Grits and Grillades (Creole Comfort Food Classic) 🌶️

A hearty plate of grits and grillades featuring creamy white grits topped with braised beef in a rich Creole tomato gravy, garnished with fresh parsley and green onions.

Grits and Grillades (Creole Comfort Food Classic) 🌶️

 

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If you’ve ever had the pleasure of waking up to a hearty Southern brunch in Louisiana, chances are you’ve come across Grits and Grillades. This dish is soul-warming, savory, and steeped in Creole tradition — perfect for Sunday brunch, special occasions, or when you’re craving something cozy and comforting. ❤️

Whether you’re new to this Creole favorite or it’s already a family tradition, this recipe delivers all the flavor and tenderness you’d expect — melt-in-your-mouth beef, a rich tomato gravy, and creamy stone-ground grits.

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✨ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, bold flavors thanks to Creole seasoning and a slow-cooked tomato-based sauce

  • Tender beef that melts in your mouth after a long, low bake

  • Perfect for brunch or dinner — Southern comfort food at its finest!

  • Freezer-friendly — great for meal prep


🛒 Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Grillades:

  • 1.5–2 lb round steak

  • Creole seasoning, to taste

  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil

  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups chopped onion

  • 1 bell pepper, chopped

  • 2 ribs celery, chopped

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 cups beef stock

  • 15 oz can crushed tomatoes

  • 1/4 cup brandy

  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme

  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 1/2 cup green onions, chopped (plus more for garnish)

For the Grits:

  • 4 cups whole milk

  • 1 cup white grits

  • 3/4 tsp salt

  • 1/4 tsp pepper


🧑‍🍳 Equipment Needed

  • Large oven-proof skillet or Dutch oven

  • Whisk

  • Cutting board and knife

  • Medium saucepan for grits

  • Measuring cups and spoons


👩‍🍳 How to Make Grits and Grillades

1. Prepare the Meat

  • Gently pound round steak to about 1/2-inch thickness.

  • Cut into 4 equal portions.

  • Sprinkle each piece generously with Creole seasoning.

2. Sear the Grillades

  • In a large oven-proof skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.

  • Sauté the meat until well browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.

3. Make the Roux and Sauce

  • To the same pan, add flour and stir constantly over medium heat until it turns a light brown color (about 2–3 minutes).

  • Add onion, bell pepper, and celery — cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.

  • Stir in garlic, beef stock, crushed tomatoes, brandy, thyme, parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

4. Braise the Meat

  • Return browned steak pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.

  • Cover the pan and bake at 325°F for 1.5 hours, or until meat is fork-tender.

5. Cook the Grits

  • In a medium saucepan, bring milk, salt, and pepper to a boil.

  • Gradually whisk in the grits, then reduce heat to low and cover.

  • Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and keep warm.

6. Serve and Garnish

  • Place a generous mound of creamy grits on each plate.

  • Top with a piece of beef grillade and a spoonful of that rich tomato gravy.

  • Sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh finish. 🌿


🍽️ What to Serve With Grits and Grillades

This dish is hearty on its own, but you can round out the meal with:

  • Buttermilk biscuits or cornbread

  • Fried green tomatoes

  • A light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette

  • A side of collard greens or smothered okra


💡 Expert Tips

  • Don’t skip the roux! It’s the foundation of that rich, velvety Creole sauce.

  • Brandy adds depth, but you can substitute with white wine or omit entirely if needed.

  • Use stone-ground grits if possible for extra creaminess and flavor.

  • Make it ahead! Both the grillades and grits reheat well.


🧊 Storage and Reheating

  • Store: Leftovers keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • Freeze: The grillades (without grits) can be frozen for up to 3 months.

  • Reheat: Warm grillades gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth if needed. Grits can be reheated with a little milk to restore creaminess.


❓ FAQs

Can I use a different cut of meat?
Yes! Chuck roast or beef shoulder are great alternatives if round steak isn’t available.

Is this dish spicy?
Not inherently! The Creole seasoning provides warmth and flavor, but you can adjust the heat level to your preference.

Can I make this gluten-free?
You can substitute the flour with a gluten-free blend to thicken the sauce and ensure your grits are certified gluten-free.


🥘 You May Also Like…


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A hearty plate of grits and grillades featuring creamy white grits topped with braised beef in a rich Creole tomato gravy, garnished with fresh parsley and green onions.

Grits and Grillades (Creole Comfort Food Classic) 🌶️

Tender round steak is seasoned, seared, and slow-baked in a rich Creole tomato gravy with onions, peppers, and celery. Served over creamy, buttery grits and topped with fresh green onions, this comforting Southern classic is perfect for brunch or dinner. Full of bold flavor and down-home goodness!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 44 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Cajun, Southern Cooking
Servings 4
Calories 694 kcal

Equipment

  • Large oven-proof skillet or Dutch oven
  • Whisk
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Medium saucepan for grits
  • measuring cups and spoons

Ingredients
  

For the Grillades:

  • 1.5-2 lb round steak
  • Creole seasoning to taste
  • 3 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 3 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chopped onion
  • 1 bell pepper chopped
  • 2 ribs celery chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 cups beef stock
  • 15 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 1/4 cup brandy
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 cup chopped parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup green onions chopped (plus more for garnish)

For the Grits:

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 1 cup white grits
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • Gently pound round steak to about 1/2-inch thickness.
  • Cut into 4 equal portions or small bite sized pieces
  • Sprinkle each piece generously with Creole seasoning.
  • In a large oven-proof skillet or Dutch oven, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
  • Sauté the meat until well browned on both sides. Remove and set aside.
  • To the same pan, add flour and stir constantly over medium heat until it turns a light brown color (about 2–3 minutes).
  • Add onion, bell pepper, and celery — cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
  • Stir in garlic, beef stock, crushed tomatoes, brandy, thyme, parsley, and season with salt and pepper.
  • Return browned steak pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce.
  • Cover the pan and bake at 325°F for 1.5 hours, or until meat is fork-tender.
  • In a medium saucepan, bring milk, salt, and pepper to a boil.
  • Gradually whisk in the grits, then reduce heat to low and cover.
  • Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat and keep warm.
  • Place a generous mound of creamy grits on each plate. Top with a piece of beef grillade and a spoonful of that rich tomato gravy.
  • Sprinkle with chopped green onions for a fresh finish. 🌿

Notes

Nutritional values provided are estimates only and are calculated based on general nutritional data for the listed ingredients. Actual values may vary depending on the specific brands, measurements, and preparation methods used. For precise dietary information, please consult a registered dietitian or use a verified nutrition calculator with the exact ingredients you use.

Nutrition

Calories: 694kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 54gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0.5gCholesterol: 156mgSodium: 503mgPotassium: 1505mgFiber: 5gSugar: 20gVitamin A: 2054IUVitamin C: 51mgCalcium: 363mgIron: 4mg
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Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

 

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