Shrimp and Grits is the ultimate comfort meal! Buttery, cheesy grits are served with pan seared Cajun shrimp. This easy weeknight dinner takes just 30 minutes or less from start to finish and always yields filling, flavorful, and downright delicious results that you can really count on.

a plate of shrimp and grits next to small bowls of chives and salt, and lemon slices

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Cajun Shrimp and Grits

There’s nothing quite like Shrimp and Grits. This classic southern staple has graced dinner tables for decades and isn’t going out of style any time soon! While this seafood dish is great for summer, it can really be served any time of year since it’s so warm and comforting.

Both elements of this dish are crave-worthy. The grits are buttery and made with cheddar cheese, so you know they hit the spot! Piled on top of those cheesy grits are the perfectly pan seared shrimp, made flavorful with bold Cajun seasoning. Squeeze a little lemon juice over the plate and stir in some bacon to really send this dish over the top!

Why You’ll Love this Shrimp and Grits Recipe:

  • FILLING: Between the hearty grits and the protein from the shrimp, this is a dish that’s sure to fill you up after just one serving.
  • FLAVOR PACKED: Cajun seasoning and shrimp are a perfect pairing! You’ll love how flavorful the shrimp become when seasoned with that bold mix of spices. Oh, and have I mentioned there’s bacon?!
  • QUICK AND EASY: The best weeknight dinners are the ones that are homemade, but not a hassle. Shrimp and Grits is a thirty minute meal with super easy to follow steps!

The grits come together pretty quickly and the shrimp takes just a minute or so to cook on the stove top. When you need a quick, comforting dinner, look no further than Shrimp and Grits!

a plate of southern grits topped with cajun shrimp
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How to Make Shrimp and Grits

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  1. Cook the grits in chicken broth and water.
  2. Stir in the butter, cheese, and pepper, then, set aside.
  3. Cook the bacon, then set the bacon aside and reserve the grease.
  4. Toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning.
  5. Cook the garlic and shrimp together.
  6. Stir the bacon, scallions, and lemon juice together with the shrimp. Serve over grits, and enjoy!
how to make shrimp and grits step by step photo instructions
What are grits?

Grits are a type of porridge made from boiled ground corn.

What’s the difference between grits and polenta?

Grits and polenta are both made from ground corn, but polenta is made from yellow corn only and has a coarser texture. Grits can be made from white or yellow corn, and they have a much finer texture.

What kind of shrimp should I use for shrimp and grits?

I recommend using large peeled and deveined shrimp for the best results. You can use fresh or frozen shrimp, but be sure to thaw the shrimp overnight in the refrigerator if they are frozen.

Can I make shrimp and grits without cheese?

Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of cheddar cheese, you can leave it out or replace it with cream cheese or Parmesan.

Why did my shrimp and grits clump?

If you do not stir the grits as you add them to the boiling water, they can clump up. I recommend continuing to stir your grits occasionally until they are fully cooked to prevent them from clumping up during cooking.

How can I tell when shrimp are cooked?

Raw shrimp are translucent gray in color. Cooked shrimp are an opaque white color with some pink and bright red accents and 120°F internally.

When it comes to southern comfort food, not many dishes can beat Shrimp and Grits. It’s a classic, tried and true meal that warms the body and soul!

a plate of cheesy shrimp and grits
cheesy grits and cajun style shrimp on a plate with a fork

Make Ahead Instructions

Shrimp and grits is best served on the day it is made. You can prep the bacon and shrimp earlier in the day if desired by cutting the bacon into lardons and peeling and deveining the shrimp if needed.

Storage Instructions

Store leftover shrimp and grits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

Freezing Instructions

Freeze shrimp and grits for up to 3 months. I recommend freezing the shrimp and grits in separate airtight containers for the best results. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Substitutions

  • For creamier grits, replace 1 cup of the water with 1 cup of heavy cream.
  • You can use cream cheese or Parmesan in place of the cheddar cheese.
  • While I recommend using large peeled and deveined shrimp, you can really use any shrimp you like in this recipe! Whether or not you remove the tails is up to you.
  • Instead of Cajun seasoning, try the same amount of blackened seasoning or Old Bay.
  • For spicier shrimp and grits, add ⅛-¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.

Tips for the Best Shrimp and Grits

  • Always start by making the grits first. You can easily keep the grits warm while you cook the shrimp.
  • Be sure to salt the cooking water for the grits. This imparts a lot of flavor.
  • Feel free to add more butter to the grits if you desire. The butterier, the better!
  • If using frozen shrimp, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
  • Cooked shrimp should be 120°F internally.

More Cheesy Dinner Recipes We Love

a plate of shrimp and grits on a tabletop

Quick, comforting, and so easy to make – this classic recipe for Shrimp and Grits has a lot to love about it! You can serve it up during the heat of summer or on the chilliest winter night and it’ll always be sure to satisfy. After all, cheesy, buttery grits and flavor packed Cajun shrimp ALWAYS sounds like a good idea!

More Quick Shrimp Recipes to Try:

If you make this recipe be sure to upload a photo in the comment section below or leave a rating. Enjoy! You can also jump to recipe.

Recipe Card

Shrimp and Grits Recipe

No ratings yet
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Author: Becky Hardin
shrimp and grits
Shrimp and Grits is the ultimate comfort meal! Buttery, cheesy grits are served with pan seared Cajun shrimp. This easy weeknight dinner takes just 30 minutes or less from start to finish and always yields filling, flavorful, and downright delicious results that you can really count on.
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Ingredients 

  • 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 cups water
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup corn grits
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ stick, cut into 4 pieces
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 6 slices bacon cut into lardons
  • 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined
  • 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 tablespoons sliced scallion greens plus more for garnish
  • Lemon wedges for serving

Instructions 

  • In a large pot, bring the chicken broth, water, and salt to a boil. Whisk in the grits, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook, stirring often, until the grits have absorbed the liquid and are tender, about 10-12 minutes.
    2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, 2 cups water, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, 1 cup corn grits
    how to make cheesy grits
  • Stir in the butter, cheddar, and black pepper. Set aside.
    4 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
    adding grated cheese and pats of butter to a pot of grits
  • In a large cast iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Turn off the heat, remove with a slotted spoon and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the pan and discard the rest.
    6 slices bacon
  • Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel. Toss with the cajun seasoning.
    1 pound large shrimp, 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
    a bowl of raw shrimp coated in cajun seasoning
  • Return the pan to medium-high heat, add in the shrimp, and garlic. Cook, about 1-2 minutes per side until the shrimp is pink.
    2 cloves garlic
    cooking cajun shrimp in a skillet
  • Remove from the heat, stir in the bacon, scallions, and a squeeze of lemon. Serve over the grits and enjoy!
    2 tablespoons sliced scallion greens, Lemon wedges

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • For creamier grits, replace 1 cup of the water with 1 cup of heavy cream.
  • You can use cream cheese or Parmesan in place of the cheddar cheese.
  • While I recommend using large peeled and deveined shrimp, you can really use any shrimp you like in this recipe! Whether or not you remove the tails is up to you.
  • Instead of Cajun seasoning, try the same amount of blackened seasoning or Old Bay.
  • For spicier shrimp and grits, add ⅛-¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
  • Always start by making the grits first. You can easily keep the grits warm while you cook the shrimp.
  • Be sure to salt the cooking water for the grits. This imparts a lot of flavor.
  • Feel free to add more butter to the grits if you desire. The butterier, the better!
  • If using frozen shrimp, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before cooking.
  • Cooked shrimp should be 120°F internally.
Storage: Store shrimp and grits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Serving: 1bowlCalories: 692kcalCarbohydrates: 36gProtein: 35gFat: 45gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 237mgSodium: 1519mgPotassium: 456mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1464IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 285mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

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