Description
Cheese Grits with Grilled Cajun Shrimp is a Southern-inspired comfort dish featuring creamy, cheesy stone-ground grits topped with smoky, spiced shrimp. This satisfying meal is easy to prepare, full of bold flavor, and perfect for dinner or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- Cheese Grits:
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups chicken broth or water
- 1 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1½ to 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
- Cajun Shrimp:
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- 1 to 1½ tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Optional Garnish:
- 2 tablespoons chopped green onions
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon melted butter
- Hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
- Whisk in the grits slowly, stirring to prevent lumps.
- Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring often, until thick and tender.
- Stir in milk, butter, and shredded cheddar until creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
- Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- In a bowl, toss shrimp with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and lemon juice.
- Grill shrimp for 2–3 minutes per side, until opaque and lightly charred. Remove from heat.
- Spoon warm grits into serving bowls and top with grilled shrimp.
- Garnish with green onions, parsley, a drizzle of melted butter, and hot sauce if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use whole milk or cream for extra creamy grits.
- Adjust Cajun seasoning to your preferred spice level.
- No grill? Use a cast-iron skillet to sear the shrimp for similar flavor.
- Stone-ground grits have the best texture, but quick grits can be used in a pinch.
- For added richness, stir in cream cheese or pepper jack to the grits.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Grilling, Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
