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    Homemade Cajun Shrimp and Grits

    November 27, 2022 by Lauren Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Homemade Cajun Shrimp and Grits are an easy-to-make, delicious, seriously-southern staple! This dish might be one of your favorites that you make on repeat this fall!

    Close up image of cooked, tail-on shrimp over cheesy grits.

    Now that Thanksgiving has passed, it’s seriously time to eat a variety of foods that aren’t inspired by turkey leftovers.  It’s time for something fresh, something hearty, something filling, and something warming–that’s where this Cajun Shrimp and Grits comes in! 

    You’re going to love it because it’s easy to make! Don’t let the fact that restaurants serve it and that you think this is a best-left-to-the-pros dish, it isn’t! You can make it at home, and probably better because it’ll have your own personal touch.  

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How to make Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    • Making the grits: step by step
    • To make the cajun shrimp: step by step
    • Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    • More recipes you'll love
    • Let's connect!

    Ingredients

    Let’s talk about the ingredients for a minute.  You’ll need: 

    Ingredient photo with all labeled ingredients on a sheet pan.

    Grits: Grits are easy enough to make, just follow the package directions and be sure to cook them in broth, rather than water, and stir in some cheese and butter at the end.  Simple.  Feel free to use instant, but this recipe does call for old-fashioned grits, they do taste better!

    Jumbo shrimp: Buy it frozen, pre-peeled, whatever you find easiest. Just be sure to thaw the shrimp before beginning the recipe.  

    Honey: For coating the shrimp.  The honey gives it a delicious sweetness in contrast to the flavor of the cajun spice.  

    Spices: You’re going to mix garlic powder, onion powder, pepper, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes.  For a unique cajun-spice flavor.  

    Bacon: Bacon just goes with shrimp and grits, adding a nice deep layer of salty flavor.  Especially if you’ll be serving this for brunch or breakfast.  It’s fabulous. 

    Shallot: If you’re not used to cooking with shallots or can’t find them, just replace this item with a clove or two of minced garlic.  That won’t change the flavor much, but shallots are mildly garlicky and sweet when sauteed, they go perfectly with the spice blend and subtle sweetness of the honey! 

    Butter:  To give the shrimp a creamy, buttery pan sauce! Perfect for drizzling over your grits! 

    Lemon juice: To add a hint of tang and balance out the spice blend! 

    How to make Cajun Shrimp and Grits

    Don’t let the steps involved in this recipe scare you, the dish comes together pretty quickly and with minimal effort.  

    Making the grits: step by step

    Step by step how to make cheesy grits for shrimp and grits.  Labeled with steps.

    Step 1: Boil broth or stock and add the grits.  Be sure to whisk them together well to be sure they don’t clump, then stir them occasionally over the course of 10-15 minutes.  

    Step 2: Stir in the cheese, butter, and cream.  

    Step 3: Stir until smooth.  That’s it! Then set them aside and make your shrimp!

    To make the cajun shrimp: step by step

    Step 1: Peel and devein the shrimp.  Or thaw it if it’s frozen. Then, toss it with honey and spices.

    Step 2: Saute cubed bacon until crispy.

    Step 3: Remove the crispy bacon with a slotted spoon and set it aside. Saute shallot and shrimp in the bacon grease until opaque.  Add the bacon back to the pan with butter, and lemon juice.  

    Then serve the shrimp over your grits! That’s it! 

    Cooked shrimp and bacon with parsley on top.  The shrimp is in the pan sauce.
    Final image of shrimp and grits.  Jumbo shrimp over grits with lemon and parsley on the side.
    Another close up of shrimp and grits with lemon on the side.  Tail on shrimp, cooked and covered in pan sauce.
    Close up photo of fork digging into shrimp and grits.  Looks really delicious as an action shot.

    Cajun Shrimp and Grits

    Cajun Shrimp and Grits are an easy-to-make, delicious, seriously-southern staple! This dish might be one of your favorites that you make on repeat this fall!
    5 from 3 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American, American-South, Southern-American
    Servings 2 people
    Calories 1366 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    FOR THE GRITS

    • 2 ½ cups broth
    • ½ cup grits
    • 1 cup cheddar cheese grated
    • 3 tbsp butter

    FOR THE SHRIMP

    • 1 lb jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined
    • 2 tbsp honey
    • 1 tsp garlic powder
    • 1 tsp onion powder
    • ½ tsp paprika
    • ½ tsp red pepper flakes
    • ¼ tsp pepper
    • ¼ tsp salt
    • 3-4 slices bacon cubed
    • 1 shallot minced
    • 4 tbsp butter
    • 1 tbsp lemon juice

    Instructions
     

    • Make the grits. Bring 2 ½ cups of broth to a boil, stir in the grits and turn the heat down to low. Stir occasionally for 10-15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the cheddar and butter.
    • In a bowl, toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with honey, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, red pepper flakes, pepper and salt. Set aside.
    • In a pan over medium heat, saute the bacon until desired crispiness is reached. Remove the bacon with a slotted spatula and set aside. Don’t clean the pan, add the shrimp and shallot, saute for about 3 minutes or until the shrimp is no longer pink and becomes opaque. Stir in the butter and lemon juice.
    • Split the grits between two bowls, spoon the shrimp and pan sauce over the grits.

    Notes

    Storage: Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to three days.
     
    *Nutrition facts are automatically calculated 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 1366kcal | Carbohydrates: 127g | Protein: 100g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 26g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 699mg | Sodium: 6379mg | Potassium: 1074mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 48g | Vitamin A: 4334IU | Vitamin C: 9mg | Calcium: 1197mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
    Nutrition Facts
    Cajun Shrimp and Grits
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 1366 Calories from Fat 459
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 51g78%
    Saturated Fat 26g163%
    Trans Fat 1g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
    Monounsaturated Fat 11g
    Cholesterol 699mg233%
    Sodium 6379mg277%
    Potassium 1074mg31%
    Carbohydrates 127g42%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 48g53%
    Protein 100g200%
    Vitamin A 4334IU87%
    Vitamin C 9mg11%
    Calcium 1197mg120%
    Iron 3mg17%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    About Lauren

    Lauren is the freelance writer, photographer, and recipe developer behind Shutter + Mint. Thanks for stopping by!

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    Hi, I'm Lauren! Shutter + Mint is a food blog I created to help you create easy, practical recipes at home. Thanks for stopping by!

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