The Best Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe – Creamy, Cheesy & Flavorful
This Southern Shrimp and Grits recipe features juicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp, creamy cheesy grits, crispy bacon, sautéed peppers and onions, and a rich garlic-butter sauce. Easy to make and packed with bold Southern flavor, this comforting shrimp and grits recipe is perfect for breakfast, brunch, Sunday dinner, or an impressive weeknight meal.
BREAKFASTCOMFORT FOODQUICK & EASY
8/8/20265 min read
Creamy, buttery, cheesy grits topped with succulent Cajun-seasoned shrimp, crispy bacon, sautéed onions and peppers, and a rich garlic-butter pan sauce. This shrimp and grits recipe is packed with bold Southern flavor and is comforting enough for Sunday dinner while still being easy enough for a weeknight meal.
Recipe Information
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
For the Creamy Cheese Grits
1 cup stone-ground or old-fashioned grits
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, freshly shredded
½ cup Monterey Jack cheese, freshly shredded
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
2 tablespoons heavy cream, optional
For the Shrimp
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ medium yellow onion, finely diced
½ red bell pepper, finely diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
½ cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
1. Season the Shrimp
Pat the shrimp thoroughly dry with paper towels. This helps them sear instead of steaming.
Place the shrimp in a bowl and season with smoked paprika, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
Toss until every shrimp is evenly coated.
2. Make the Grits
Bring the chicken broth and milk to a gentle boil in a medium saucepan.
Slowly whisk in the grits to prevent lumps.
Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and cook according to the package directions, stirring frequently. Stone-ground grits may take around 25–30 minutes.
Once tender and creamy, stir in the butter, cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper.
Continue stirring until the cheese has completely melted.
For extra luxurious grits, stir in the heavy cream.
Taste and adjust the seasoning.
Tip: If the grits become too thick, add a splash of warm chicken broth or milk until they reach a smooth, creamy consistency.
3. Cook the Bacon
While the grits cook, heat a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the chopped bacon and cook until browned and crispy, about 5–7 minutes.
Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 1 tablespoon of bacon grease in the skillet.
4. Sauté the Vegetables
Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet.
Add the diced onion and bell pepper.
Cook for approximately 3–4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
Add the minced garlic and cook for another 30–60 seconds, just until fragrant.
Be careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Cook the Shrimp
Increase the heat to medium-high.
Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
Cook for about 1½–2 minutes per side, depending on their size.
The shrimp should turn pink and opaque and curl into a loose "C" shape.
Avoid overcooking them—they should remain tender and juicy.
Transfer the shrimp to a plate temporarily.
6. Make the Garlic Butter Pan Sauce
Reduce the heat to medium.
Add the remaining tablespoon of butter and the chicken broth to the skillet.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape up the flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
Simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly reduced.
Add the lemon juice and half of the crispy bacon.
Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss gently to coat them in the buttery garlic sauce.
Remove from the heat.
7. Assemble the Shrimp and Grits
Spoon a generous portion of creamy cheese grits into each bowl.
Top with several shrimp and plenty of the garlic-butter pan sauce.
Sprinkle with the remaining crispy bacon and sliced green onions.
Finish with fresh parsley and an optional squeeze of lemon.
Serve immediately while the grits are hot and creamy.
Pro Tips for the Best Shrimp and Grits
1. Use freshly shredded cheese
Freshly shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack melt much more smoothly than pre-shredded cheese and give the grits a silkier texture.
2. Don't overcook the shrimp
Shrimp cook quickly. As soon as they become opaque and form a loose "C" shape, they're generally ready. A tightly curled "O" shape can be a sign they've been overcooked.
3. Dry your shrimp
Patting the shrimp dry before seasoning is an easy trick for getting better browning and deeper flavor.
4. Don't rush the grits
Low and slow is the secret to creamy grits. Stir them frequently so they don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
5. Bacon grease = flavor
Don't throw away all of the bacon grease. Using a little in the skillet creates an incredible foundation for the shrimp.
6. Balance the richness
The lemon juice might seem like a small addition, but it cuts through the richness of the butter, bacon, cheese, and cream and keeps the dish from tasting heavy.
7. Adjust the heat
For mild shrimp and grits, reduce or omit the cayenne. For a spicy version, increase the cayenne or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
8. Serve immediately
Grits thicken quickly as they cool. If you're not serving them right away, keep them warm and stir in a splash of milk or broth before plating.
Estimated Nutritional Facts
Per serving, based on 4 servings:
Calories: ~720
Protein: ~42g
Carbohydrates: ~55g
Fat: ~38g
Saturated Fat: ~20g
Cholesterol: ~290mg
Sodium: ~1,450mg
Fiber: ~3g
Sugar: ~6g
Nutrition information is an estimate and will vary depending on the specific brands, portion sizes, type of grits, cheese, bacon, and seasonings used.
Closing Remarks
This Southern Shrimp and Grits recipe brings together everything you want in a comforting meal: creamy, cheesy grits, juicy seasoned shrimp, crispy smoky bacon, tender vegetables, and a buttery garlic pan sauce with just enough lemon to brighten every bite.
The secret is building flavor in layers—from the bacon and sautéed vegetables to the seasoned shrimp and flavorful pan sauce. Spoon that delicious sauce over the creamy grits, and you have a restaurant-quality meal that's incredibly satisfying.
One bite of these shrimp and grits, and you'll understand why this Southern classic has stood the test of time!
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