g net carbs, 13g fat, 3.3g protein, and 267 calories.

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