A delicious Cajun shrimp and grits recipe is a standard in Southern culture. Creamy grits and perfectly seasoned shrimp go together beautifully. It is also one of my favorite easy healthy recipes! Adjust the level of spice to your preferences, and enjoy a fantastic classic Cajun meal at home.
Love shrimp? Check out my recipe for Bang Bang Shrimp pasta. Such a flavor-packed comfort food meal!
Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe
If you have lived in the southern part of the country or knew someone who does, you know that shrimp and grits are a classic dish. Many people don’t realize that it is easy to make. It might have you asking “ How to make shrimp and grits?”
I am so excited to not just tell you, but show you exactly how easy this is to make, and what a delicious healthy meal it can be for your family. Make sure to check out my video below showcasing this recipe on the 700 Club!
Cooking grits is extremely easy. If you can boil water, or in this case, chicken broth, you can make grits. Once the grits are made and the cheese is melted in, simply cook off the shrimp in a pan and you are ready to eat. It really is that easy to manage!
Variations to Cajun Shrimp and Grits
When it comes to making shrimp and grits, the best way to change the recipe is the add different seasonings to your shrimp. It is hard to change a classic like grits.
- Add garlic. While this recipe calls for Old Bay Seasoning, a classic seasoning for shrimp, if you want a different flavor for the shrimp, adding minced garlic or garlic powder to the shrimp is a great way.
- Mix in different cheeses to your grits for a mellow or richer flavor profile.
- Turn this into a shrimp scampi with grits by really loading the shrimp with garlic and a bit of white wine.
What is the best cheese for this recipe?
Grits are best when you have a good amount of cheese added to it. To make cheesy shrimp and grits, you will add a cup of good cheddar cheese to the grits after cooking. It melts into the grits and becomes perfection.
I prefer using whole milk cheddar for this, and sometimes a nice sharp cheddar is even better. If you have smoked cheddar available, that offers an even deeper flavor that really compliments the shrimp nicely.
Ingredients
- chicken broth
- milk
- Quaker® Quick 5-Minute Grits
- Salt and black pepper
- Wisconsin sharp white cheddar cheese
- medium shrimp
- Old Bay® seasoning
- extra virgin olive oil
- garlic
- green onions
How to Make Cajun Shrimp and Grits
In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk to a boil. Gradually whisk in the grits and salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook the grits, stirring occasionally, until they start to thicken about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar and pepper.
In a large resealable bag, add the shrimp and Old Bay®. Seal the bag and give it a few shakes to evenly coat the shrimp with the seasoning.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and green onions and cook until the green onions begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook on both sides until cooked through 3 to 5 minutes. To serve, spoon 1 cup of the grits into a bowl and top with about 10 shrimp.
Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
- 2¼ cups low-sodium chicken broth I like Pacific® Organic
- 1½ cups fat-free milk
- 1¼ cup Quaker® Quick 5-Minute Grits
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded Wisconsin sharp white cheddar cheese I like Sargento® Artisan Blends®
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound medium shrimp about 40, peeled and deveined
- 1 tablespoon Old Bay® seasoning
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 4 green onions thinly sliced
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth and milk to a boil. Gradually whisk in the grits and salt. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and cook the grits, stirring occasionally, until they start to thicken, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar and pepper.
- In a large resealable bag, add the shrimp and Old Bay®. Seal the bag and give it a few shakes to evenly coat the shrimp with the seasoning.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and green onions and cook until the green onions begin to soften, 1 to 2 minutes.
- Add the shrimp to the skillet and cook on both sides until cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
- To serve, spoon 1 cup of the grits into a bowl and top with about 10 shrimp.
Notes
Nutrition
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