Spicy Shrimp and Grits with Cajun Butter Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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 drafted and published.

A soulful Southern classic with plump, spicy shrimp served over creamy stone-ground grits, enlivened by a buttery Cajun-spiced sauce. This American Southern-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 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 American Southern cuisine 450 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Bring 4 cups water and 1/2 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.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the grits. Cover and keep warm.
  3. Step 3: Toss 1 lb peeled shrimp with 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning until evenly coated.
  4. Step 4: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and remaining 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add spiced shrimp to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and 1 tsp hot sauce if using.
  6. Step 6: Spoon creamy grits onto plates and top with the spicy Cajun shrimp and garlic butter sauce. Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

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