Shrimp and Grits
These Shrimp and Grits are a Southern classic! Flavorful and hearty shrimp and bacon served over creamy, cheesy grits. Quick and easy, this recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal!
Servings: 4
Equipment
Ingredients
Cheese Grits
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup quick grits
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Shrimp
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 pound raw medium shrimp peeled and deveined
- salt & pepper to taste
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- ½ tsp cajun seasoning
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice approximately 1/2 regular lemon
Optional Garnish
- green onion
- fresh parsley
Instructions
- Combine the chicken broth and milk in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Stir in the salt.
- Add the grits. Reduce the heat to low, cover and let cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and stir. Continue to let the grits cook over low heat while stirring for another 3-4 minutes. Grits should have a tender texture.
- Turn off the heat. Add in the butter and shredded cheese, stir in the butter and cheese until melted.
- Cover the grits to keep warm and prepare the shrimp.
- Cook the bacon in a medium size skillet over medium heat. Remove the bacon once cooked through and to desired crispness.
- Add the shrimp to the bacon grease, still cooking medium/low heat, cook the shrimp for about 2 minutes, then turn to cook the other side.
- Cook shrimp for an additional 1-2 minutes. Add in the cajun seasoning, garlic, and lemon juice. Stir to combine. Crumble the cooked bacon, return to the skillet. Stir.
- Once shrimp is no longer translucent and cooked through (total cook time for shrimp is about 4-6 minutes)
- Serve shrimp over the cheese grits. Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
If you don't have cajun seasoning on hand you can make your own blend. Here's a recipe!
- Shrimp: Use raw shrimp in this recipe. You can use fresh or frozen, if using frozen thaw them out in the refrigerator overnight or do a quick thaw according to the directions on the package. Any size shrimp can be used (small, medium, large, or jumbo) but cooking time will vary. It's easiest to get peeled and deveined shrimp. If you get shrimp with the tails on, remove the tails to make eating easier.
- Broth: Chicken broth is used for flavoring, use an unsalted or low sodium to allow more control over the salt level of the meal.
- Milk: Whole milk creates smooth and creamy grits, substitute with milk of choice or use a dairy free option as needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 485kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 21g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 13g