Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Green Onions

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with spicy sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon, and fresh green onions for a classic Southern comfort dish. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 40 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 520 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Southern cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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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. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy.
  2. Step 2: When grits are done, stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 tbsp unsalted butter until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
  3. Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 6 chopped bacon slices until crispy, about 6-8 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving bacon drippings in the skillet.
  4. Step 4: Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet with drippings. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp, 3 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until shrimp turn pink and are cooked through. Stir in 1 tbsp lemon juice and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  5. Step 5: To serve, spoon cheesy grits into bowls, top with sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon, and 4 thinly sliced green onions.

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