Can You Cook Grits in a Rice Cooker? Ratio, Time and Steps
Yes, even in a basic rice cooker with only a Cook switch. Aroma’s recipe uses ½ cup old-fashioned grits with about 2⅓ cups of liquid (broth and milk) plus butter, cooked for about 15 to 17 minutes with the lid on, stirring now and then.
Stir in cheese at the end, then switch to Warm. Grits thicken as they stand, so add a splash of hot liquid before serving if needed.
- Use about 4 to 5 parts liquid to 1 part grits, measured with a standard cup.
- Grits need stirring a few times, or they form lumps and stick to the bottom.
- Do not fill the pot more than halfway. Grits bubble up as they thicken.
- Old-fashioned grits suit a rice cooker best. Stone-ground grits need much longer.
- Instant grits only need hot water, so a rice cooker is not worth it.
Can you cook grits in a rice cooker?
Yes. A rice cooker heats liquid to a simmer, which is all grits need. Aroma, the rice cooker brand, publishes a shrimp and grits recipe that cooks the grits in its rice cooker using the regular Cook switch.
Unlike rice, grits do not cook hands-free. They are a fine cornmeal that thickens into porridge, so you need to stir them a few times to stop lumps and sticking. Think of the rice cooker as a gentle, contained pot.
Grits to water ratio for a rice cooker
| Grits | Liquid | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ½ cup old-fashioned | 2⅓ cups (Aroma: 1⅓ cups broth + 1 cup milk) | Creamy, about 4 servings as a side |
| ½ cup old-fashioned | 2 cups water or broth | Thicker grits |
| 1 cup old-fashioned | 4 to 4½ cups | A family-size batch; needs a 5-cup or larger cooker |
| Quick (5-minute) grits | Follow the package, usually about 4 parts liquid | Done in about 5 to 10 minutes |
Measure with a standard US measuring cup, not the small rice cooker cup. Water lines in the pot are made for rice and will not work for grits.
How to cook grits in a rice cooker
- Add everything. Put the grits, liquid, butter, salt and pepper in the inner pot. Whisk well to break up any clumps.
- Start cooking. Close the lid and press Cook (or White Rice on a digital cooker).
- Stir. Every 5 minutes, open the lid and stir, scraping the bottom. Close the lid again.
- Cook until thick. Old-fashioned grits take about 15 to 17 minutes in Aroma’s recipe, until creamy and tender.
- Add cheese. Stir in shredded cheddar until melted.
- Switch to Warm. If your cooker has not switched itself, set it to Warm. Grits will keep thickening, so loosen them with hot milk or broth before serving.
Basic cookers turn to Warm when the bottom gets hotter than boiling. With thick grits, this can happen before they are fully cooked. If that happens, stir, wait a minute, and press Cook again until the grits are tender.
Types of grits and how they behave
| Type | Rice cooker? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Instant | Not needed | Just add boiling water |
| Quick (5-minute) | Yes | Very fast; watch for sticking |
| Old-fashioned (regular) | Best choice | About 15 to 20 minutes with stirring |
| Stone-ground | Possible on Porridge setting | Can take 45 minutes or more; needs more liquid |
Which setting to use
- Basic cookers (Cook/Warm only): use Cook and stir often. This works, as Aroma’s recipe shows.
- Digital cookers: Porridge is ideal for stone-ground grits. For old-fashioned grits, White Rice or Quick works.
- Multi-cookers: a Sauté or Simmer setting with the lid off gives the most control.
Flavor ideas
- Cheese grits: cheddar, butter and black pepper.
- Shrimp and grits: top with Cajun-spiced shrimp, bacon and green onions, as in Aroma’s recipe.
- Breakfast grits: serve with a fried egg and hot sauce.
- Sweet grits: cook in milk and finish with butter, sugar and cinnamon.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Lumpy | Whisk grits into cold liquid before heating; stir often |
| Stuck to the bottom | Stir every 5 minutes; add butter; soak the pot straight away |
| Boils over | Make a smaller batch; keep the pot under half full |
| Too thick | Stir in hot milk or broth a little at a time |
| Gritty | Cook longer with a splash more liquid |
Frequently asked questions
Can you cook grits in a rice cooker that only has a Cook setting?
Yes. Aroma’s recipe uses the Cook switch on a basic rice cooker. Stir every few minutes, and press Cook again if it switches to Warm before the grits are tender.
What is the water ratio for grits in a rice cooker?
About 4 to 5 parts liquid to 1 part grits. Aroma uses ½ cup grits with 1⅓ cups broth and 1 cup milk.
How long do grits take in a rice cooker?
About 15 to 17 minutes for old-fashioned grits in Aroma’s recipe. Quick grits take less time; stone-ground grits take much longer.
Can I make grits in a Chefman, KitchenAid or Cosori rice cooker?
Yes, the method is the same. If your cooker has a Porridge or Hot Cereal setting, use it; otherwise use White Rice and stir often.
The bottom line
Grits cook well in a rice cooker if you stir them. Use about 4 to 5 parts liquid to 1 part old-fashioned grits, cook for around 15 to 17 minutes, stir in cheese and keep warm.
- Aroma Housewares, Shrimp and Grits (rice cooker grits method).
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