Real Southern Shrimp and Grits
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 ready in about 55 minutes pairs stone-ground grits, water, peeled and deveined 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 cloves, minced garlic
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp, chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tsp lemon zest
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
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?
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 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
- ★★★★★
Simple and delicious.
- ★★★★★
Made with what I had on hand and it still came out great.
- ★★★★☆
Good flavors but the sauce was a bit thin. I'd reduce it longer.
