Shrimp and Cheesy Grits {Cozy 40-Minute Dinner}
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This Is Our Kind of Shrimp & Grits
I’ve been making this one for years, and it’s still one of Joe’s and my favorites. It feels a little elevated without being complicated. Creamy, smoky, loaded with bacon (always a win), and the shrimp cook fast so you’re not standing at the stove forever. It’s cozy, it’s flavorful, and it’s one we never get tired of.
Here is how it all comes together:
- Simmer stone-ground grits in seasoned stock until thick and tender.
- Melt in butter and cheddar for smooth, creamy cheesy grits.
- Crisp bacon, then cook shrimp quickly in the flavorful fat.
- Sauté shallot and garlic in butter, then add tomatoes to build a fast sauce.
- Toss shrimp and bacon back in, then pile everything over the grits.
It’s a great one to keep in your back pocket when you want something comforting but still a little special. Easy enough for a weeknight, good enough that you’ll want to make it again soon.
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
Shrimp and Cheesy Grits combines creamy stone-ground cheddar grits with bacon-sautéed shrimp, garlic, shallots, and tomatoes for a cozy, flavor-packed dinner.
Equipment
- Medium saucepan or pot
- sharp knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Paper towels
Video
Ingredients
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 3 strips thick-cut bacon chopped
- 2 teaspoons blackening seasoning
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 shallot diced
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes fresh or canned
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Fresh chives or green onions for topping
Cheesy Grits
- 3 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock or water
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 7 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
- 3 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Cheesy Grits
- Add the chicken stock to a medium pot and bring to a low boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the grits, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Reduce the heat to medium-low.
- Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thick and tender.
- Stir in the butter and shredded cheese until melted and smooth. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Shrimp
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped bacon and cook until crispy.
- Remove the bacon and place it on a paper towel–lined plate to drain. Carefully discard half of the bacon fat from the skillet.
- Pat the shrimp dry with paper towels and season evenly with the blackening seasoning.
- Return the skillet to medium-low heat. Add the shrimp and cook for about 2 minutes per side, or until pink and curled. Remove the shrimp from the pan and set aside.
- Add the butter to the skillet, followed by the diced shallot and minced garlic. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, kosher salt, cooked bacon, and shrimp. Cook for another 1 to 2 minutes, just until everything is heated through.
To Serve
- Spoon the cheesy grits into bowls and top with the shrimp mixture. Finish with fresh chives or green onions and serve immediately.
Notes
Tips for the Best Shrimp and Cheesy Grits
- Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning. This helps them sear instead of steaming and keeps the flavor from getting watered down.
- Do not overcook the shrimp. As soon as they curl and turn pink, pull them from the pan. They finish cooking when you add them back at the end.
- Stone-ground grits matter here. They take a little longer, but the texture is creamier and more flavorful than quick grits.
- Season the grits early. Salting the cooking liquid makes a big difference in the final flavor.
- Use freshly shredded cheese if you can. It melts smoother into the grits than pre-shredded cheese.
- Keep the grits warm. If they thicken too much while you finish the shrimp, just stir in a splash of stock to loosen them back up.
Nutrition
Calories: 765kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 47gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 23gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 293mgSodium: 2736mgPotassium: 784mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 1105IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 461mgIron: 2mg
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