Description
Southern Shrimp and Grits is the ultimate comfort classic—creamy, cheesy grits topped with juicy, seasoned shrimp and a rich, savory sauce. Perfect for brunch or dinner, this bold Southern dish brings restaurant-quality flavor right to your table in under an hour.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Grits:
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
For the Sauce (Optional):
- ¼ cup diced onion
- ¼ cup diced bell pepper
- ½ cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp chopped parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook the grits: In a saucepan, bring water or broth and salt to a boil. Whisk in grits, reduce to low, and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in butter, cheese, and milk until smooth.
- Season & cook the shrimp: Pat shrimp dry and season with paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet. Cook shrimp 2–3 minutes per side until opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic, onion, and peppers until softened. Deglaze with broth and lemon juice. Simmer 2–3 minutes.
- Assemble: Spoon creamy grits into bowls, top with shrimp, and drizzle sauce over. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use stone-ground grits for the best flavor and texture.
- Don’t overcook shrimp—they only need a few minutes per side.
- Fresh shrimp yield the best results, but thawed frozen works too.
- Sharp cheddar balances the spice perfectly, but gouda or pepper jack work too.
- For Cajun style, add andouille sausage and Cajun seasoning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish, Dinner, Brunch, Southern Recipes
- Method: Stovetop, Skillet
- Cuisine: Southern, American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 31g
- Cholesterol: 225mg
Keywords: Shrimp and Grits, Southern Shrimp and Grits, Cheesy Grits, Cajun Shrimp, Comfort Food Classic