Description
Creamy Shrimp and Grits from Southern cuisine bring comfort right to your dinner table. Sizzling garlic-kissed shrimp nestled over smooth, rich grits create a classic Southern comfort meal that hugs your taste buds with pure deliciousness.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
Flavor Enhancers:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Seasonings and Garnish:
- 2 green onions, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions
- Bring 4 cups of water or chicken broth to a rolling boil in a medium pot, ensuring your liquid is at a vigorous bubbling temperature.
- Gradually whisk 1 cup of stone-ground grits into the boiling liquid, reducing heat to low and stirring constantly until mixture thickens for 5-7 minutes.
- Melt 2 tablespoons unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat, allowing it to become completely liquid and slightly golden.
- Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the melted butter, sautéing for 1-2 minutes until your kitchen fills with a rich, aromatic fragrance.
- Introduce 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook shrimp for precisely 3-4 minutes, turning once, until they transform from translucent gray to vibrant pink and opaque.
- Drizzle 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice over the shrimp, stirring to coat each piece with the tangy liquid.
- Sprinkle 2 chopped green onions across the shrimp, mixing gently to distribute their sharp, fresh flavor.
- Ladle your creamy grits into serving bowls, topping generously with the garlic butter shrimp.
- Garnish with additional green onion slices and a final squeeze of lemon for bright, zesty finish.
Notes
- Check the package instructions for exact grits cooking times, as different brands may vary slightly in preparation.
- Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure a beautiful golden sear and prevent steaming instead of browning.
- For a creamier texture, stir some grated cheese or heavy cream into the grits near the end of cooking for extra richness.
- Keep shrimp moving in the pan and watch carefully to prevent overcooking, which can make them tough and rubbery.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 12-13 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 315 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg