There is nothing complicated about grits, but when made correctly and with the right ingredients, they bring comfort, warmth, and tradition to the table. Preparing them overnight in the RATIONAL iCombi Pro allows restaurants to serve that level of quality without requiring staff to start from scratch first thing in the morning. It is an efficient, labor-saving way to offer a Southern classic at any time of day.
Whether feeding a full dining room or operating in a school kitchen, this method of preparation helps deliver consistent results with minimal labor.
Why Cook Grits Overnight?
Preparing grits overnight saves time and reduces the need for morning prep work. Instead of cooking from the ground up during a busy shift, the kitchen can start the day with a hot, ready-to-serve batch. This approach is beneficial in restaurants, hotels, and school foodservice operations where speed and consistency matter.
Grits also work across multiple dayparts, from early breakfast service to dinner features. With overnight cooking, teams can serve grits more efficiently without giving up quality.
A Southern Staple with Staying Power
Grits are more than a comfort food. With origins in Native American cooking, they have become a central part of Southern cuisine. Dishes like shrimp and grits, which began as a simple coastal breakfast, have grown into staples on restaurant menus.
The official prepared food of Georgia, grits offer both flavor and familiarity. They are often tied to memories of home-cooked meals and regional identity. Whether served sweet or savory, grits continue to deliver on versatility and customer appeal.
Preparing Grits in the RATIONAL iCombi Pro
Designed to support commercial kitchens with reliable, repeatable cooking, the RATIONAL iCombi Pro allows operators to store recipes, schedule cook times, and prepare consistent batches with minimal manual input. Once programmed into the iCombi Pro, cooking overnight grits becomes a simple matter of choosing what items to add to the completed dish and setting a start time.
Step-by-Step Guide to Overnight Grits
- In a hotel pan, combine water and grits at a 4-to-1 ratio. Stir to blend.
- On the iCombi Pro, navigate to stored recipes and select “Grits Overnight.”
- Choose the desired start time for the cooking cycle.
- Load the pan and close the door.
- In the morning, remove the pan, stir in butter, cheese, or other seasonings, and serve.
Every foodservice business has its own standard for "perfect grits," so when first using the iCombi Pro, a good baseline is low steam around 185°F for six to eight hours.
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Serving Suggestions and Variations of Grits
Once cooked, grits can be tailored to suit a wide range of menu styles. Shrimp and grits remain a regional favorite, but there are many other ways to offer variety. Cheddar or jalapeño grits add bold flavors, while sweet versions with maple syrup and pecans work well in breakfast or brunch settings. Chilled grits can also be sliced and pan-fried to create a crispy side dish or appetizer.
With overnight preparation in the iCombi Pro, commercial kitchens of any size can serve a made-from-scratch classic that is both comforting and operationally smart, no matter how the grits are served, or to whom.
Is your foodservice business ready to learn how a RATIONAL iCombi Pro can help save on labor and serve meals quicker? Take our free assessment to get started:
