Pin It A Southern classic: tender shrimp sautéed in garlic butter, served atop creamy, cheesy grits—comforting, flavorful, and perfect for brunch or dinner.
I first made shrimp & grits to surprise my family during a cozy Sunday brunch. The creamy grits combined with garlicky shrimp brought so many smiles to our table.
Ingredients
- Stone-ground grits: 1 cup
- Low-sodium chicken broth (or water): 4 cups
- Whole milk: 1 cup
- Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded: 1 cup
- Unsalted butter: 2 tbsp for grits, 4 tbsp for garlic butter sauce
- Kosher salt: 1/2 tsp for grits, 1/2 tsp for shrimp
- Black pepper: 1/4 tsp for grits, 1/4 tsp for shrimp
- Large shrimp, peeled and deveined: 1 lb
- Smoked paprika: 1/2 tsp
- Cayenne pepper (optional): 1/4 tsp
- Olive oil: 2 tbsp
- Garlic, minced: 4 cloves
- Scallions, thinly sliced (plus extra for garnish): 1/4 cup
- Fresh parsley, chopped: 2 tbsp
- Lemon juice: Juice of 1/2 lemon
Instructions
- Prepare the Grits:
- In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and milk to a boil. Slowly whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 20–25 minutes, until creamy and thickened.
- Add Cheese & Butter:
- Stir in cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste. Keep warm.
- Season the Shrimp:
- Season the shrimp with smoked paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Cook the Shrimp:
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat olive oil. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1–2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove and set aside.
- Prepare Garlic Butter Sauce:
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add scallions and cook for 1 minute.
- Finish Shrimp:
- Return shrimp to the skillet, add parsley and lemon juice, and toss to coat in the garlic butter. Remove from heat.
- Serve:
- Spoon grits into bowls, top with shrimp and garlic butter sauce. Garnish with extra scallions and parsley.
Pin It 
Sharing this dish with friends makes brunch extra special. My kids love helping garnish each bowl with parsley and scallions.
Required Tools
Medium saucepan, large skillet, whisk, measuring cups and spoons, spatula.
Allergen Information
Contains shellfish (shrimp) and dairy (milk, cheese, butter). Check broth and cheese labels for gluten if celiac.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 480 calories, 25 g total fat, 33 g carbohydrates, 32 g protein.
Pin It 
Enjoy every bite of this classic Southern comfort. Creamy grits and buttery shrimp always bring warmth to your table.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → What type of grits works best?
Stone-ground grits provide the best texture and creaminess for this dish, though quick-cooking grits can be used for faster preparation.
- → How do I keep the shrimp tender and juicy?
Cook shrimp quickly over medium-high heat until just pink and opaque to maintain tenderness and avoid rubberiness.
- → Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, cayenne pepper is optional and can be adjusted or omitted depending on your preferred heat level.
- → What substitutes can I use for chicken broth?
Water can be used as a broth substitute, though it may reduce overall flavor; low-sodium vegetable broth is another option.
- → How can I add more depth to the dish?
Adding a dash of hot sauce or crumbled cooked bacon on top enhances the smoky and spicy notes.