Slow-Simmered Shrimp and Stone-Ground Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-16 · Updated 2026-05-16

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with smoky, spiced shrimp simmered in a flavorful butter and garlic sauce. 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 450 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 tsp salt
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 25-30 minutes until thick and creamy.
2. Step 2: Stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked grits until melted and smooth. Keep warm on low heat.
3. Step 3: Meanwhile, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
4. Step 4: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Cook shrimp for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pink and opaque.
5. Step 5: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley. Serve the shrimp spooned over the cheesy grits immediately.