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Authentic Southern Shrimp and Grits with Creamy Cheddar

Close-up of creamy yellow shrimp and grits topped with seasoned shrimp, crumbled bacon, and fresh chives.
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Make classic Southern Shrimp and Grits featuring succulent shrimp in a savory sauce over creamy, cheesy cheddar grits. This recipe delivers true Lowcountry flavor quickly.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup stone ground grits
  • 4 cups water or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Prepare the grits: Bring water or broth and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently until thick.
  2. While grits simmer, cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings in the skillet.
  3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon drippings. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  4. Stir heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of butter, and Cajun seasoning into the cooked grits. Stir until smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheddar cheese until fully melted and creamy. Keep warm.
  5. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the vegetables. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice. Bring the sauce to a simmer and cook for 2 minutes, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with black pepper.
  7. To serve, spoon a generous portion of the creamy cheddar grits into bowls. Top with the shrimp and sauce. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, substitute half the water for the grits with milk.
  • If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp seasoning.
  • Use stone ground grits for the most authentic texture in this Southern comfort food recipe.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookincorner.com/shrimp-and-grits-recipe-southern-comfort/