Real Southern Shrimp and Grits

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with plump shrimp in a smoky, buttery sauce with a hint of cayenne for authentic Southern comfort. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 55 minutes, pairs stone-ground grits, water, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 680 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 680 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil; slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened to a creamy consistency—add more water if too thick.
  2. Step 2: While grits cook, melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 lb shrimp and cook for 2 minutes until pink. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, 1/2 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp cayenne; cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir 1/2 cup heavy cream into the shrimp mixture, simmering gently for 3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped parsley and 1 tsp lemon zest. Spoon creamy grits into bowls and top with shrimp and sauce, ensuring each serving has equal portions of shrimp and sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Real Southern Shrimp and Grits take to make?

Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Real Southern Shrimp and Grits?

Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.

Can I substitute ingredients in Real Southern 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 Real Southern 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 Real Southern Shrimp and Grits?

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

Related recipes