Description
Creamy Southern Shrimp and Grits bring comfort straight from Charleston’s kitchen to your plate, combining tender seafood with smooth, buttery corn goodness that whispers pure Southern hospitality.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound large shrimp
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 4 slices of bacon
Flavor Enhancers:
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 bell pepper
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt
- Pepper
Cooking Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 green onions
- Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Boil 4 cups of water or chicken broth in a medium saucepan at high heat until rolling bubbles appear.
- Gradually whisk 1 cup stone-ground grits into boiling liquid, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the saucepan, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until your grits reach a creamy consistency.
- Remove grits from heat and fold in 4 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese. Season with salt and pepper to match your taste preferences.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and add chopped bacon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until crispy and golden brown.
- Transfer crisp bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, keeping the rendered bacon grease in the skillet.
- Pour 1 tablespoon olive oil into the existing bacon grease.
- Saute finely chopped onion and diced bell pepper for 3-4 minutes until vegetables soften and become translucent.
- Introduce minced garlic and cook for 1 additional minute, stirring to prevent burning.
- Add 1 pound peeled shrimp to the skillet with 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning and ½ teaspoon smoked paprika. Cook 3-4 minutes until shrimp turn completely pink.
- Sprinkle crispy bacon back into the skillet and gently combine all ingredients. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Spread creamy grits across serving plates, creating a small central depression.
- Distribute shrimp and vegetable mixture over the grits, ensuring even coverage.
- Decorate with sliced green onions and fresh chopped parsley for brightness.
- Serve the dish immediately while hot and aromatic.
Notes
- Always use stone-ground grits for the best texture and authentic Southern flavor, as they cook up creamier and have more depth than instant varieties.
- Continuous whisking when adding grits prevents lumps and ensures a smooth, silky consistency that makes the dish feel restaurant-quality.
- Cook shrimp just until they turn pink and opaque to keep them tender and prevent rubbery texture, which can happen quickly in a hot skillet.
- For gluten-free adaptation, replace bacon with turkey bacon or omit entirely, and verify your Cajun seasoning is gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Shrimp
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 390 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 560 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg