Carolina Shrimp & Grits (Printable Version)

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with succulent shrimp, crispy bacon, and a flavorful pan sauce in this Southern classic.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grits

01 - 180 g stone-ground grits
02 - 720 ml water
03 - 240 ml whole milk
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 60 g sharp cheddar cheese, grated
06 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
07 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Shrimp & Sauce

08 - 450 g large shrimp, peeled and deveined
09 - Salt and pepper, to taste
10 - 1 tsp Cajun seasoning (optional)
11 - 4 slices thick-cut bacon, diced
12 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
13 - 1 small bell pepper, diced
14 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
15 - 60 ml chicken broth or seafood stock
16 - 1 tbsp lemon juice
17 - 2 tbsp chopped green onions (for garnish)
18 - 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a saucepan, bring water, milk, and salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring frequently, until thick and creamy. Stir in butter, cheese, and black pepper. Keep warm.
02 - Meanwhile, season shrimp with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning if using.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook diced bacon until crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving drippings in the pan.
04 - Sauté onion and bell pepper in bacon fat until soft, about 4–5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
05 - Add shrimp to the skillet and cook 1–2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
06 - Deglaze pan with broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits. Return bacon to skillet and stir to combine. Simmer briefly.
07 - Spoon grits into bowls, top with shrimp mixture, and garnish with green onions and parsley.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Ready in just 45 minutes for a restaurant-quality meal at home
  • Uses simple ingredients that create incredible depth of flavor
  • Naturally gluten-free comfort food that feels special enough for company
02 -
  • Authentic Carolina shrimp and grits always uses stone-ground grits not instant or quick-cooking varieties
  • The dish is incredibly versatile adapt the seasonings to your family's taste preferences
  • Stone-ground grits have a wonderful natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with seafood
03 -
  • Let your grits rest covered for 5 minutes after cooking this allows them to further thicken and develop flavor
  • Cook shrimp with their tails on for extra flavor in the sauce just remove before serving for easier eating
  • For restaurant quality presentation start with a base of grits create a well in the center and arrange the shrimp in a circular pattern

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