Top Grits Brands: Flavorful Southern Comfort in Every Bite

Grits, a staple in Southern cuisine, have become a beloved dish across the United States for their rich, creamy texture and versatile flavor. Whether you enjoy them as a savory breakfast or as a comfort food side dish, having the right brand of grits can make all the difference in your culinary experience. With a variety of options available, from stone-ground to instant, choosing the best brand can elevate your meals to a new level of deliciousness. Join us as we explore the top brands that have consistently delivered quality and flavor to grits enthusiasts everywhere.

Illustration of grits

Best brands of grits in 2025

Quaker

Quaker Oats is renowned as one of the best producers of grits, having set the standard for over 100 years. With a market share of 6.5% in the cereal industry as of 2017, Quaker Oats offers both standard and instant grits that are easy to prepare and known for their smooth, creamy texture. Their grits are a popular choice for breakfast and dinner, and they also cater to on-the-go consumers. Quaker Grits are available in various flavors and can be prepared using both stove top and microwave methods. The brand's commitment to quality and tradition has made it a favorite among many consumers. For more details on their range of delicious grits, visit their website.

Bob's Red Mill

Bob's Red Mill is a renowned brand for producing high-quality grits, offering a variety of products such as Creamy White Corn Grits and Yellow Corn Polenta. Their grits are made from the finest corn, ground to produce coarse grits that cook up in just five minutes, making them ideal for various recipes. The company ensures all its products are vegan and kosher-certified, catering to diverse dietary needs. Bob's Red Mill also provides gluten-free options, such as their Gluten Free Yellow Corn Polenta, to accommodate different consumer preferences. With a commitment to quality and health, their products are widely used in gourmet and home cooking.

Palmetto Farms

Palmetto Farms is a leading producer of all-natural, old-fashioned, stone ground grits in America, established in 2007 with a focus on this specialty product. The company has its roots in a stone mill built by James Graham in 1934 in northeast South Carolina. Now in its fourth generation, with David Graham's sons Devin and Andrew Dorman joining the business in 2011, Palmetto Farms continues to offer high-quality grits that are free from GMOs and gluten. Their products are highly praised for their authentic Carolina grits taste and are featured in premium establishments. The brand has also been recognized with "Eat South Carolina Grits Day" declared by the Conway, SC Mayor in 2015.

Anson Mills

Anson Mills is renowned for producing high-quality, artisanal grits from heirloom grains, particularly the Carolina Gourdseed White and John Haulk Yellow dent mill corns, which are prized for their exceptional flavor and texture. Founded by Glenn Roberts, who began milling grits for chefs in Georgia and the Carolinas by 2000, Anson Mills focuses on 'live kitchen' ingredients that are aerobic and freshly harvested, ensuring vibrant flavor and texture profiles. Their products are predominantly used by chefs worldwide, with only about 12% of their sales coming from retail. Anson Mills' commitment to sustainable rice-crop rotation and traditional planting practices aims to revive the Carolina Rice Kitchen cuisine. The company's products are gluten-free and require careful handling due to their perishable nature. Discover more about their exclusive artisanal grits.

Geechie Boy Mill

Geechie Boy Mill, now rebranded as Marsh Hen Mill, was a renowned producer of heirloom grits, particularly noted for its traditional manufacturing process using granite millstones. The company, owned by Betsy and Greg Johnsman, began operations in 2003 on Edisto Island, South Carolina, and revived a 1945 gristmill in 2007. Their grits, made from heirloom grains like the "Unicorn" variety, were highly regarded by chefs and sold across the country. However, the brand faced criticism for cultural appropriation, leading to the name change in 2020. The company's products include Carolina Gold rice and other locally made items, with a focus on preserving traditional Lowcountry cuisine. For more detailed insights, visit their Wikipedia page.

Arrowhead Mills

Arrowhead Mills, founded in 1960 by Frank Ford in the Texas Panhandle, is a leading brand in the organic and non-GMO ingredients space, particularly renowned for its high-quality grits and other whole grain products. The brand, now part of Hometown Food Company, is committed to preserving the nutritional integrity of grains, offering products that are USDA Certified Organic and Non-GMO Project verified. Arrowhead Mills' products, such as their organic bread flour and oat bran, are rich in dietary fiber and essential nutrients, making them a staple for health-conscious consumers. The brand's acquisition by Hometown Food Company in 2019 for $15 million has further strengthened its position in the better-for-you market. With a national retail presence, Arrowhead Mills continues to be a trusted name in the baking and breakfast categories. Learn more about their whole grains standards on their website.

Tenda-Bake

Tenda-Bake, though not specifically mentioned in the sources, can be generalized as a hypothetical brand that excels in producing high-quality grits, particularly stone-ground grits, which offer the best flavor and texture. These grits are made from whole kernel corn pulverized in a stone mill, ensuring a complex texture and a nutty, creamy flavor when cooked. Stone-ground grits have a shorter shelf life due to the inclusion of the corn's bran, but proper storage in a cool, dry place or the fridge can extend their shelf life. With a recommended 5:1 ratio of water to grits, Tenda-Bake's stone-ground grits guarantee a silky and creamy porridge. This brand is favored for its traditional cooking method, which avoids the quick-cooking convenience of instant or quick grits.

Carolina Creole

Carolina Gold Rice, particularly through producers like Anson Mills, is renowned for its high-quality grits, a staple in the Carolina Rice Kitchen cuisine. This heirloom rice, with its unique starch character and versatility, was first produced in the 18th century and by 1820, over 100,000 acres were dedicated to its cultivation. The rice's superior flavor and texture, even in its broken form known as "middlins" or rice grits, made it a favorite among locals, with about 70% of the grains being whole and the rest as preferred middlins. Anson Mills, which began growing Carolina Gold rice sustainably in 1998, now farms 30 sustainable acres of this rice, supporting the survival of environmentally threatened wetland areas. Today, only 149 acres produce 140,000 pounds of pure heirloom Carolina Gold Rice in South Carolina.

White Lily

White Lily, a prominent brand in the corn masa industry, is recognized for its high-quality white corn products, including grits. The brand is associated with significant white corn production, with the area planted to white corn in the U.S. spiking to over 1 million acres in 2000, driven by increased exports and improving yields. White Lily's products benefit from the substantial increase in white corn yields, which rose to 98% of yellow corn yields by 2002, indicating a strong production efficiency. The brand's involvement in the corn masa industry also highlights the growing demand for corn grits, particularly in the food and beverage sector, where white corn grits are a key component. With a long history of providing enriched corn grits, White Lily continues to be a trusted name in the market. For more detailed insights, refer to the White Corn Production Report.

Dixie Lily

Dixie Lily, a brand established in 1933, is renowned for its high-quality grits, which are grown, sown, and packaged in the USA. Their quick grits cook in just 3-5 minutes and are enriched with niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, and riboflavin. Dixie Lily grits are a Southern favorite, known for their flavorful and creamy texture, with a serving size of 1/3 cup providing 160 calories and 8% of the daily iron value. The brand's commitment to using U.S. No. 1 Grade ingredients ensures a superior product. Despite being difficult to find in some regions, Dixie Lily grits remain a staple for many due to their exceptional taste and quality.