If you have ever stood over a stovetop at 7 a.m., stirring grits and watching the clock, you already know the appeal of crockpot grits. Dump the ingredients the night before, set the timer, and wake up to a pot of creamy, ready-to-serve Southern comfort food. The key is pairing a reliable slow cooker with a well-tested recipe - and that is exactly what this guide covers.
Whether you are feeding a Sunday brunch crowd or meal-prepping a week of breakfasts, the right slow cooker and a good cookbook make crockpot grits genuinely foolproof.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Type | Best For | Est. Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook | Recipe Book | All-level cooks | ~$60-150 |
| The Complete Slow Cooker (ATK) | Recipe Book | Tested precision | ~$60-150 |
| Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable | Slow Cooker | Overnight cooking | ~$60-150 |
| Hamilton Beach 7-Qt | Slow Cooker | Large batches | ~$30-60 |
| Slow Cooker Revolution (ATK) | Recipe Book | Weekend warriors | ~$60-150 |
1. Fix-It and Forget-It Big Cookbook
The Fix-It and Forget-It series is the gold standard of slow cooker recipe books, and the Big Cookbook includes several tested grits variations - plain stone-ground, cheesy grits casserole, and a shrimp-and-grits base. The instructions are written for real home cooks: no ambiguous temperatures, no fancy techniques. If you want a no-fail crockpot grits reference you will actually use, this is it.
2. The Complete Slow Cooker by America’s Test Kitchen
America’s Test Kitchen put hundreds of slow cooker recipes through rigorous testing before a single one made it into this book. The grits chapter covers liquid ratios, insert prep, and timing adjustments for different slow cooker wattages - details most books skip entirely. If you have had grits turn watery or gluey in a crockpot before, ATK’s approach solves the problem.
3. Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
For overnight crockpot grits, you need a programmable unit with an auto-warm function. The Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable is the go-to for a reason: it holds temperature within a tight range, the digital timer goes up to 20 hours, and the auto-warm keeps grits at serving temperature without overcooking. The oval insert is also wide enough to stir in butter and cream cheese right before serving without splashing.
4. Hamilton Beach 7-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker
If you regularly cook for six or more people, the Hamilton Beach 7-Qt is worth the extra capacity. It runs a bit cooler than some competitors on the “low” setting, which is actually ideal for grits - lower heat means a longer, more even hydration of the grain without the risk of scorching the bottom. The clip-tight lid makes it portable for brunch potlucks.
5. Slow Cooker Revolution by America’s Test Kitchen
A companion to The Complete Slow Cooker, this book leans into unexpected slow cooker applications - including a well-developed cheesy grits recipe that doubles as a side dish base for braised pork or roasted shrimp. The recipe notes explain exactly why certain steps matter, so you understand the process rather than just following steps blindly.
What to Look For
In a slow cooker for grits: You want a programmable model with auto-warm, not a simple dial cooker. The auto-warm function is critical for overnight cooking - without it, grits continue to cook after the timer ends and can turn thick and pasty. A 6-quart oval insert is the sweet spot for most households; it gives you enough room for stirring without wasting space on smaller batches.
In a recipe book: Look for books that include tested liquid ratios and timing for different grain types (quick-cook grits behave very differently from stone-ground). ATK books specify both, which eliminates the most common failure points. Fix-It and Forget-It is better for cooks who want variety and simplicity over scientific precision.
Stone-ground vs. quick-cook grits: Stone-ground grits are coarser and take 6-8 hours on low, making them genuinely perfect for slow cookers. Quick-cook grits can turn to glue if left too long - they are better suited for stovetop. If you are using a slow cooker, buy stone-ground grits.
Final Thoughts
Crockpot grits are one of the easiest wins in slow cooker cooking - minimal prep, minimal cleanup, and a result that tastes like you spent the morning in the kitchen. The Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable is the top slow cooker pick for this purpose, and Fix-It and Forget-It or any ATK slow cooker book will give you reliable recipes to build from. Pick the combination that fits your household size and cooking style, and you will have creamy grits on the table with almost zero effort.
Frequently asked questions
Can you really make grits in a slow cooker?+
Absolutely. Slow cooker grits are actually superior to stovetop versions in many ways. The low, steady heat prevents scorching and eliminates the need for constant stirring. Most recipes call for a 6-8 hour cook on low, and you wake up to perfectly creamy, smooth grits with almost zero active effort.
What is the grits-to-liquid ratio in a crockpot?+
A common starting ratio is 1 cup of stone-ground grits to 4 cups of liquid (water, broth, or a mix with milk). Stir in butter and cream cheese at the end for extra richness. The Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook and ATK's Slow Cooker Revolution both include tested ratios that eliminate guesswork.
How do I prevent crockpot grits from sticking to the bottom?+
Use a programmable slow cooker that automatically shifts to warm when cooking time ends - this prevents overcooking and sticking. Spraying the insert lightly with cooking spray also helps. Hamilton Beach 7-Qt and the Crock-Pot 6-Quart Programmable both offer auto-warm features ideal for overnight grits.