Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon
Classic Southern comfort food featuring creamy cheddar grits topped with sautéed shrimp and crispy smoked bacon, accented with a touch of garlic and paprika. This Southern-inspired seafood recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs medium shrimp, quick-cooking grits, water 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.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined medium shrimp
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 slices, chopped smoked bacon
- 3, minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3 tbsp butter
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2, thinly sliced green onions
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Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup quick-cooking grits and reduce heat to low. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until thickened.
- Step 2: Stir 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1 tbsp butter into the grits until melted and creamy. Keep warm.
- Step 3: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 chopped slices of smoked bacon until crisp, about 5-6 minutes. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- Step 4: Add 2 tbsp butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the bacon fat in the skillet. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined medium shrimp and 1 tsp paprika to the skillet. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Season with 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 6: To serve, spoon the cheddar grits into bowls, top with the sautéed shrimp, crispy bacon, and 2 thinly sliced green onions.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon?
Refrigerate in a covered airtight container for up to 3–4 days (FDA FoodKeeper guideline for cooked fish). Store any fresh salsa or citrus-based garnish in a separate container — it keeps for up to 2 days. Freeze cooked fish (without fresh garnishes) for up to 3 months; thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently at 275°F until just warmed through to preserve texture.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon?
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 Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon 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 Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Bacon?
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.
