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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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