Cheesy Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Green bowl filled with cheesy grits and topped with Cajun shrimp and chopped bacon.

5 stars (6 reviews)

Southern dishes don't get much more lowcountry than this! Our classic Shrimp and Grits recipe includes rich, cheesy grits topped with plump shrimp and crispy bacon, plus a dash of cayenne pepper for a kick of spicy Cajun flavor.

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Main, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings: servings

Calories: 725kcal

Author: Sommer Collier

Ingredients

For the Grits -

1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water
3 tablespoons butter
2 cups shredded fontina cheese or white cheddar
Cayenne pepper

For the Shrimp -

1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
½ pound bacon chopped
½ lemon juiced
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
¾ cup chopped green onions
1 clove garlic minced
Salt and pepper

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

First, make the cheesy grits: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add the grits, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Whisk well to avoid clumping. Reduce the heat to low and cook until the water is absorbed, 10-12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the butter, cheese, and 2-3 dashes of cayenne pepper. Cover until ready to serve.
Next, cook the shrimp: In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium-high heat. When crisp, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place on a paper towel to drain.
Add the shrimp and another dash of cayenne pepper to the bacon grease. Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the onions, garlic, parsley, and lemon juice. Cook 1 minute, then toss and remove from the heat. Add the cooked bacon back to the skillet. (No need to salt the shrimp, since it’s going into bacon grease.)
Divide the grits onto plates and top with the shrimp mixture and bacon pieces.

Video

Notes

This dish is definitely best to enjoy freshly made. Like many seafood recipes, you really can't help but overcook the shrimp when they're reheated.

That being said, you certainly can keep leftovers for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat the cheese grits separately from the shrimp.

Nutrition