Creamy Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits
A hearty Southern-inspired dish combining tender shrimp sautéed with smoky spices and served over creamy cheese grits. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 25 minutes pairs peeled and deveined medium shrimp, quick-cooking grits, shredded sharp cheddar cheese for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 430 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, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 1/2 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Step 1: Bring 4 cups chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup quick-cooking grits, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and 1/2 cup heavy cream into the cooked grits until smooth and creamy. Season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
- Step 3: While grits cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp to the skillet, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Serve the shrimp over the creamy grits and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamy Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits take to make?
Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 Creamy Southern-Style 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 quick-cooking grits from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Creamy Southern-Style 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 Creamy Southern-Style 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 Creamy Southern-Style 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.
