Soul-Warming Southern Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Comfort meets coastal charm in this soul-warming southern style shrimp and grits recipe that brings the flavors of the South straight to your dinner table.

Every creamy, savory spoonful tells a story of culinary tradition and home-cooked love.

Plump, juicy shrimp nestle into a bed of smooth, buttery grits, creating a harmony of textures that dance on your palate.

The dish combines simple ingredients with bold seasonings that pack a delightful punch of flavor.

Rich and satisfying, this classic Southern comfort meal transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable dining experience.

Crispy bacon and a sprinkle of green onions add the perfect finishing touch to this irresistible Southern classic.

Dive into this recipe and let your taste buds embark on a delicious Southern journey.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 3

All Ingredients For Southern Style Shrimp And Grits

• Grits: Smooth, stone-ground corn base that creates rich, comforting foundation with delightful Southern charm.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and savory complexity to grits, enhancing overall flavor profile.
• Heavy Cream: Provides luxurious silkiness and extra richness to the dish.
• Cheddar Cheese: Delivers sharp, tangy notes that elevate the entire grits texture.
• Butter: Brings smooth, velvety finish and enhances overall creaminess.

• Shrimp: Fresh, sweet seafood that brings coastal Southern authenticity to the plate.
• Bacon: Crispy, smoky element that adds incredible depth and traditional Southern character.
• Onion: Provides sweet, foundational flavor to build complex taste layers.
• Bell Pepper: Adds vibrant color and subtle crisp freshness to the dish.
• Garlic: Introduces robust, aromatic punch that complements seafood perfectly.

• Smoked Paprika: Delivers gentle smokiness and warm, earthy undertones.
• Cayenne Pepper: Introduces subtle heat and Southern spice kick.
• Hot Sauce: Optional fiery enhancement for those craving extra zest.
• Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh garnish that adds visual appeal and light herbal note.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasoning to balance and elevate all flavors.

Tools To Make Southern Style Shrimp And Grits

• Medium Saucepan: Perfect for cooking creamy, smooth grits with precision.
• Large Skillet: Essential for sautéing bacon, vegetables, and cooking shrimp with rich flavor.
• Slotted Spoon: Helps remove crispy bacon while keeping delicious bacon fat in the pan.
• Whisk: Creates smooth, lump-free grits by incorporating ingredients seamlessly.
• Cutting Board: Provides clean surface for chopping bacon, onions, and bell peppers.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise chopping of ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Ideal for stirring grits and mixing shrimp mixture.
• Measuring Cups/Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities for perfect taste.

Steps To Cook Southern Style Shrimp And Grits

• Grits Foundation

Prepare a silky base by simmering liquid and slowly incorporating grits, stirring until they transform into a luxurious, velvety texture. Enhance with rich dairy and sharp cheese for incredible depth of flavor.

• Flavor Builders

In a sizzling skillet, render bacon until golden and crispy, creating a smoky landscape. Use the rendered fat to caramelize onions and bell peppers, releasing their sweet aromatics. Introduce garlic for an extra flavor punch.

• Shrimp Symphony

Introduce succulent shrimp to the pan, seasoning with warming spices that dance with the seafood’s natural sweetness. Allow shrimp to gently cook until they curl and blush pink. Create a luscious sauce by deglazing with broth and swirling in butter for silky richness.

• Elegant Presentation

Ladle the creamy grits into welcoming bowls, crown with the spiced shrimp mixture. Scatter crispy bacon fragments and fresh herbs across the top for a burst of color and texture.

• Table Ready

Serve immediately while everything radiates warmth and temptation, inviting everyone to dive into this soulful Southern classic.

Helpful Tips For Southern Style Shrimp And Grits

• Creamy Grit Mastery: Use stone-ground grits for richer, more authentic texture and deeper corn flavor that elevates the entire dish.
• Shrimp Perfection Technique: Pat shrimp completely dry before cooking to ensure beautiful caramelization and prevent watery sauce, creating restaurant-quality results.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Replace wheat-based ingredients with gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch for thickening and ensure bacon is certified gluten-free for celiac-friendly preparation.
• Spice Level Control: Adjust cayenne and hot sauce quantities to match personal heat preferences – start with small amounts and gradually increase for balanced flavor without overwhelming the palate.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute heavy cream with coconut milk, use nutritional yeast instead of cheddar cheese, and swap butter with olive oil to create a delicious lactose-free version that maintains the dish's rich, comforting essence.

Serving Southern Style Shrimp And Grits With Charm

• Creamy Comfort Combo: Pair the shrimp and grits with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the rich, creamy dish.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Serve alongside warm, buttery cornbread or crusty French bread to soak up the delicious sauce and add a delightful texture contrast.
• Wine Pairing Perfection: Complement the dish with a chilled glass of unoaked Chardonnay or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc to enhance the flavors and cut through the richness of the grits and shrimp.
• Southern Brunch Twist: Transform this recipe into a weekend brunch showstopper by adding a poached egg on top and serving with fresh mimosas for a classic Southern-style meal.

Storage Tips For Southern Style Shrimp And Grits

• Smart Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftover shrimp and grits separately in airtight containers within the refrigerator. Grits tend to thicken when cold, so gently reheat with a splash of chicken broth or cream to restore creamy consistency.
• Quick Reheating Technique: Warm the grits and shrimp separately to maintain optimal texture. Use microwave for 30-45 seconds, stirring midway, or gently reheat in a skillet with minimal additional liquid to prevent overcooking the shrimp.
• Freshness Window: Consume refrigerated shrimp and grits within 1-2 days for best quality and food safety. Check for any unusual odors or discoloration before reheating, which indicates potential spoilage.
• Freezing Considerations: While possible to freeze, grits might separate upon thawing. If freezing, store shrimp mixture separately from grits. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat carefully to prevent rubbery shrimp texture.

Hearty Southern Style Shrimp And Grits Recipe

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4.8 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Southern shrimp and grits offer a classic comfort dish from coastal kitchens. Creamy stone-ground grits provide a rich base for succulent Gulf shrimp, delivering authentic Southern charm. Diners will savor each hearty, flavorful bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 cups water or chicken broth (236 ml or 960 ml)
• 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
• 1 cup chicken broth (240 ml)
• 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 2 tbsps unsalted butter
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped (red or green)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp hot sauce
• 2 tbsps fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

1. Grits Preparation: Create a creamy base by boiling liquid, gradually adding grits while reducing heat. Continuously stir until achieving a smooth consistency. Blend in cream, cheddar, butter, and seasonings, maintaining a warm temperature.
2. Bacon and Vegetable Sauté: Crisp bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden. Remove bacon pieces, reserving drippings. Sauté diced onions and bell peppers in the same skillet until soft and translucent.
3. Shrimp Cooking: Add minced garlic to the skillet, allowing its fragrance to develop. Introduce seasoned shrimp with paprika and cayenne, searing until they transform to a vibrant pink, signaling perfect cooking.
4. Sauce Development: Deglaze the skillet with chicken broth, scraping up concentrated flavors. Reduce liquid slightly to create a rich sauce. Incorporate butter and optional hot sauce for enhanced depth and complexity.
5. Plating and Garnishing: Transfer silky grits to serving dishes, topping with the shrimp mixture. Sprinkle crispy bacon fragments over the dish. Accent with fresh parsley for a bright, final touch.
6. Serving: Deliver immediately to preserve optimal temperature and textural integrity of this quintessential Southern comfort dish.

Notes

• Prevent Gritty Texture: Continuously whisk grits during cooking to eliminate lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy consistency that melts in your mouth.
• Shrimp Doneness Trick: Watch for the telltale pink color and gentle curl – overcooking transforms tender shrimp into rubbery, tough morsels that lose their delicate flavor.
• Bacon Flavor Maximization: Save those crispy bacon drippings as liquid gold – they’ll infuse the entire dish with deep, smoky undertones that elevate the entire recipe.
• Low-Carb Adaptation: Swap traditional grits with cauliflower rice or mashed cauliflower for a keto-friendly version that maintains the dish’s rich, comforting essence without sacrificing taste.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dinner
• Method: Boiling
• Cuisine: Southern American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 900 mg
• Fat: 32 g
• Saturated Fat: 16 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 180 mg