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4.5 from 6 votes

Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Shrimp and grits recipe is a Southern delicacy that comes together quite quickly and is a family’s favorite weeknight meal. It consists of a pile of cheesy, buttery grits topped with seared Cajun-seasoned shrimp along with buttery sauce from the pan drippings and can be served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 605 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Grits-
  • 1 cup stone ground white grits cornmeal
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¾ cup white sharp cheddar shredded
Shrimp-
  • 1- pound large shrimp peeled and deveined I left the tail on
  • 6 lices Bacon sliced into small pieces
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons Cajun Seasoning
  • 3 green onions white and green part
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 small red bell pepper fire-roasted
  • 1 teaspoon smoked pepper
  • ⅓ cup chicken stock
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice freshly squeezed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Boil chicken stock and water in a large saucepan. Season it with salt.
  2. Slowly pour the grits while whisking them to avoid clumpy grits. Cook on medium-low heat whisking frequently for 5-7 minutes or until creamy. Refer to package instructions for how long to cook grits.
  3. Turn off the heat. Add butter and white cheddar cheese. Whisk until cheese is melted. Keep aside.
  4. In a large skillet cook sliced bacon on medium heat. Once the bacon is browned, remove the crispy bacon using a slotted spoon onto a bowl.
  5. Use the bacon grease in the pan to cook the shrimp. Note - if there is not enough bacon grease, add 1-2 teaspoons of cooking oil to the pan to cook shrimp. Place shrimp on the pan. Sprinkle Cajun seasoning over it, using a spatula spread the seasoning over the shrimp to coat evenly. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook on the other side for another 2 minutes. Remove shrimp onto a plate.
  6. Do not overcrowd the pan while cooking shrimp, cook in batches if needed. Divide the seasoning or add more Cajun seasoning if cooking in batches.
  7. Add butter to the pan. Sauté the white part of the green onion for 30 seconds.
  8. Add minced garlic and sauté it for a few seconds.
  9. Sauté fire-roasted red bell peppers (can use fresh red bell peppers).
  10. Mix in smoked paprika and cook for 20 seconds.
  11. Pour chicken stock, and quickly mix to blend.
  12. Now add heavy cream, Worcestershire sauce. Mix everything together.
  13. If the gravy/sauce turns thick adjust the consistency by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons more stock.
  14. Reduce heat to low, add crispy bacon, cooked shrimp, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix everything to coat the shrimp in the sauce. Let it cook for 2 minutes.
  15. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
  16. Serve hot grits on a plate, and top it with shrimp and some of the gravy from the shrimp. Garnish with green onion. Enjoy while it’s still hot.

Notes

  • Nutritional Info – Please keep in mind that the nutritional information provided is only a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on the products used.
  • Choose the right grits. Stone-ground white grits are best, you can also use quick grits. Avoid instant grits.
  • Grits are quite bland. Add flavor to it by cooking it in stock and season with salt.
  • Avoid clumpy grits. Slowly pour the grits into boiling water while whisking. This will get rid of the clumps.
  • Use large shrimp, for a better eating experience.
  • Do not overcook shrimp. It will turn rubbery.
  • Serve the dish as soon as it’s made, it tastes best.

Nutrition Information

Calories 605kcal (30%) Carbohydrates 41g (14%) Protein 32g (64%) Fat 35g (54%) Saturated Fat 16g (80%) Polyunsaturated Fat 4g Monounsaturated Fat 11g Trans Fat 0.4g Cholesterol 221mg (74%) Sodium 2007mg (84%) Potassium 575mg (16%) Fiber 4g (16%) Sugar 4g (8%) Vitamin A 2915IU (58%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 255mg (26%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 605

% Daily Value*

Calories 605kcal 30%
Carbohydrates 41g 14%
Protein 32g 64%
Fat 35g 54%
Saturated Fat 16g 80%
Polyunsaturated Fat 4g 24%
Monounsaturated Fat 11g 55%
Trans Fat 0.4g 20%
Cholesterol 221mg 74%
Sodium 2007mg 84%
Potassium 575mg 12%
Fiber 4g 16%
Sugar 4g 8%
Vitamin A 2915IU 58%
Vitamin C 9mg 10%
Calcium 255mg 26%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.