Shrimp and Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with succulent shrimp and a smoky cheese sauce, finished with a hint of bourbon. 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 400 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
• 4 oz, grated smoked gouda
• 2 oz, grated cheddar cheese
• 1 tbsp bourbon
• 1 small, diced onion
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 2 stalks, diced celery
• 1 tsp, fresh thyme
• to taste salt
• to taste pepper

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large pot, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 15 minutes until thickened, stirring frequently.
2. Step 2: In a skillet, sauté onion, garlic, and celery over medium heat for 5 minutes until softened. Add shrimp, thyme, salt, and pepper, cooking for 3 minutes until opaque.
3. Step 3: Stir in smoked gouda and cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Add bourbon and cook for 1 minute until bubbly.
4. Step 4: Fold shrimp mixture into grits, then serve immediately with additional cheese and bourbon on top.