Shrimp and Grits
Creamy stone-ground cheese grits topped with garlicky sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon, and scallions—the Lowcountry brunch-and-dinner staple. Cook shrimp just until opaque pink (about 145°F) so they stay plump, not rubbery.
đź›’Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant)
- 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth, plus more as needed
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- 2 green onions, sliced
- Lemon wedges for serving
🔧Kitchen Tools Needed
- Saucepan
- Skillet
- Whisk
- Tongs
đź“ťInstructions
- 1
Bring water/broth and milk to a simmer. Whisk in grits; cook over low heat, stirring often, 20–30 minutes until creamy and tender. Stir in cheddar, butter, and salt. Keep warm; thin with hot liquid if needed.
- 2
Cook bacon in a skillet until crisp; transfer to a plate, leaving 1–2 tablespoons fat.
- 3
Season shrimp with paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Sauté in bacon fat over medium-high 2–3 minutes per side until opaque and pink (about 145°F). Add garlic in the last 30 seconds.
- 4
Spoon grits into bowls; top with shrimp, bacon, and green onions. Finish with lemon.
- 5
Refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours up to 2 days; reheat grits gently with a splash of milk and shrimp to 165°F.
🥗Nutrition Information
⚡Calories per serving: 520
🏷️Recipe Tags
âť“Frequently Asked Questions
Instant grits OK?
Yes for speed, but stone-ground taste better; adjust liquid and time per package.
Grits too thick?
Whisk in hot broth or milk a splash at a time until pourable.
Andouille twist?
Brown sliced andouille with the bacon; fold into the shrimp pan.
Food safety?
Cook shrimp until opaque/pink (~145°F); do not leave dairy grits out over 2 hours; reheat leftovers to 165°F.
🍯You might also like
❤️Love this recipe?
Discover more delicious homemade recipes like this one
🍳Browse More Recipes