Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe

This Southern Shrimp and Grits recipe is comfort food perfection – creamy, cheesy grits topped with perfectly cooked shrimp in a flavorful sauce with bacon, bell peppers, and just the right amount of seasoning. Ready in just 30 minutes, this classic dish brings restaurant-quality flavor to your dinner table with minimal effort. It’s the perfect balance of Southern tradition and weeknight convenience!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Quick and Satisfying: The entire dish comes together in just 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you want something impressive without spending hours in the kitchen.
• Flavor Explosion: The combination of creamy, cheesy grits with savory bacon, perfectly seasoned shrimp, and a light broth creates layers of flavor in every bite.
• Impressive Yet Simple: This dish looks and tastes like something you’d order at a fancy restaurant, but it’s surprisingly straightforward to make at home.
• Comfort Food Classic: There’s something undeniably comforting about a bowl of warm, creamy grits topped with savory shrimp – it’s Southern hospitality in a bowl!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Stone-ground grits: The foundation of the dish, providing a creamy, hearty base that absorbs all the wonderful flavors. Look for stone-ground varieties for the best texture and flavor.
• Cheddar cheese: Adds richness and a tangy depth to the grits that perfectly complements the savory shrimp topping.
• Butter: Enriches the grits with silky smoothness and adds a touch of richness that makes them irresistible.
• Bacon: Provides a smoky, salty foundation for the shrimp sauce and its drippings add incredible flavor to the entire dish.
• Bell pepper: Adds color, sweetness, and a slight crunch that balances the texture of the dish.
• Shrimp: The star of the show! Use fresh, peeled and deveined shrimp for the best flavor and convenience.
• Green onions: Offer a mild onion flavor and bright color that enhances both the taste and presentation.
• Garlic: Provides aromatic depth that ties all the other flavors together.
• Cajun seasoning: Brings a touch of heat and distinctive Southern flavor that makes this dish special.
• Chicken broth: Creates a light yet flavorful sauce that brings everything together without being heavy.
• Lemon juice: Added at the end for brightness that cuts through the richness and wakes up all the flavors.
• Parsley: A fresh, colorful garnish that adds a pop of color and herbaceous note to finish the dish.

Variations

Spicy Shrimp and Grits

Add a diced jalapeño along with the bell pepper and increase the Cajun seasoning to give this dish some serious heat. A dash of hot sauce just before serving adds another layer of spice for those who like it hot.

Creole-Style

Add diced tomatoes, celery, and a bay leaf to the shrimp mixture for a New Orleans twist. A splash of white wine instead of some of the chicken broth adds wonderful complexity.

Seafood Medley

Turn this into a seafood feast by adding scallops, crab meat, or even a few pieces of firm white fish along with the shrimp. This makes it perfect for special occasions.

Vegetarian Option

Skip the shrimp and bacon altogether and load up on sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, zucchini, and spinach for a hearty vegetarian version that still packs plenty of flavor.

How to Make Shrimp and Grits

Step 1: Cook the Grits

Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium pot. Slowly whisk in the grits, which helps prevent lumps. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes until they’re tender and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese and butter until completely melted. Cover to keep warm while you prepare the shrimp.

Step 2: Prepare the Bacon

While the grits are cooking, cook the chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until it becomes crisp and brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and let it drain on paper towels, but keep that precious bacon fat in the pan!

Step 3: Cook the Vegetables and Shrimp

Add the chopped bell pepper to the bacon drippings and sauté over medium heat until tender, about 4 minutes. Once softened, add the shrimp, green onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Cook for just 1 minute – the shrimp will barely start to turn pink at this point.

Step 4: Create the Sauce

Pour in the chicken broth and allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes. The shrimp will finish cooking in this flavorful liquid, absorbing all those wonderful flavors while staying perfectly tender.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

Just before serving, stir the crispy bacon bits and fresh lemon juice into the shrimp mixture. Divide the warm, cheesy grits among serving bowls, and generously spoon the shrimp mixture over the top. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and fresh flavor.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

• Watch those grits: Stir frequently to prevent them from sticking and scorching, especially as they thicken. The extra attention pays off in perfectly creamy results.
• Don’t rush the grits: Good stone-ground grits need time to cook properly. If they’re still a bit firm after the recommended time, add a splash more water and continue cooking until they reach your desired consistency.
• Prep ahead: Have all ingredients chopped, measured, and ready before you start cooking the shrimp. Once you begin, the process moves quickly, and you don’t want to overcook the shrimp while fumbling for ingredients.
• Bacon selection matters: Choose a good quality, thick-cut bacon for the best flavor. The rendered fat becomes a key flavor component in the final dish.
• Timing is everything: Start the grits first, as they take the longest to cook. About 10 minutes before they’re done, begin preparing the shrimp mixture so everything finishes at approximately the same time.

How to Serve

Perfect Pairings

Serve Shrimp and Grits with a simple side salad dressed with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the main dish. A slice of crusty bread is perfect for sopping up any remaining sauce.

Beverage Suggestions

A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a light lager beer complements this dish beautifully. For non-alcoholic options, sweet tea or lemonade makes a refreshing Southern-style pairing.

Presentation Ideas

For an elegant presentation, serve in wide, shallow bowls that showcase the colorful shrimp mixture atop the creamy grits. Garnish with extra green onions, a lemon wedge, and a sprinkle of fresh parsley.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store the grits and shrimp mixture separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. The flavors actually develop nicely overnight, making this a great make-ahead meal.

Freezing

While the shrimp mixture can be frozen for up to 1 month, grits don’t freeze well as they tend to change texture. If freezing, store only the shrimp portion and make fresh grits when ready to serve.

Reheating

To reheat grits, add a splash of water or milk and warm gently over low heat, stirring frequently. For the shrimp mixture, reheat in a skillet over medium-low heat just until warmed through – be careful not to overcook the shrimp.

FAQs

Can I use quick-cooking or instant grits instead of stone-ground?
You can, but there’s a significant difference in flavor and texture. Quick-cooking grits are more processed and lack the robust corn flavor and slightly coarser texture of stone-ground varieties. If using quick grits, follow the package instructions for cooking times, which will be much shorter.

How do I know when the shrimp are perfectly cooked?
Perfectly cooked shrimp should form a “C” shape and be opaque pink with slight translucency. If they curl into a tight “O” shape, they’re likely overcooked. Since they continue cooking in residual heat, remove them from the heat source just before they seem fully done.

Can I make this dish ahead for a dinner party?
Absolutely! Prepare both components separately up to a day ahead. Reheat the grits with a bit of extra liquid to loosen them, and gently rewarm the shrimp mixture. This approach actually allows the flavors to develop even further, making it a perfect stress-free entertaining option.

Is there a way to make this dish lighter or healthier?
For a lighter version, use less cheese in the grits or substitute with a reduced-fat variety. You can also use turkey bacon instead of pork bacon, reduce the amount by half, or even omit it entirely and use olive oil for sautéing. For the creaminess in the grits, you might substitute some of the butter with Greek yogurt stirred in after cooking.

Final Thoughts

This Shrimp and Grits recipe brings together the best of Southern comfort food in one incredibly satisfying dish. The contrast between creamy, cheesy grits and perfectly seasoned shrimp creates magic in every bite. Whether you’re cooking for a special occasion or just want to bring some Southern charm to your weeknight dinner, this recipe delivers impressive results with minimal effort. Give it a try – I’m confident it will become a treasured recipe in your collection!

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