What the heck is this?
Shrimp and grits is the ultimate Southern comfort food — creamy, cheesy grits topped with tender, juicy shrimp simmered in a savory, slightly spicy sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. This authentic version is simple to make but packed with classic ingredients like smoky bacon, garlic, green onions, and a splash of Cajun seasoning. Whether you grew up with it or just discovered it, shrimp and grits is a game changer in the comfort food world.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Super creamy, cheesy grits with just the right texture.
- Shrimp cooked in a flavorful, slightly spicy bacon-garlic sauce.
- Easy to make with pantry staples and fresh ingredients.
- Perfect balance of smoky, savory, and a hint of heat.
- Great for brunch or a cozy dinner that feels fancy but is totally doable.
- Comes together in about 30 minutes — fast comfort food win!
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Grits:
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant!)
- 4 cups water or chicken broth (or a mix for extra flavor)
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Shrimp:
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
- 1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Let’s Do This
Step 1: Make the Grits
Bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits, reduce heat to low, and cook covered, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy (about 20–25 minutes). Stir in butter, cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon & Veggies
While grits cook, fry chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan. Add onion to the bacon fat and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add shrimp to the skillet, season with smoked paprika, cayenne, and Cajun seasoning. Cook shrimp until pink and just cooked through, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Pour chicken broth and lemon juice into the skillet. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor. Simmer until slightly reduced, about 3–4 minutes. Stir bacon back in.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Spoon cheesy grits onto plates and top generously with shrimp and sauce. Garnish with green onions and fresh parsley.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crusty bread to mop up every last drop. A simple side salad with a tangy vinaigrette balances the richness nicely.
Switch It Up
- Add diced tomatoes or bell peppers for a little extra color and flavor.
- Use smoked sausage instead of bacon for a smoky twist.
- Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to turn up the spice.
- For a dairy-free version, skip the cheese and use olive oil instead of butter.
Make-Ahead Tips
Cook the grits a day ahead and reheat gently with a splash of broth or milk. Shrimp and sauce are best made fresh but can be prepped a few hours before serving and reheated gently.
Questions People Actually Ask
Q: Can I use quick-cooking grits?
A: You can, but stone-ground grits have the best texture and flavor for this dish.
Q: What if I don’t like spicy food?
A: Cut back on cayenne and Cajun seasoning or leave them out altogether.
Q: Can I use frozen shrimp?
A: Yep! Just thaw completely and pat dry before cooking.
Q: How do I store leftovers?
A: Store shrimp and sauce separately from grits in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Authentic Southern Shrimp and Grits: The Soulful Classic You’ve Been Craving
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Shrimp and grits is the ultimate Southern comfort food — creamy, cheesy grits topped with tender, juicy shrimp simmered in a savory, slightly spicy sauce that’s bursting with flavor. It’s the kind of dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner. This authentic version is simple to make but packed with classic ingredients like smoky bacon, garlic, green onions, and a splash of Cajun seasoning. Whether you grew up with it or just discovered it, shrimp and grits is a game changer in the comfort food world.
Ingredients
For the Grits:
1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant!)
4 cups water or chicken broth (or a mix for extra flavor)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Shrimp:
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 slices bacon, chopped
1 small onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat)
1/2 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
1 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 green onions, sliced
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Grits
Bring water or broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits, reduce heat to low, and cook covered, stirring occasionally, until thick and creamy (about 20–25 minutes). Stir in butter, cheese, and season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon & Veggies
While grits cook, fry chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon fat in the pan. Add onion to the bacon fat and sauté until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook another minute.
Step 3: Cook the Shrimp
Add shrimp to the skillet, season with smoked paprika, cayenne, and Cajun seasoning. Cook shrimp until pink and just cooked through, about 2–3 minutes per side. Remove shrimp and set aside.
Step 4: Make the Sauce
Pour chicken broth and lemon juice into the skillet. Scrape up any browned bits from the bottom for extra flavor. Simmer until slightly reduced, about 3–4 minutes. Stir bacon back in.
Step 5: Bring It All Together
Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce. Spoon cheesy grits onto plates and top generously with shrimp and sauce. Garnish with green onions and fresh parsley.
Notes
Add diced tomatoes or bell peppers for a little extra color and flavor.
Use smoked sausage instead of bacon for a smoky twist.
Swap cheddar for pepper jack cheese to turn up the spice.
For a dairy-free version, skip the cheese and use olive oil instead of butter.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: ~450 kcal per serving
- Fat: ~15g
- Carbohydrates: ~35g
- Protein: ~35g