Shrimp and Grits

These delectable southern-style Shrimp and Grits are cooked with creole seasoning, red pepper, green onions, crisp bacon, and garlic over a bed of creamy cheddar grits.

Course seafood main meal

Cuisine Cajun

Keyword how to make shrimp and grits, recipe for shrimp and grits, shrimp and grits recipe, southern grits, what to serve with shrimp and grits

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Servings

Calories 599kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Cheesy Grits

1 cup quick cooking grits
4 cups water
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

Shrimp

6 slices smoked bacon
1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 red bell pepper finely chopped
3 green onions chopped
3 cloves garlic minced
1/4 cup low sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 teaspoons lemon juice

Instructions

Bring the water to a boil; add the salt and slowly add the grits. Cover and cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes or until smooth and creamy. Remove from heat, and stir in the butter, cream, and cheddar cheese.
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy. Place on paper towels to drain; reserving bacon grease. Coarsely chop bacon once cooled. Add shrimp to bacon grease over medium heat. Sprinkle with Cajun seasoning and cayenne pepper. Flip the shrimp after one minute, and cook for an additional minute. Remove to a plate.
Add vegetable oil to a skillet over medium heat. Add red pepper and cook until slightly tender; 2-3 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add green onions and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add chicken broth, Worcestershire Sauce, and lemon juice to the skillet, and stir. Return shrimp and bacon to the skillet and heat for 1 minute.
Spoon the cheesy grits into a bowl and add the shrimp mixture. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

Quick grits work best for this recipe. Boil the water, then add the salt and grits. Bring back to a low boil and stir to combine. Cover, turn to a simmer, and cook until tender and creamy. Stir in the cream, butter, and sharp cheddar. It is just that simple.
Use good quality smoked bacon, and don't throw out the bacon grease. Or, if you prefer, add a little andouille sausage.
Use wild-caught peeled, deveined shrimp. Place them over medium heat in the bacon fat. Don't overcook them. They only need about one minute on each side. They will be added back to the pan in the second part of the recipe.
Sprinkle the seasoning on the shrimp while it is in the pan. It is easy to do and works to sear into the shrimp.
Serve this recipe as soon as possible. Shrimp does not reheat well. It can easily get overcooked and rubbery.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat at 50% power in 30-second intervals in the microwave until warm.

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