Go Back
A close-up shot of creamy, cheesy grits being stirred in a saucepan, showing their rich and smooth texture.

Shrimp and Grits Recipe: The Ultimate Southern Classic

Discover the ultimate Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe! This dish features perfectly creamy, cheesy grits topped with savory, bacon-infused shrimp for a comforting and flavor-packed meal that's ready in under an hour.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Brunch, Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, Southern
Calories: 680
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Creamy Grits
  • 1 cup stone-ground yellow grits not instant or quick grits
  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups whole milk
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese freshly grated
  • 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper or to taste
For the Savory Shrimp
  • 1.5 lbs large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 4 slices bacon chopped
  • 1 shallot finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Cajun seasoning
  • 1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice freshly squeezed
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • 1 Large Skillet
  • 1 Medium Saucepan
  • 1 Whisk

Instructions
 

Cook the Grits
  1. In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Slowly whisk in the grits until no lumps remain. Reduce the heat to low, cover the saucepan, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes, until the grits are thick and tender.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and grated cheddar cheese until fully melted and incorporated. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep covered while you prepare the shrimp.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. While the grits are cooking, place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving the bacon fat in the skillet.
  2. Add the chopped shallot to the skillet and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
  3. In a bowl, toss the shrimp with the Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until pink and cooked through.
  4. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley.
  5. To serve, divide the cheesy grits among four bowls. Top with the shrimp and sauce, then garnish with the crispy bacon bits.

Notes

Don't Rush the Grits: For the creamiest texture, cook grits low and slow, stirring often.
Use Freshly Grated Cheese: It melts much better than pre-shredded cheese and results in a smoother texture.
Don't Overcook the Shrimp: Shrimp cook very quickly. Remove them from the heat as soon as they turn pink and opaque to keep them tender.
QR Code linking back to recipe