Southern Shrimp and Grits Recipe – Comfort Food with a Kick
Ingredients
- For the Grits
- 2 cups water
- 1 14.5 oz can chicken broth (fat-free, low-sodium)
- ¾ cup half-and-half
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup white grits
- ¾ cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- ½ teaspoon Tabasco sauce (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper
- For the Shrimp Mixture
- 3 slices bacon
- 1 lb shrimp (21-25 count, peeled and deveined)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup flour
- 1 cup mushrooms (sliced)
- ½ cup green onion (sliced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup chicken broth (fat-free, low-sodium)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon Tabasco sauce (or more, you spicy daredevil)
- Garnish
- Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Make the Grits
- Combine water, chicken broth, half-and-half, and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil like you’re summoning the flavor gods.
- Gradually whisk in the grits—no lumps allowed! Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened to perfection.
- Stir in cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, butter, Tabasco sauce, and white pepper. Mix until everything melts together into creamy, cheesy bliss. Keep it warm while you prep the shrimp.
- Step 2: Cook the Bacon
- In a large skillet, cook the bacon until it’s crispy enough to make you want to snack on it immediately. Resist! Remove the bacon, crumble it, and set it aside.
- Keep 1 tablespoon of those magical bacon drippings in the skillet because that’s where the flavor party happens.
- Step 3: Cook the Shrimp Mixture
- Season the shrimp with black pepper and salt, then dredge them lightly in flour. They’re about to be golden and gorgeous.
- In the skillet with the bacon drippings, sauté the mushrooms for about 5 minutes, or until they’re tender. Add green onions and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Toss in the shrimp and garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes, just until the shrimp start to brown lightly.
- Pour in chicken broth, lemon juice, and Tabasco sauce. Stir to scrape up the browned bits from the skillet (that’s pure flavor gold) and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Assemble and Serve
- Spoon the grits into 4 large, shallow bowls because this dish deserves to be shown off.
- Divide the shrimp mixture evenly over the grits, then sprinkle each serving with the crumbled bacon.
- Garnish with lemon wedges for an extra zesty kick.
Notes
This Southern shrimp and grits recipe is creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold flavors. Whether you’re feeding a skeptic or a shrimp enthusiast, this dish will turn everyone into a fan. Pro tip: Don’t forget the hot sauce—it’s the hero we all deserve!