Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake
A Southern-inspired dish combining creamy stone-ground grits, succulent shrimp, and a rich bacon-infused sauce, baked to golden perfection. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 50 minutes pairs stone-ground grits, shrimp, peeled and deveined, bacon, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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
- 12 oz shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp green onions, chopped
- to taste salt and pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a large pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add grits and 1/2 tsp salt, reduce heat, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in milk, cream, and 1/4 tsp pepper.
- Step 2: In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on paper towels. In the same skillet, sauté shrimp for 2-3 minutes until pink and opaque. Add cooked bacon and green onions; mix gently.
- Step 3: Transfer grits to a baking dish. Top with shrimp mixture and shredded cheese. Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (20 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 Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake?
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 Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake?
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 Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake 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 Low Country Shrimp and Grits Bake?
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
- ★★★★★
My partner, who's usually picky, absolutely loved this.
- ★★★★★
I've tried many seafood recipes and this is hands down the best.
- ★★★★☆
Solid recipe. Not groundbreaking but definitely making it again.
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