Southern Cajun-Spiced Shrimp and Grits

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

Tender shrimp coated with a vibrant Cajun spice blend served atop creamy, cheesy stone-ground grits for a classic soulful Southern delight. This Southern American-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs large shrimp, Cajun seasoning, olive oil 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 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
• 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 tbsp unsalted butter
• 3 cloves, minced garlic cloves
• 1 cup stone-ground grits
• 4 cups water
• 1 cup, shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 stalks, thinly sliced green onions
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black 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 medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and creamy.
2. Step 2: Stir 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper into the grits until melted and smooth. Cover and keep warm.
3. Step 3: Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning ensuring an even coating.
4. Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred on edges. Remove shrimp and set aside.
5. Step 5: In the same skillet, melt 1 tbsp unsalted butter and add 3 minced garlic cloves, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
6. Step 6: Return the shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the garlic butter sauce. Remove from heat.
7. Step 7: Spoon the cheesy grits onto plates, top with the Cajun shrimp, and garnish with 2 thinly sliced green onions for a soulful seafood meal.