This Spicy Mexican Grits Bowl with fresh corn salsa is a healthy budget meal that doesn’t sacrifice on flavor or wholesome ingredients. This classic southern dish is loaded with Mexican flare and you won’t be able to beat this nutritious, hearty, meat-free meal!

Looking for a healthy budget meal?
Are you looking for simple ways to save money? For those of us with large families, the grocery bill can be one of the most expensive items in our budget. But, what’s even more frustrating is that most of the “budget” recipes out there sacrifice on healthy, wholesome ingredients. Often including cream-of-something soup, cheese-submerged vegetables, heavy pastas, or preservative-filled dressings.
Avoid a headache while meal planning this week and try my Spicy Mexican Grits Bowl with fresh corn salsa. Creamy grits topped with fresh, spicy and CHEAP ingredients. It’s a super simple recipe that feels decadent with every bite.

How to make this classic southern dish:
Start by cooking approximately two cups of grits. (Please note, for this recipe I used 5-minute quick grits. But feel free to use your preferred type.) As the grits begin to thicken, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of ground coriander seed, 1/4 teaspoon paprika, 1/2 teaspoon cumin, and a dash of salt.
While the grits continue to cook, slice one to two fresh jalapeños, one avocado, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro. Then, open and drain one 15-ounce can of black beans and set aside.
Next, I whipped up a batch of my super easy Fresh Corn Salsa. If you don’t have time to make the fresh corn salsa, look in the vegetable section of your local grocery store for a freshly-made, pre-packaged corn salsa.

To assemble your Spicy Mexican Grits Bowls, spoon approximately 1/4 – 1/3 cup of seasoned grits to your dish. Add your desired amount of corn salsa, black beans, sliced avocados, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.
Finish off the top with a squeeze of fresh lime juice and/or crumbled queso fresco. You could also substitute feta cheese for queso fresco, if you’d like.

This classic southern dish loaded with Mexican flare, is my new go-to recipe that doesn’t cost much. You won’t be able to beat this nutritious, hearty, meat-free meal!
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked grits
- 1-2 fresh jalapeños
- 1 15-oz can black beans
- 1 avocado
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1 lime
- 1/4 tsp ground coriander seed
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- Fresh Corn Salsa or pre-packaged corn salsa
- 1 dash salt
- desired amount of queso fresco
Instructions
- Start by cooking approximately 2 cups of grits.
- As the grits begin to thicken, stir in 1/4 tsp of ground coriander seed, 1/4 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp cumin, and a dash of salt.
- While the grits are cooking, slice 1-2 fresh jalapeños, 1 avocado, and 1/4 cup fresh cilantro. Then, open and drain one 15-oz can of black beans and set aside.
- Next, I whipped up a batch of my super easy, Fresh Corn Salsa. If you don't have time to make my Fresh Corn Salsa, look in the vegetable section of your local grocery store for a freshly-made, pre-packaged corn salsa.
- To assemble your Spicy Mexican Grits Bowls, spoon approximately 1/4 - 1/3 cup of seasoned grits to your dish. Add your desired amount of corn salsa, black beans, sliced avocados, sliced jalapeños, and fresh cilantro.
- Finish off the top with a squeeze of fresh lime and/or crumbled queso fresco.
Notes
Home Chef Tip: If you do not wish to top your grits with fresh jalapeños, try canned green chilis. They are milder in heat, and I find them to be slightly sweeter in taste.

We hope you enjoy this Spicy Mexican Grits Bowl recipe from SoFabFood Home Chef, Julie from The Healthy Home Cook. If you love this healthy budget meal, be sure to visit our 30-Minute Meals Section for more like it. For daily recipe inspiration, subscribe to our newsletter, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Pinterest. Enjoy!
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