Description
Southern Shrimp and Grits is a quintessential Southern dish that delivers creamy, cheesy grits topped with perfectly seasoned shrimp in a savory sauce. This recipe is not only a crowd-pleaser but also easy to prepare, making it perfect for family dinners or special gatherings. With its rich flavors and comforting textures, it’s sure to impress your guests and become a staple in your home cooking repertoire.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb fresh large shrimp, deveined
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or broth
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 2 green onions, chopped
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water or broth to a boil. Gradually whisk in 1 cup of stone-ground grits and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes until thickened.
- Stir in ½ cup heavy cream, 2 tbsp butter, and 1 cup cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crispy. Remove the bacon but keep the drippings in the skillet.
- Add the shrimp and minced garlic to the skillet; cook for about 3-5 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Season shrimp with cayenne pepper and paprika; squeeze lemon juice over them. Toss to combine.
- Serve creamy grits on plates topped with sautéed shrimp, garnished with bacon bits and green onions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 400g)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 980mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 250mg