Description
An authentic Southern shrimp and grits recipe featuring creamy, cheesy stone-ground grits topped with sautéed Cajun-seasoned shrimp, crispy bacon, and fresh parsley. This classic Southern main course is rich, flavorful, and perfect for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Grits
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
Shrimp and Topping
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun or Creole seasoning
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Grits: In a medium saucepan, bring water or chicken broth and salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in the stone-ground grits to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low and cover, simmering gently for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thick and creamy.
- Add Cheese and Cream: Stir the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, and heavy cream into the hot grits. Cover and keep warm while preparing the shrimp.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped thick-cut bacon until crisp. Remove bacon pieces with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the finely chopped onions and green bell peppers to the bacon drippings in the skillet. Cook until softened, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
- Cook the Shrimp: Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables. Season with Cajun or Creole seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the shrimp for 2 to 3 minutes on each side until pink, opaque, and cooked through.
- Combine and Finish: Stir in the lemon juice, cooked bacon, and chopped fresh parsley into the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the creamy cheesy grits into bowls and top each serving with the shrimp mixture. Garnish with additional fresh parsley if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- For extra depth of flavor, use low-sodium chicken broth instead of water when cooking the grits.
- Adjust the spice level by increasing or decreasing the amount of Cajun or Creole seasoning according to your preference.
- Stone-ground grits provide the best texture, but quick-cooking grits can be used in a pinch, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
- To make the dish dairy-free, substitute cheddar cheese with a vegan alternative and use coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
