Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions
Creamy, cheesy grits topped with sautéed shrimp, smoky bacon, and fresh scallions for a classic Southern seafood delight. This American Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs stone-ground grits, water, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 6 bacon strips
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 cup fresh scallions, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered, stirring frequently, for 25-30 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Step 2: Stir in 3 tablespoons unsalted butter and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked grits until melted and smooth. Keep warm over very low heat.
- Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 bacon strips until crisp, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon to paper towels and crumble once cooled. Leave 1 tablespoon bacon fat in the skillet.
- Step 4: Add 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet with bacon fat and heat over medium-high. Add 1 pound peeled and deveined shrimp, 3 minced garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Sauté shrimp for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and crumbled bacon.
- Step 6: Serve shrimp mixture spooned over the cheesy grits and garnish with 1/2 cup thinly sliced fresh scallions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 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 Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions?
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 Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions?
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 Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions 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 Shrimp and Cheese Grits with Smoky Bacon and Scallions?
American 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.
