Identical to they make them in The Large Straightforward, these New Orleans Shrimp and Grits are extremely creamy, loaded with cheese, after which topped with spicy seared shrimp and crispy bacon bits. Prepared in below 45 minutes, this traditional Louisiana dish is ideal on your Mardi Gras gathering, or on any evening of the week if you’re craving a Cajun kick!
I’ve been to New Orleans—or close by Slidell, Louisiana—at least 50 instances in my life, and each journey there’s one dish I have to order: Shrimp and Grits!
The creamy, slowly simmered grits paired with pan-seared, blackened shrimp is simply unbeatable. However what I didn’t notice till a couple of years in the past is simply how EASY it’s to make this Cajun traditional at house.
Since then, I’ve examined the recipe you see under quite a few instances (it even made an look in my Weeknight Winners dinner cookbook!), and y’all—you’ve really by no means tasted a dish like this!
The two Issues You Have to Make the Greatest Shrimp and Grits
It’d sound apparent, however two issues will actually take your shrimp and grits to the following degree: high-quality shrimp and stone-ground grits.
If you will discover wild-caught Gulf shrimp that haven’t been beforehand frozen, you’re in for an actual deal with! And whereas quick-cooking grits work (I’ve had success with them too!), they simply don’t ship the identical creamy, chewy texture as stone-ground grits.
Craving much more Cajun classics? This Sausage and Shrimp Gumbo, Rooster Jambalaya and Shrimp Creole are all impressed by my quite a few journeys all the way down to New Orleans!
Elements You’ll Want
- Grits: Stone-ground grits are key for one of the best texture and taste—completely value the additional cook dinner time! You should use white or yellow corn grits relying in your shade choice. If utilizing common or fast cooking grits, you’ll want to regulate the cook dinner time based on their bundle instructions.
- Broth & Milk: Cooking grits in broth as a substitute of water provides wealthy taste. Use rooster or veggie broth and add milk (and even heavy cream or half and half!) for additional creaminess. Dairy-free choices like oat, almond, or soy milk work, too, however will have an effect on the completed style of the dish.
- Butter. This provides one of the best taste, however you’ll be able to substitute it for oil, if wanted.
- Cheese. Whereas this may be non-obligatory, I completely LOVE the punch of taste {that a} good sharp Cheddar cheese provides to savory grits.
- Shrimp. Use giant, peeled and deveined shrimp (a 20/25 depend per pound), tails on or off. Alter the cook dinner time if utilizing bigger or smaller shrimp.
- Bacon: A number of slices add crispy texture and cooking the shrimp in bacon fats makes the dish much more scrumptious.
- Cajun seasoning. This recipe was examined utilizing the Evolving Desk Cajun Blackened Seasoning. If utilizing a store-bought possibility, Tony’s and Slap Yo’ Mama are nice decisions, however these could be on the spicier and saltier facet, so you will want to regulate accordingly.
Make New Orleans Shrimp and Grits
Please see the recipe card under for extra detailed ingredient quantities.
Step 1: Cook dinner the Grits.
Boil broth and milk in a saucepan, stir within the grits, and produce it again to a boil. Scale back warmth, cowl, and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring each 5-10 minutes to stop clumping.
Step 2: Make Them Tacky and Creamy.
As soon as tender, stir within the butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper till easy and creamy.
Step 3: Cook dinner the Bacon and Veggies.
Cook dinner chopped bacon in a skillet over medium warmth till crispy, about 8-10 minutes. Switch to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving 2 tablespoons of bacon grease within the skillet. Cook dinner onion and bell pepper for 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook dinner for 1 extra minute.
Step 4: Sear the Shrimp.
Push veggies apart, add shrimp in a single layer, and sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Cook dinner for 2-3 minutes till opaque and curled. Deglaze the pan with broth, scraping up flavorful bits, and toss the bacon again in.
Step 5: Serve and Take pleasure in!
Spoon grits into bowls, high with shrimp, veggies, and bacon. Garnish with inexperienced onions, parsley, and a squeeze of lemon. Take pleasure in!
FAQs
Cajun shrimp and grits are spicier, smokier, and extra rustic, whereas Creole shrimp and grits are milder, richer, and sometimes embody a tomato-based sauce.
Shrimp and grits originated within the Lowcountry of South Carolina as a easy fisherman’s breakfast. Over time, it grew to become a beloved Southern dish, particularly in Louisiana, the place it’s usually spiced up with Cajun flavors and served for any meal of the day.
The key to good grits is utilizing stone-ground grits for one of the best texture and taste. Cook dinner them low and sluggish, stirring regularly to stop clumping. Utilizing a mixture of broth and milk as a substitute of simply water provides richness, and ending with butter (and cheese in case you like) makes them additional creamy and scrumptious.
What to Serve with Shrimp and Grits?
If you need slightly one thing on the facet there are a variety of dishes you’ll be able to pair with shrimp and grits. Any sorts of salad, greens, or veggies are an ideal possibility. Attempt a few of these:
Shrimp and grits are hearty on their very own, however they pair properly with Southern sides like Collard Greens, cornbread, or ??.
A lightweight facet salad or greens, like Sautéed Spinach, Air Fryer Broccoli, or Roasted Asparagus, additionally make an ideal complement to stability the richness of the dish.
Extra Cajun Recipes to Attempt
Can’t get sufficient Cajun taste? Attempt these scrumptious recipes subsequent.
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For the Grits: Add 3 cups of the broth and 1 cup milk to a medium pot and produce to a boil over excessive warmth. Stir within the grits and produce again to a boil. As soon as boiling, cowl the pot with a lid and scale back warmth to medium-low. Simmer for 20-25 minutes, or till the liquid has been absorbed and the grits are comfortable and tender, stirring each 5-10 minutes to stop clumping. Take away the pot from the range and stir within the butter, cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper.
1 cup entire milk, 1 cup grits, 3 tablespoons salted butter, ½ cup cheddar cheese, ¼ teaspoon black pepper
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For the Shrimp: Add the chopped bacon to a big cast-iron skillet over medium warmth. Cook dinner for 8-10 minutes, or till crispy. Line a plate with a paper towel. Switch the bacon to the ready plate. Go away 2 tablespoons of bacon drippings within the pan and discard the remaining.
5 strips thick-cut bacon
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Return the skillet, with the bacon drippings, to medium warmth. Add the onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook dinner for 3-4 minutes, or till tender, stirring usually. Combine within the garlic and ¼ teaspoon salt. Proceed cooking for an additional 30 seconds, or till aromatic.
½ medium candy onion, 1 small crimson bell pepper, 3 garlic cloves
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Pat shrimp dry and sprinkle throughout with the Cajun seasoning. Use your fingers to press the seasoning into the shrimp in order that it adheres.
1 pound giant shrimp, 2 ½ teaspoons Cajun seasoning
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Push greens to 1 facet of the skillet and add the shrimp in a single layer. Cook dinner for two minutes, flip, and proceed cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes extra, or till the shrimp flip opaque and their tails start to twist.
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Pour within the remaining 1⁄3 cup broth and scrape up any browned bits from the underside of the skillet. Add the bacon again into the skillet and cook dinner for 1-2 extra minutes, or till heated by.
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Divide the shrimp and grits evenly between 4 bowls. High every with 1 tablespoon of inexperienced onions, 1 tablespoon of chopped parsley, and a squeeze of contemporary lemon juice, if desired.
¼ cup chopped inexperienced onions, ¼ cup chopped contemporary flat-leaf parsley, Recent lemon juice
- Keep in mind to stir: The grits will clump, so be certain that to combine them as they cook dinner.
- Cajun Seasoning: The spice degree can differ relying in your mix, however a home made blackened Cajun seasoning offers you probably the most management. For those who’re grabbing from the shop, Slap Ya’ Mama or Emeril’s Blackened Seasoning are strong decisions. (You will have to regulate the spice degree and salt barely, although.)
- Storage: Place the grits and shrimp combination in separate hermetic containers and refrigerate for as much as 4 days.
- Freezing: You too can seal in particular person freezer-safe hermetic containers and freeze for as much as 2 months.
Energy: 670kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 37g, Fats: 37g, Saturated Fats: 16g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 4g, Monounsaturated Fats: 12g, Trans Fats: 0.4g, Ldl cholesterol: 235mg, Sodium: 5346mg, Potassium: 734mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 11g, Vitamin A: 2752IU, Vitamin C: 47mg, Calcium: 307mg, Iron: 2mg
Vitamin data is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.
