Description
Shrimp and Grits is a Southern classic combining creamy, buttery grits with tender, seasoned shrimp cooked in a savory sauce. It’s a comforting and flavorful dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 4 slices beef, chopped
- 1 small onion, diced
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions (for garnish)
- Lemon wedges for serving
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring water (or broth) and milk to a boil. Stir in grits and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring often, until thick and creamy (about 20–25 minutes).
- Stir in butter, cheese, salt, and pepper. Cover and keep warm.
- In a large skillet, cook beef over medium heat until crispy. Remove and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
- Add onion and bell pepper to the skillet and sauté until softened. Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute more.
- Season shrimp with smoked paprika, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Add to skillet with olive oil and cook 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Return cooked beef to the skillet and stir to combine with shrimp mixture.
- Spoon creamy grits into bowls and top with shrimp and sauce from the skillet.
- Garnish with green onions and serve with lemon wedges.
Notes
- For extra creaminess, use half-and-half instead of milk in the grits.
- Adjust spice level by reducing or omitting cayenne pepper.
- Stone-ground grits work best, but quick grits can be substituted for a faster version.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 235mg
