Cheddar grits are a Southern U.S. dish of grits (coarsely ground, dried corn) cooked in water or milk until creamy, then finished with shredded cheddar stirred in to melt into a rich sauce coating the grits. They are usually served as a side alongside fried chicken, shrimp, or pork, and they form the base of shrimp and grits, a signature Lowcountry dish. Common additions include butter, garlic, or cayenne pepper, and leftovers are sometimes pan-fried into cakes or baked into a casserole.