Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Grits Bowl

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-05 · Updated 2026-05-05

This American Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 25 minutes, pairs medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, instant grits, water for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 3, 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

• 12 oz medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 cup instant grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 piece lemon wedge

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 to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup instant grits and 1 tsp salt. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes until thickened.
2. Step 2: Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and creamy.
3. Step 3: While grits cook, toss 12 oz peeled and deveined medium shrimp with 1 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
5. Step 5: Serve shrimp over the creamy grits and squeeze 1 lemon wedge over the top before serving.