White grits come in instant, quick cooking, and stone ground varieties and are cooked with either water, stock or milk. Once the grits are cooked on top of the stove, many Southerners also add other ingredients for more flavor, such as butter, grated cheese, heavy cream, and spices. Grits also need a certain amount of salt to make them taste their best. Properly cooked grits shouldn't be dry or runny, but smooth and creamy.