Description
Shrimp and Grits is a Southern comfort food classic made with creamy stone-ground grits, buttery garlic shrimp, and sharp cheddar cheese. This easy and savory recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or brunches, packed with bold flavor and ready in under an hour. Learn how to make the best shrimp and grits from scratch with fresh ingredients.
Ingredients
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 cup stone-ground grits
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups milk
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
4 tablespoons butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon paprika
salt, to taste
black pepper, to taste
Instructions
1. In a saucepan, bring chicken broth and milk to a gentle boil.
2. Slowly whisk in stone-ground grits to avoid clumping.
3. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes until creamy.
4. Stir in butter and sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth.
5. Season grits with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm.
6. In a skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add garlic.
7. Cook garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant.
8. Add shrimp and season with paprika, salt, and black pepper.
9. Cook shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
10. Squeeze lemon juice over shrimp and stir to combine.
11. Spoon grits into bowls, top with shrimp and pan sauce.
12. Garnish with herbs or green onion if desired.
Notes
Creamier grits? Use more milk during cooking.
Spicy version? Add cayenne pepper or hot sauce to the shrimp.
Don’t overcook shrimp—they turn rubbery fast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 185mg