Southern Cheesy Shrimp and Grits (GF)

I hope you enjoy these Southern Cheesy Shrimp and Grits as much as I do. I am delighted with the flavors of the luscious sauce, the creamy cheesiness of the grits, and each bite of the perfectly cooked shrimp.

I have Midwestern roots, with family from Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky so it isn’t too much of a surprise that I love southern foods. One of my absolute favorites is Shrimp and Grits.

On a trip to Jacksonville, Florida, we headed out to one of the local restaurants for a meal. It took me about a minute perusing the menu to spy the shrimp and grits and I immediately knew what I was ordering.

When it arrived, it was everything I was hoping for, smooth and creamy grits smothered in a luscious sauce, and studded with perfectly cooked shrimp. Needless to say I cleaned my plate!

I order shrimp and grits whenever I see it on the menu and now I judge it against the dish I had in Jacksonville. Most of the time they don’t come close, but today’s recipe definitely measures up.

I was delighted with the flavors of the sauce, the cheesiness of the grits, and the perfectly cooked shrimp. It is very filling, so serve smaller portions than normal and let people go back for seconds if they want more.

These grits will thicken as they cool. Once the cheese is melted, you can whisk in another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of water or stock to thin them again if needed.

I hope you enjoy these Southern Cheesy Shrimp and Grits as much as I do and make them for your family and friends. If you have all the ingredients prepped in advance, the dish will come together easily.

Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a progressive dinner party where each course is held at a different home. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.

Each recipe in our menu this month features food from the South and our host is Karen who blogs at Karen’s Kitchen Stories. We have a great mix of recipes including cocktails, appetizers, sides, entrees, and desserts to host a classic southern feast! Come along and see all of the delicious dishes from the South!

If you try this recipe, let me know! Please leave a star rating in the recipe card, comment below, and don’t forget to snap a pic and tag it @theheritagecook on Instagram! Seeing your creations makes my day and I love hearing from you!

 

Ingredients needed for Southern Cheesy Shrimp and Grits:

• Grits: water, chicken stock, bay leaf, salt, stone-ground grits, butter, Monterey Jack or white cheddar, Parmesan
• Shrimp: large shrimp, bacon, onion, bell pepper, garlic, cornstarch, chicken stock, fresh lemon juice, hot sauce, parsley, butter

 

PRO Tip:

Shrimp are done when they turn pink, so watch carefully because they will be done very quickly. If you over-cook them they become rubbery and unpleasant. Cook, transfer to a plate, and then return to the finished sauce to reheat gently.

 

How to make Southern Cheesy Shrimp and Grits:

1. Cook the Grits: Bring water and stock to a boil in a saucepan (preferably nonstick). Add the bay leaf and salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to med-low. Simmer until water is absorbed, 15 to 25 minutes, whisking often.
2. Remove from the heat and discard bay leaf. Whisk in the butter and cheeses. Taste and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper if needed. Cover with a lid, keep warm over very low heat, stirring occasionally to keep them smooth and creamy. Add water or stock if needed.
3. Make the Shrimp and Sauce: Peel and devein the shrimp and rinse well in cold water. Pat dry with paper towels.
4. In a large skillet, fry the chopped bacon over med heat until browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate. Cool and crumble; set aside.
5. Discard all but 3 tbsp of the bacon drippings. Add the shrimp and cook until pink and no longer translucent, 1 to 2 minutes on each side. Use a slotted spoon to transfer to a plate and set aside.
6. Add the onions and bell peppers to the skillet and cook, stirring often, until softened about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. Sprinkle with the cornstarch, stirring until evenly coated. Whisk in the stock, lemon juice, hot sauce, half the parsley, and butter. Bring to a boil and cook about 5 minutes or until butter is melted and the sauce is thickened and smooth, stirring often. Remove pan from the heat and return the shrimp to reheat in the sauce.
7. To Serve: Spoon the grits into warmed serving bowls. Divide the shrimp with some of the sauce evenly in each bowl and sprinkle with the crumbled bacon and a little parsley. Serve immediately. Pass hot sauce at the table if desired.

 

PRO Tip: How to Devein Shrimp

Hold a shrimp with the rounded edge up, use a paring knife to make a slice down the back. This exposes a dark vein that you remove under running water and discard. Rinse the shrimp well and set aside. Repeat with remaining shrimp.

 

Recommended Tools (affiliate links; no extra cost to you):

• Kitchen scale
• Box grater
• Paring knife
• Chef’s knife
• Saucepan 
• Large skillet (wok style)

 

Gluten-Free Tips:

If you use gluten-free grits, this dish is naturally gluten-free!

You will get the best results by using a digital kitchen scale and weighing your ingredients, especially when you are baking.

All recommended ingredients are gluten-free as of the writing of this article. Always check to be sure the products haven’t changed and are still safe to consume.

 

See the links below for more inspiration and great recipes!

 

 

 

Create a New Tradition Today!

 

Welcome! The suggestions here are not intended as dietary advice or as a substitute for consulting a dietician, physician, or other medical professional. Please see the Disclaimers/Privacy Policy page for additional details. Unauthorized use, distribution, and/or duplication of proprietary material from The Heritage Cook without prior approval is prohibited. If you have any questions or would like permission, please contact me. We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small amount from qualifying purchases without any additional cost to you. This page may contain affiliate links. The author makes no claims regarding the presence of food allergens and disclaims all liability in connection with the use of this site. This post was first shared in Feb 2019. The article was updated in 2024.