Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Grits
Succulent shrimp tossed in bold Cajun spices served over creamy, buttery grits for a soulful Southern classic. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs large, peeled and deveined shrimp, olive oil, Cajun seasoning for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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 lb large, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 3 minced garlic cloves
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 sliced for garnish green onions
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Step 2: Stir 3 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked grits until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
- Step 3: While grits cook, toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 4: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the shrimp mixture. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp are opaque and slightly charred.
- Step 5: Add 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet in the last minute of cooking and sauté until fragrant.
- Step 6: Serve the Cajun-spiced shrimp over the creamy cheese grits and garnish with 2 sliced green onions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Grits take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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-Spiced Shrimp and 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 olive oil from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and 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-Spiced Shrimp and 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-Spiced Shrimp and Grits?
American 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.
