St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage
A Southern-inspired shrimp and grits recipe featuring smoky andouille sausage and creamy cheese grits, reflecting the rich coastal flavors of Northeast Florida. This southern-inspired seafood ready in about 45 minutes pairs stone-ground grits, water, divided 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.
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp, divided salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 8 oz sliced into 1/4-inch rounds andouille sausage
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp, divided unsalted butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic cloves
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water and 1/2 tsp salt to a boil. Gradually whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer gently, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes until thickened and creamy.
- Step 2: Remove the grits from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 1 tbsp unsalted butter, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt. Cover and keep warm.
- Step 3: While grits cook, heat 1 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 8 oz sliced andouille sausage and sauté for 4-5 minutes until browned and slightly crispy. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 4: In the same skillet, add 2 tbsp butter and 3 minced garlic cloves; sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add 1 lb peeled shrimp, 1 tsp smoked paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Cook shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 5: Return the cooked andouille sausage to the skillet with shrimp, stir in 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 2 tbsp chopped parsley, and cook together for 1 minute to combine flavors.
- Step 6: Spoon the cheesy grits onto plates and top with the shrimp and andouille mixture before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille Sausage take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (10 min prep + 35 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 St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille 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 St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille 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 St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille 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 St. Augustine Style Shrimp and Grits with Andouille 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.
