Grits is oatmeal made from boiled corn. There could be either stone-ground or instant grits. Instant grits are quick to make, while stone-ground grits take up to 45minutes because they contain whole grains and nutrients. Grits are often served for breakfast. They can either be sweet or savory.
Usually, uncooked grits dont go bad, but they can smell odd, then you would not want to eat them because of the smell. It could happen when they were not stored properly or stored for a very long period.
For cooked grits, yes, they do go bad. And when that happens, you can easily notice liquid separating from the porridge or ingredients.
Contents
- How to Store Grits?
- Can you freeze Grits?
- How long does Grits last?
- How to Tell If Grits Are Bad?
- Sources
- FAQs
- How do you know when dry grits go bad?
- How long are packaged grits good for after expiration date?
- Do grits have little brown specks?
- Why do my grits taste gritty?
- Why are my grits chunky?
- Do boxed grits go bad?
- What food has the longest expiration date?
- What are grits made of?
- What are the tiny brown bugs in grits?
How to Store Grits?
Grits storage is not a difficult task. You have to look for a cool, dark, and dry place. Just make sure they are far away from moisture sources or where any temperature change cant affect them. Because when anything goes from a temperature change warm to cool or cool to warm, the moisture from the air tries to lessen in the stored packages, which then leads to the formation of molds and would spoil grits.
Storing Uncooked Grits
The most suitable place to store instant grits is in the pantry that can provide a suitable temperature and dryness. When placing it in the pantry, you should also look for an airtight container, and if you dont have one make sure to close it well to seal away the moisture.
For storing stone-ground grits, since they are spoilable, you should use a freezer. The nutritional profile and flavor of the grits can be preserved when they are kept frozen.
Storing cooked grits
Cooked grits must be stored in the refrigerator, or they may not last well. Let the leftovers be cool down a bit by keeping them at room temperature. You can speed up this process by increasing the surface area of the grits. You can shift them into different plates.
After that, you can place them into an airtight container and put them in the freezer. Make sure to follow these steps for the better storage of grits:
- Cooked grits should be placed below 40 degrees of the temperature.
- Clean the container or the box thoroughly before putting the grits to avoid cross-contamination.
Can you freeze Grits?
Yes, its possible for you to freeze grits. For this purpose, store the uncooked grits in an airtight container; otherwise, clumps could be formed inside the grits. There are some insects called Weevils that are present in dry grains, could be present in your grits.
To remove them from the grits, you should place the grits in the freezer for up to 30 days so that the insects eggs cant be hatched. And once they are frozen, they can be stored in a cool place like a pantry for up to one year from the time of purchase.
To freeze cooked grits, take a pan and spray it with a non-stick cooking spray and top it with some cheese, and then cover the whole pan and grits within it with foil. Allow it to cool before freezing. Cooked frozen grits would be best to go for up to one month.
How long does Grits last?
The shelf life of grits is so long that you may forget when you bought them. However, their shelf life depends upon their variety, the method you use for their storage, and how well you store them.
Instant grits have longer shelf life than stone-ground grits, but when comparing the nutrient profile, it doesnt have a good one. Instant grits last up to 2 to 5 years when stored in a pantry. As for stone-ground grits, they can be stored for up to one year in the pantry. Cooked grits would be good to go up to a week in the refrigerator.
Like every product made in a factory, grits are labeled best before the date, which is generally the date the manufacturer has estimated for the products good quality. Because of that, you could safely eat the meal before the time runs out.
How to Tell If Grits Are Bad?
You can tell the grits are going bad if you notice any of these:
- Any black spots that appear after taking them home. Theres no issue if the black specs are already present in the grits while buying them from the market.
- If water droplets got in the grits package, it would form molds, which is a bad sign, and you should immediately throw them away.
- If you notice any change in the aroma or color of the grits, it means that they have been stored for a very long time, and its time for them to go.
- If you notice any change for prepared grits, whether it is in the appearance, color, smell, or taste, throw them away.
Sources
- How Long Do Grits Last?
- Does It Go Bad?
- The Shelf Life of Grits
FAQs
How do you know when dry grits go bad?
3 Tips to Tell if Grits Have Gone Bad
Mold formation. Whenever you notice mold growing on your grits, you should get rid of them with an immediate effect.
The odor has changed. When grits stay in the pantry for a long time, the fresh and sweet aroma begins to change into an awful smell.
Taste and color change.
Resources.
How long are packaged grits good for after expiration date?
Grits. Shelf life: When properly stored, instant grits will last 2-5 years past a “best by” date while stone ground grits will last up to 1 year past a “best by” date.
Do grits have little brown specks?
dark flecks throughout your corn grits.blackThe germ of the corn kernel is naturally darker in color and it is absolutely normal to see grey
Why do my grits taste gritty?
If they start to look gritty, or if the edges start to look dark, it’s a sign you need more milk. The grits will cook partially covered on your lowest heat. They should be bubbling and burping on and off. Try to stir the pot every 5-10 minutes if you remember.
Why are my grits chunky?
The key to cooking old-fashioned grits is going low and slow—use a low heat so the grits simmer and slowly release their starches, which creates a decadent, silky texture. Whisking constantly during the first couple of minutes, and frequently throughout the rest of the cooking process, will prevent lumps from forming.
Do boxed grits go bad?
Although not a perfect test, your senses are usually the most reliable instruments to tell if your grits have expired and gone bad. Dry grits last for about a year, the smell will change as they begin to go bad. Do not eat it if it develops an odor or tastes different than usual.
What food has the longest expiration date?
These 13 Foods Have the Longest Expiration Dates
8 Months to 1 Year. Ketchup and Mustard.
1 Year. Beef Jerky.
1 to 2 Years. Soy Sauce.
2 Years. Whole Grains.
2 to 5 Years. Pickles.
Decades. Whole Spices.
Hundreds of Years. Wine.
Virtually Forever. Pasta.
What are grits made of?
Grits are made from ground corn, typically from less sweet, starchy varieties often referred to as dent corn. Grits can be made from either yellow or white corn and are often labeled accordingly.
What are the tiny brown bugs in grits?
These Liposcelis bostrychophila, or “psocids” (pronounced “so kids”), are common pests in stored grains. They’re usually unseen because they’re about a millimeter long–about the size of a speck of dust–and are transparent to light brown in color. They’re also wingless, but can they ever crawl!