Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits
Succulent shrimp sautéed in spicy Cajun seasoning, served over creamy stone-ground grits with garlic and herbs for a vibrant Southern dish. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs Stone-ground grits, Water, Salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Stone-ground grits
- 4 cups Water
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined Shrimp
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves, minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup Heavy cream
- 2 tbsp, chopped Fresh chives
- For serving Lemon wedges
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to boil in medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits. Reduce heat to low, cook 25-30 minutes stirring occasionally until thickened and creamy. Keep warm.
- Step 2: Season 1 lb shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Step 3: In same skillet, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and sauté 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in 1/4 cup heavy cream and cook 2 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 4: Return shrimp to skillet, toss to coat, and cook 1 more minute. Stir in 2 tbsp fresh chives.
- Step 5: Divide cooked grits into bowls, top with shrimp mixture, and serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep stone-ground grits from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Cajun Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits?
Southern seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
- ★★★★☆
Very good for a 35-minute recipe. Would bump up the spice level though.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
