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A delectable plate of Southern shrimp and grits, featuring plump shrimp and creamy grits.

Shrimp and Grits (Southern)

This recipe offers three delicious ways to enjoy classic Southern Shrimp and Grits, ranging from a comforting and simple preparation to a rich and elaborate version, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Basic Grits
  • 1 cup Grits
  • 4 cups Water or Milk
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 2 tbsp Butter
Basic Shrimp
  • 1 lb Shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Cajun Seasoning
Version 1: Simple & Comforting
  • 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
Version 2: Smoky & Savory
  • 4 strips Bacon, chopped
  • 1/2 Yellow Onion, diced
  • 1/2 cup Chicken Broth
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice
Version 3: Rich & Creamy
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
  • 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tbsp Fresh Parsley, chopped

Equipment

  • Medium Saucepan
  • Large Skillet
  • Whisk
  • Slotted Spoon

Method
 

Prepare Grits
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring water or milk to a boil with salt. Gradually whisk in grits, reducing heat to low.
  2. Cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until grits are creamy. Stir in butter and set aside, keeping warm.
Prepare Basic Shrimp
  1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  2. Add shrimp and Cajun seasoning, cooking for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Do not overcook.
Version 1: Simple & Comforting
  1. Stir shredded cheddar cheese into the prepared grits until melted and smooth.
  2. Serve the cheesy grits immediately with a generous helping of the cooked shrimp on top.
Version 2: Smoky & Savory
  1. In the same skillet used for shrimp, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving rendered fat.
  2. Add diced yellow onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes. Deglaze with chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits.
  3. Return shrimp to the skillet with the bacon and stir in lemon juice. Serve over grits.
Version 3: Rich & Creamy
  1. After cooking the shrimp, reduce heat to low and pour in heavy cream. Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and a creamy sauce forms.
  2. Add halved cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh parsley, cooking for 1-2 minutes until tomatoes are slightly warmed through. Serve the creamy shrimp mixture over the grits.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider using chicken or vegetable broth instead of water for the grits. Adjust seasoning to taste for each version. Enjoy responsibly!