Spicy Shrimp and Grits

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-03-31 · Updated 2026-03-31

Creamy stone-ground grits topped with succulent shrimp and a smoky pepper sauce, garnished with green onions. This quick recipe, ready in about 45 minutes, pairs grits, water, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 grits
• 3 cups water
• 12 oz, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 cloves, minced garlic
• 1 small, diced onion
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup, grated cheese
• 2 tbsp, chopped green onions

The pan we’d use for this → Best Nonstick Cookware for 2026: Top 5 Skillet Picks + Buying Guide

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a saucepan, bring water to a boil. Stir in grits and reduce heat to low. Cook for 15-20 minutes until thickened, adding milk and cheese.
2. Step 2: In a skillet, cook shrimp with chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic, and onion over medium heat until shrimp turn pink and onions are translucent.
3. Step 3: Fold cooked shrimp into grits and stir until evenly coated. Garnish with green onions before serving.