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The Ultimate Creamy, Cheesy Southern Shrimp and Grits with Bacon

A close-up of creamy, yellow shrimp and grits topped with seasoned shrimp, bacon bits, and fresh chives.
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Make this authentic Southern comfort food featuring creamy cheddar grits topped with Cajun-seasoned shrimp and crispy bacon. This Lowcountry favorite is ready fast.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup stone ground grits
  • 4 cups water or chicken broth
  • 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 crisp and crumbled
  • 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Cook the bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet.
  2. In a medium saucepan, bring the water or broth to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer according to package directions, stirring often to prevent sticking (usually 20-30 minutes for stone ground).
  3. While grits cook, prepare the shrimp. Season the shrimp with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika.
  4. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet with the bacon grease. Cook over medium heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
  5. Add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove shrimp and set aside.
  6. Deglaze the skillet by pouring in the white wine or broth, scraping up any browned bits. Let it reduce slightly, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon juice.
  7. Finish the grits: Once the grits are tender, stir in the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of butter, and the shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the grits are creamy. Season with salt and pepper.
  8. To serve, spoon a generous portion of the creamy grits onto each plate. Top with the seasoned shrimp and drizzle with the pan sauce. Sprinkle with crumbled bacon.

Notes

  • For richer flavor, substitute half the water for the grits with whole milk.
  • If you do not have stone ground grits, quick-cooking grits will work, but reduce the cooking time significantly.
  • Add 1/2 cup of sliced Andouille sausage when sautéing the onions for a spicier, heartier meal.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://juliameal.com/shrimp-and-grits-creamy-cheesy-southern-recipe/