Southern Shrimp and Grits

Name: Southern Shrimp and Grits
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 4 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth; 2 cups 2% milk; 1/3 cup butter, cubed; 3/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 3/4 cup uncooked old-fashioned grits; 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese; SHRIMP:; 8 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped; 1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon Cajun or blackened seasoning; 4 green onions, chopped

A southern specialty, this easy shrimp and grits recipe tastes great for brunch, dinner and when company’s coming. It’s down-home comfort food at its finest. —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina

Ingredients

2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 cups 2% milk
1/3 cup butter, cubed
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup uncooked old-fashioned grits
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
SHRIMP:
8 thick-sliced bacon strips, chopped
1 pound uncooked medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon Cajun or blackened seasoning
4 green onions, chopped

Directions

In a large saucepan, bring the broth, milk, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese until melted. Set aside and keep warm.
In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 4 teaspoons drippings. Saute the shrimp, garlic and seasoning in drippings until shrimp turn pink. Serve with grits and sprinkle with onions.

Test Kitchen Tips

To quickly peel fresh garlic, gently crush the clove with the flat side of a large knife blade to loosen the peel. If you don’t have a large knife, you can crush the garlic with a small can.

Make sure you clean the shrimp before you cook it. Learn how to devein shrimp here.

Nutrition Facts

1 cup grits with 1/2 cup shrimp mixture: 674 calories, 42g fat (22g saturated fat), 241mg cholesterol, 1845mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 1g fiber), 41g protein.

Originally published as Southern Shrimp and Grits in Country Woman April/May 2012

Reviews

My Review

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Average Rating:

ram225

Apr 18, 2019

Excellent recipe. I had to make some tweaks based on the ingredients I had on hand but it was great.
GsGram

Mar 6, 2019

DR4296, I saw a similar recipe on another site and the bacon was added to the shrimp mixture. :)
DR4296

Feb 27, 2019

Is it just me or does the recipe actually NOT say what to do with the bacon after you have removes it to paper towels? I assume you are supposed to crumble up the bacon and mix it in right before serving. ?
Jeffrey

Feb 11, 2019

This is a straight forward and easy to prepare recipe that even the novice cook could prepare. 15 min prep time and 45 min cook time and you have a flavorful taste of a southern classic. I recommend adding adouille sausage and a little hot sauce to spice it up a little. Have fun with it and enjoy!
rllewis7

Dec 1, 2018

Flavorful shrimp and creamy grits make this a great comfort food recipe!
gigiatl

Oct 27, 2018

Fabulous recipe Mandy !! Tasty, creamy grits along with beautiful shrimp. I also added some andouille sausage. Recipe is a real keeper ??
Charlene

May 23, 2018

First time making shrimp and grits and this recipe was awesome! So much flavor and easy to make. I'll definitely be making this again... very soon!
Debra

Feb 16, 2018

This is very good and simple to make. This is the first time I have had shrimp and grits. Will be fixing again.
Shoppingqueen

Jan 2, 2018

This is very good. I used a blackened spice that I made. The only other time I have had shrimp & grits was in Nashville, I do believe this was better. I also fixed a corn cake to go as a side.
Julie

Jul 7, 2017

Excellent and easy! Have made three times in a month because my son loves it and requests it.