Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground Grits
Creamy stone-ground grits topped with locally caught shrimp and a smoky bacon-infused butter sauce. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 60 minutes pairs stone-ground white grits, water, smoked bacon for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 510 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 white grits
- 4 cups water
- 4 oz smoked bacon
- 12 oz shrimp
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tbsp chopped chives
- 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 white grits, reduce heat to low, and cook uncovered for 30 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Step 2: Cook 4 oz smoked bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp, remove bacon, and reserve 1 tbsp bacon fat in the skillet.
- Step 3: Add 12 oz shrimp to the bacon fat, cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, melt 2 tbsp butter over medium heat, add 2 minced garlic cloves, and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Stir 1 tsp lemon zest into the butter-garlic mixture, then add 1/4 cup of the cooked grits to the skillet to create a sauce, cooking for 2 minutes until thickened and bubbling.
- Step 6: Divide grits between bowls, top with shrimp and bacon, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped chives.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground Grits take to make?
Total time is about 60 minutes (15 min prep + 45 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 Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground 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 white grits from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground 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 Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground 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 Smoked Shrimp & Stone-Ground Grits with Stone-Ground 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
- ★★★★★
The flavors in this smoked are incredible.
- ★★★★☆
Really good but took about 10 minutes longer than stated.
- ★★★★☆
Nice recipe! Presentation was beautiful. Flavor was good, not great.
