Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-01 · Updated 2026-06-01

A comforting Southern U.S. dish featuring creamy stone-ground grits topped with spicy Cajun-seasoned shrimp sautéed with garlic and bell peppers. This Southern US-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 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 420 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 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and creamy.
2. Step 2: Stir 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked grits until melted and smooth; keep warm.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1/2 cup diced green bell pepper and 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper to the skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until softened but still vibrant.
5. Step 5: Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, then add to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
6. Step 6: Remove skillet from heat, stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Spoon shrimp and peppers over the creamy grits and serve immediately.