This Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe is a vibrant symphony of flavors that celebrates the very soul of Southern cooking. Imagine tender shrimp nestled in a creamy, cheesy bed of grits, each bite a taste of comfort and warmth. This recipe is a personal favorite of mine, and I can’t wait to share the delightful journey with you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Flavor Explosion: The combination of Cajun spices, cheddar cheese, and shrimp creates a rich, satisfying taste.
- Comfort in a Bowl: There’s nothing quite like the soothing texture and warmth of creamy grits.
- Quick and Easy: With minimal prep and cooking time, you can enjoy this dish any night of the week.
- Customizable: Easily adjust the spice level or add more veggies to suit your taste.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients couldn’t be simpler for this Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe. Each adds a unique touch, whether it’s the sharpness of cheddar cheese or the zing of Cajun seasoning.
- Stone-ground grits: These are the foundation of our dish, offering a hearty texture and flavor.
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds creamy sharpness, melting beautifully into the grits.
- Shrimp: Fresh, peeled, and deveined for convenience and a succulent bite.
- Cajun seasoning: Provides that essential Southern spice kick to the shrimp.
- Chicken broth: Enhances the shrimp sauce with richness and depth.
Variations
This Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe is wonderfully versatile, easily adapted for various tastes and dietary needs. Here are a few ideas to get you started!
- Spicy Variation: Turn up the heat by adding sliced jalapeños and extra Cajun seasoning.
- Vegetarian Twist: Swap shrimp with sautéed mushrooms for a veggie-friendly option.
- Cheesy Variation: Mix in some crumbled goat cheese for a creamy tang.
How to Make Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Grits
Bring water and salt to boil in a medium pot. When bubbling, slowly whisk in the grits, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, and let them cook for about 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently. Once soft and creamy, stir in cheese and butter, then cover to keep warm.
Step 2: Cook the Sun Dried Tomatoes
While your grits are simmering, cook the sun dried tomatoes in a large skillet until they’re crisp. Remove them with a slotted spoon and let them drain on paper towels. These will add a lovely texture to the finished dish.
Step 3: Sauté the Bell Pepper
Add the bell pepper to the skillet, utilizing those flavorful tomato drippings. Sauté over medium heat until tender, which should take about 4 minutes, giving you a perfect texture to complement the creamy grits.
Step 4: Add Shrimp and Seasonings
Increase the flavor by adding shrimp, green onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt to the pan. Cook for just 1 minute, capturing all those vibrant spices, before adding chicken broth to create a delightful sauce.
Step 5: Simmer and Finish
Simmer the shrimp mixture for 5 minutes, stirring in lemon juice and the crispy sun dried tomatoes just before serving. The tangy lemon will brighten up the dish, balancing all the rich and savory flavors perfectly.
Pro Tips for Making Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- Creamy Perfection: Stir frequently and add extra cheese or even a splash of cream for ultra silky grits.
- Shrimp Readiness: Prep shrimp and seasonings in advance, ensuring shrimp remain tender.
- Layer the Flavors: Let the bell pepper sauté in the tomato drippings for added depth.
- Optimal Garnish: Fresh parsley brightens up the dish beautifully; don’t skip it!
How to Serve Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe
Garnishes
Simplicity reigns with garnishes here. Fresh chopped parsley is ideal, providing a burst of color and delicate herbal notes that perfectly complement the richness of the dish.
Side Dishes
Pair this hearty dish with a light mixed greens salad or steamed asparagus to balance the richness. A cool glass of iced tea wouldn’t go amiss either, bringing Southern charm to the table.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve in charming individual bowls for an elegant presentation, or go rustic by using a single large dish. For an extra creative touch, sprinkle some smoked paprika or add a wedge of lemon on the side for added zest.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. The flavors will meld beautifully over time, adding even more depth upon reheating.
Freezing
While grits freeze well, shrimp can become overcooked when reheated. If you need to freeze, do so with the grits separately, then prepare fresh shrimp when serving.
Reheating
To reheat, gently simmer on the stove or microwave, adding a splash of broth to maintain the creamy consistency, ensuring everything is thoroughly heated through.
FAQs
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Can I use instant grits?
While instant grits can be used for convenience, stone-ground grits offer a superior texture and flavor that truly enhance this dish.
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What if I don’t have Cajun seasoning?
If Cajun seasoning isn’t available, you can create your own by mixing paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and dried thyme.
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Any alternatives to chicken broth?
Vegetable broth is a great substitute if you’re looking for a vegetarian or a slightly different flavor profile, yet still rich and savory.
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How do I prevent grits from clumping?
Whisk the grits into boiling water gradually and stir constantly during cooking to maintain smooth consistency and avoid clumping.
Final Thoughts
Dive into the comforting embrace of this Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe. Whether it’s a family meal or a cozy dinner for two, this dish is destined to become a household favorite. I hope you enjoy every flavorful bite – happy cooking!
Print
Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
This Southern Shrimp and Grits recipe combines creamy, cheesy grits with flavorful sautéed shrimp and vegetables, topped with sun-dried tomatoes and fresh herbs. Perfectly balanced with bold Cajun seasonings, it offers a comforting and hearty meal that highlights classic Southern flavors with a modern twist.
Ingredients
For the Grits:
- 4 1/2 cups water (1080mL)
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (140g)
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (168g)
- 3 tablespoons butter
For the Shrimp:
- 6 slices dried sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (168g)
- 1 bell pepper, chopped (250g)
- 1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined (454g)
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth (180mL)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the Grits: Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium pot. Slowly whisk in the grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring often, until the grits are tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cheese and butter until melted. Cover and keep warm.
- Cook the Sun-Dried Tomatoes: While the grits cook, in a large skillet, cook the sun-dried tomatoes over medium heat until crisp, about 3-4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Sauté the Bell Pepper: In the same skillet, add chopped bell pepper and sauté over medium heat until tender, about 4 minutes.
- Add the Shrimp and Seasonings: Add the shrimp, green onions, garlic, Cajun seasoning, and salt. Cook for 1 minute, stirring occasionally.
- Simmer the Sauce: Stir in the chicken broth and simmer for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Finish and Serve: Just before serving, stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and lemon juice. Spoon the shrimp and sauce over the cheesy grits and garnish with chopped parsley.
Notes
- Stir the grits frequently while cooking to prevent burning, especially towards the end of cooking.
- For extra creaminess, stir in ¼ cup heavy cream with the cheese and butter or replace half of the broth with whole milk during cooking.
- Use the bacon drippings from cooking the sun-dried tomatoes or bacon to add depth to the sauce.
- Prepping sauce ingredients ahead of time prevents overcooking the shrimp, ensuring they stay tender.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 50 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
