Spicy Blackened Shrimp and Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-06-17 · Updated 2026-06-17

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 blackened shrimp tossed in a spicy Cajun seasoning. This American-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 400 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 American cuisine 400 cal/serving

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Ingredients

1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp chopped green onions
1/2 tsp black pepper

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Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1 tsp salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits and reduce heat to low. Simmer, stirring frequently, for about 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy.
Step 2: Remove grits from heat and stir in 3 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese until melted and smooth. Cover to keep warm.
Step 3: Toss 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp with 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning, ensuring even coating.
Step 4: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
Step 5: Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until opaque and slightly charred.
Step 6: Remove the skillet from heat and drizzle shrimp with 1 tbsp lemon juice and sprinkle 2 tbsp chopped green onions and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
Step 7: Serve the blackened shrimp atop the cheesy grits for a hearty Southern-inspired meal.