Get ready to experience Southern comfort at its finest with this Creamy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits recipe! It’s like getting a warm hug from your kitchen, packed with flavor that’ll make your taste buds dance.
This dish is the epitome of Southern cooking. It’s hearty, soulful, and downright irresistible. It’s a classic Southern staple that’ll soon become a regular on your menu.
What are Grits?
Grits are a staple food in Southern cuisine, made from coarsely ground corn kernels that are boiled to a creamy consistency. They have a similar texture to porridge or polenta.
Grits can be enjoyed as a savory side dish, often flavored with butter, cheese, bacon and/or shrimp, as in the case of shrimp and grits. They can also be served as a breakfast dish, sometimes topped with eggs or served alongside biscuits.
For shrimp and grits, the best type of grits to use are typically stone-ground grits or regular yellow grits. These varieties offer a coarser texture and richer flavor compared to instant grits, which can sometimes lack depth.
Stone-ground grits, in particular, are known for their hearty texture and nutty flavor, making them an excellent choice for complimenting the savory shrimp and sauce in this Southern dish.
Why You Should Make this Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe
- Easy Prep: With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, this recipe is a breeze to make, even for beginners.
- Flavor-Packed: From the zesty Cajun seasoning to the rich creaminess of the cheese, every bite is packed with mouthwatering flavor.
- Versatile: Serve it up for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Easily adjust the spice level to your liking.
- Comfort Food at Its Finest: There’s nothing quite like the warm, comforting flavors of shrimp and grits to soothe the soul and satisfy your cravings.
Ingredients
- Stone-Ground Grits: Substitute with yellow stone-ground grits, or these Unicorn Grits, I used in this recipe. Alternatively, use quick cooking grits (adjust timing, accordingly).
- Peeled and Deveined Shrimp: Substitute with peeled and deveined prawns or crawfish, for a similar seafood flavor.
- Chicken Stock: Substitute with vegetable stock or seafood stock.
- Cream Cheese: Substitute with mascarpone cheese, or sour cream for a tangy twist.
- Cheddar Cheese: Substitute with Monterey Jack or Gouda cheese for a milder flavor, or Swiss cheese for a nuttier taste.
- Red/Orange Bell Pepper: Substitute with green bell pepper for a slightly different flavor, or poblano pepper for a bit of heat.
- Bacon: Substitute with smoked sausage or andouille, for a different smoky flavor.
- Seasoning: Adjust the seasoning and spice level to your liking.
How to Prepare Creamy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits
Preparing Creamy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits is all about timing, and by following this recipe diligently, you can ensure that everything comes together perfectly. Each component of the dish requires its own attention and cooking time, but with careful coordination, you’ll achieve a harmonious blend of flavors and textures in every bite.
- Marinate the shrimp while you prepare other ingredients.
- Begin crisping up the bacon in a pan.
- Bring chicken stock to a boil and start cooking the grits with butter, cream and a pinch of salt.
- Once the bacon is crisp, sauté the shrimp and bell peppers in the same pan as the bacon.
- Finish off the grits by adding cheese, cream cheese and butter.
- Simmer the shrimp and peppers in a sauce for a few until thickened.
How to Serve and Store Shrimp and Grits
- Serve this shrimp and grits dish piping hot with a side of freshly baked cornbread for the ultimate Southern feast.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave before serving with a touch of stock or cream.
More Southern Recipes to Love
- Southern Crockpot Black-Eyed Peas
- Buttermilk Southern Fried Oysters
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Chicken and Waffles
- Jalapeño Cheddar Skillet Cornbread\
- Oyster Dressing
- Blueberry Biscuits
Creamy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Get ready to experience the heart and soul of Southern cuisine with this Creamy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits recipe! It’s a dish that’s as comforting as a warm hug, that’s bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
- 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon, diced
- 1 cup white grits
- 4 cups chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1 cup whipping cream, divided
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 3/4 cup red/orange bell pepper, diced small
- 1 tablespoon fresh chopped parsley, plus more for garnish
- Cracked black pepper, for garnish
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the shrimp with paprika, Cajun seasoning, Old Bay, salt, black pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. Refrigerate to marinate.
- Dice the bacon and start crisping it up in a cast iron pan.
- In a pot, bring the chicken stock to a boil.
- Add in the grits, two tablespoons of butter, 1/4 cup heavy cream and a pinch of salt. Whisk together and reduce heat. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring often.
- Once the bacon is crisp, remove from the pan and reserve.
- In the same pan used for bacon, leave two tablespoons of bacon fat. Add in the diced bell pepper and reserved shrimp. Sauté until the shrimp are just opaque and peppers are slightly colored.
- Pour in remaining heavy cream and fresh parsley. Simmer a few minutes, until thickened.
- Finish grits by stirring in the shredded cheese, cream cheese and remaining butter. Taste for salt.
- Spoon the creamy cheesy grits into individual bowls.
- Pour the shrimp mixture over the grits.
- Top with crispy bacon, fresh parsley and cracked black pepper.
- Serve immediately.
- ENJOY!
Notes
- Marinate the shrimp in advance to allow them to absorb the flavors of the seasonings.
- Adjust the seasonings to your preference and heat level.
- Use stone-ground or regular yellow grits for the best texture and flavor.
- Cook the bacon until crispy to add a crunch element to the dish.
- Stir the grits regularly while simmering to prevent sticking and ensure a creamy consistency.
- Cook the shrimp and bell peppers in the same pan used for the bacon to infuse them with smoky flavor.
- Finish the grits with cheese, cream cheese and butter for a creamy and flavorful base.
- Taste the grits for salt.
- Simmer the shrimp and peppers in the sauce for a few minutes, until thickened.
- Serve immediately to enjoy this shrimp and grits dish at its freshest, and most flavorful.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Easy
- Cuisine: Southern
GET TO KNOW ME!
WELCOME! My name is Melissa Latin aka. Charlotte Fashion Plate. Happy to meet you! I am more than just recipes. I love fashion and style too! Most importantly, I love my Family (my Hubby and my Fur Babies). My Husband (aka my “Kitchen Bitch”) means the world to me. He’s pretty damn cool too. Not only is he one of the nicest guys you will ever meet, he also has had a lengthy career in professional hockey. Not only winning two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the early ’90’s, but most recently winning the Calder Cup with the Charlotte Checkers, amongst many other accolades. If you live in Charlotte and play hockey, or have a family member who plays, be sure to contact him!
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2 Comments
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