Description
This Easy Shrimp and Grits recipe combines creamy, cheesy stone-ground grits with garlicky, smoky shrimp for a Southern comfort dish that’s rich, flavorful, and ready in under 30 minutes. Perfect for brunch or a cozy dinner.
Ingredients
1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tablespoon olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
0.25 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 half lemon, juiced
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
1. Bring the water and salt to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly whisk in grits, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. When thick and creamy, stir in butter and cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
3. In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, garlic, paprika, cayenne (optional), salt, and pepper.
4. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and cook shrimp 1–2 minutes per side until opaque and pink.
5. Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp and remove from heat.
6. Spoon cheesy grits into bowls, top with shrimp, sprinkle parsley, and serve.
Notes
Use stone-ground grits for the best texture and flavor.
Add crispy bacon or Andouille sausage for a smoky twist.
Reheat leftover grits with a splash of milk or broth for creaminess.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 190mg
Keywords: shrimp and grits, southern dinner, easy shrimp recipe