Seared Coastal Shrimp with Spicy Georgia Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-16 · Updated 2026-06-16

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Juicy shrimp seared with garlic and smoked paprika, served atop creamy, spicy stone-ground grits inspired by Georgia’s coastal flavors. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs large shrimp, peeled and deveined, kosher salt, black pepper 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 35 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 430 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 tsp smoked paprika
3, minced garlic cloves
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tbsp unsalted butter
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives

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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, and simmer gently for 25-30 minutes, stirring frequently until thick and creamy.
Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and salt to taste into the cooked grits. Keep warm.
Step 3: While grits cook, season 1 lb peeled shrimp with 1 tsp kosher salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tsp smoked paprika.
Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5: Add the seasoned shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque with a slight sear.
Step 6: Spoon the spicy cheddar grits onto plates and top with the seared shrimp. Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh chives before serving.