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A plate of Southern shrimp and grits with a rich sauce and fresh garnishes.

Shrimp and Grits (Southern) (3 ways)

This recipe explores three variations of the classic Southern dish, Shrimp and Grits, offering diverse flavor profiles while maintaining the core comfort food essence.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 4 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Medium saucepan
  • Whisk
  • Large skillet
  • Spatula
  • Bowls

Ingredients
  

Grits

  • 1 cup Grits (quick-cooking or stone-ground)
  • 4 cups Water or milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon Salt
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded optional

Shrimp Base

  • 1 pound Large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 slices Bacon chopped
  • 1/2 cup Onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup Chicken or vegetable broth

Flavor Variation 1: Classic

  • 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Parsley, fresh, chopped

Flavor Variation 2: Spicy Cajun

  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon Hot sauce or to taste

Flavor Variation 3: Creamy Tomato

  • 1/2 cup Diced tomatoes, canned undrained

Instructions
 

Make the Grits

  • In a medium saucepan, combine water or milk and salt; bring to a boil. Gradually whisk in grits, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until creamy and tender (20-30 minutes for stone-ground, 5-7 minutes for quick-cooking); stir in butter and cheese, if using, until melted and smooth.

Prepare the Shrimp Base

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crisp; remove bacon and set aside, reserving 1-2 tablespoons of bacon fat in the skillet. Add onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 3-5 minutes, then stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant; add shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.

Finish with Flavor Variations

  • For Classic: Stir lemon juice and fresh parsley into the shrimp mixture; sprinkle with reserved crispy bacon.
  • For Spicy Cajun: Stir Cajun seasoning and hot sauce into the shrimp mixture; sprinkle with reserved crispy bacon.
  • For Creamy Tomato: Stir diced tomatoes into the shrimp mixture and simmer for 5 minutes; sprinkle with reserved crispy bacon.

Serve

  • Spoon grits into bowls and top with your chosen shrimp variation.

Notes

The cooking time for grits can vary significantly depending on whether you use quick-cooking or stone-ground varieties. Adjust liquid amounts as needed to achieve your desired consistency. For a richer flavor in the grits, you can use chicken broth instead of water. Enjoy experimenting with different cheeses or adding a splash of cream to the grits for extra richness.