Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and Grits

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with spiced sautéed shrimp and a smoky tomato gravy for a soulful Southern-inspired meal. This southern american-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 480 calories and feeds 3, 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 3 Southern American cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and creamy.
  2. Step 2: Stir 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the cooked grits until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, toss 12 peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup finely diced yellow onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  5. Step 5: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque, then remove shrimp and set aside.
  6. Step 6: To the same skillet, add 1 cup canned diced tomatoes and 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 5 minutes until flavors meld and sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Step 7: Return shrimp to the skillet and toss to coat in the tomato gravy.
  8. Step 8: Spoon the cheesy grits onto plates, top with the shrimp and tomato gravy, and garnish with 2 tbsp chopped green onions. Serve hot.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and Grits 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 Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and 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 grits from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and 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 Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and Grits for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 3 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 3). 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 Spiced Southern Bistro Shrimp and Grits?

Southern American 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.

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