Southern Shrimp and Grits

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Southern shrimp and grits is a very popular comfort food, and for good reason! 

Here in coastal Georgia, an annual food festival is held each fall.  Maybe you’ve visited beautiful Jekyll Island and sampled some of the amazing variations of this Southern staple during this annual festival.  If you haven’t, I encourage you to; you won’t be disappointed. 

Questions

How many calories are in one serving?

For a large bowl, there are 653 calories and 33.6g of carbs.  This recipe also is high in vitamin C.  For more nutritional information, scroll past the recipe card.

Can you make this ahead?

Yes, you most certainly can.  I would make it up to a few hours before, and keep it and the sauce separate.  Just before serving, reheat on the stove top over medium low heat.  When ready to serve, place the grits on the bottom and the sauce on top.

What can I serve this with?

This recipe is a meal by itself, but if you have the desire to serve it with other sides, try sauteed greens: kale or collards.  If you would like to serve a salad, try a spring mix with red onion, clementine, and a citrus dressing.  A crusty bread with butter is always a safe side if you want to serve a carb.

How to Make

Peel and devein the fresh Georgia white shrimp.

Prep all the ingredients for the grits.  Grate the cheese, measure out the chicken stock and the spices.

Get all the ingredients ready for the sauce.  Slice the sausage and the green onion.  Mince the garlic and measure out the liquids: cream, lemon juice and white wine.

Make the the grits; then add the cheese, butter, spices, and cream.

To make the sauce, start by sauteing the sausage, green onion, and garlic in a skillet.

Deglaze the pan with white wine, then add the seafood, cream, lemon juice, and spices.  Sprinkle some flour onto the sauce to thicken it, and cook for 3 minutes to remove the flour taste.

To serve, put the grits on the bottom and the sauce on top.  Garnish with green onion.  Enjoy when it’s hot and fresh.

This recipe has been inspired by the Jekyll Island Club Hotel’s recipe.  It was my favorite at the Shrimp and Grits festival many years ago. 

Round out your meal with these other family favorite Southern recipes.

• Arnold Palmer Drink
• Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
• Super Easy Peach Cobbler from Scratch

The pleasure of a 5 star review would be greatly appreciated.

Recipe

Southern Shrimp and Grits

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★★★★★

5 from 1 reviews

• Author: Brooke
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x

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Description

Southern shrimp and grits is an easy dinner recipe that can be on the table in under 45 minutes.  Featuring Cajun sausage, cheese, and real cream, it’s a simple Southern comfort food that is oh, so good.  Try it tonight with fresh Georgia white shrimp.

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Ingredients

For the Grits

• 4 cups low sodium chicken stock or seafood stock
• 1 1/3 cup filtered water
• 1 1/3 cups quick-cooking white corn grits
• 1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated
• 4 tablespoons salted butter
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

For the Shrimp Sauce

• 3 tablespoons bacon fat
• 12 ounces Cajun style andouille sausage, sliced in coins
• 1 cup green onions, sliced
• 1 jumbo garlic clove, minced
• 1/3 cup white wine
• 1 pound fresh Georgia shrimp, peeled and deveined (roughly 33 large shrimp)
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

Making the Grits

1. Make it according to the package instructions.  Since I used white quick grits, I’ll share how I made them.
2. Boil 4 cups of chicken stock and 1 1/3 cups of filtered water in a large pot.
3. Whisk in the grits and 1/2 teaspoon salt, then return to a boil.  Cover and let it simmer over a medium-low heat for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.  It should be stiff, not runny.
4. Whisk or stir in the butter, grated cheese, and spices.  Keep it warm over low heat and keep it covered.
5. Just before serving, stir in the 1/2 cup of cream, adding a little more if needed.  Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.

Making the Shrimp Sauce

1. Melt the bacon grease in a large skillet over medium-high heat.  Saute the andouille sausage and the green onion for 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, roughly 2 minutes.
2. Deglaze the pan by pouring in the white wine and stirring for a minute or two.
3. Add the fresh large shrimp and cook for 1 minute, then add the lemon juice, cream, and spices. Cook for 3 minutes more.
4. Turn the heat down to a simmer, sprinkle flour on top, and stir it in.  Repeat until the sauce is the right consistency.  Cook the sauce for two to three minutes to remove the flour taste.

Serving the Shrimp and Grits

1. Divide the grits among six shallow bowls or plates.
2. Place 5 or 6 large shrimp on top, and divide the sausage and sauce evenly among the bowls.
3. Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped green onion.  Serve warm.

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• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: shrimp and grits, Southern, fresh shrimp

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