Description
A comforting Southern dish featuring creamy, cheesy grits topped with smoky, spiced shrimp and fresh herbs for a bold Cajun twist.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream (optional)
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Juice of half a lemon
- Chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the water or chicken broth to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Once the grits are tender, stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, butter, and heavy cream (if using). Season with salt to taste and keep warm.
- In a bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper. Make sure the shrimp are evenly coated.
- Heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until they’re pink and cooked through. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Add the diced onion and bell pepper, cooking until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Return the shrimp to the skillet and squeeze in the lemon juice. Stir everything together and cook for 1-2 minutes to blend the flavors.
- Spoon the creamy grits into bowls and top with the shrimp and vegetable mixture. Garnish with chopped parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
[‘Start the grits first since they take longer to cook. While they simmer, prep and cook the shrimp to save time.’, ‘Don’t overcook the shrimp—they should be pink and slightly firm, not rubbery.’, ‘Reduce the amount of cayenne pepper for a milder flavor or add extra for more heat.’, ‘Fresh shrimp, garlic, and herbs make a world of difference in flavor.’, ‘If your grits get too thick, stir in a splash of water or broth to loosen them up before serving.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 750
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 25
Keywords: shrimp and grits, Cajun recipe, Southern comfort food, easy dinner, quick recipe