This paper deals with the recrystallization and grain growth processes of a low nickel stainless steel. Samples of steel sheets with various cold rolling degrees were annealed at different temperatures and the recrystallization and grain growth kinetics have been studied. The grain size of the samples has been determined via automatic image analysis and transformed to 3-D values according to the Saltykov model. The experimental data have been analysed according to a modified model developed using the statistical approach by Abbruzzese and Lucke for the grain growth. This approach supplies a unified equation describing at the same time primary recrystallization and grain growth. The values of the dislocation density obtained from the comparison of theoretical predictions and experimental data of the grain mean radius are properly correlated to the mechanical properties of the steel.