Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Sausage
Creamy stone-ground grits topped with spicy shrimp sautéed with smoked sausage and a flavorful broth reduction. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 40 minutes pairs stone-ground grits, water, unsalted butter 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
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 6 oz smoked sausage, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- 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 20-25 minutes until thickened.
- Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the grits until melted and creamy. Keep warm.
- Step 3: While grits cook, heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 6 oz sliced smoked sausage and cook for 4-5 minutes until browned and crispy on edges.
- Step 4: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning to the sausage, sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Step 5: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined shrimp to the sausage mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque.
- Step 6: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and cook for another 2 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly.
- Step 7: Remove skillet from heat and stir in 2 sliced green onions and 2 tbsp chopped parsley.
- Step 8: Spoon creamy grits onto plates and top with the shrimp and sausage mixture. Serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Sausage?
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 grits from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern-Style Shrimp and Grits with Smoked Sausage?
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 Sausage 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 Sausage?
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.
