Savory Southern Shrimp and Cheddar Grits
Experience the heart and soul of Southern comfort food with our Savory Southern Shrimp and Cheddar Grits. Inspired by the renowned Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, NC, this dish perfectly marries creamy, cheesy grits with succulent, spiced shrimp, all elevated by the savory accents of bacon and fresh vegetables. Despite the seemingly long ingredient list, this recipe is quick and simple to prepare—perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat. Enjoy layers of flavor and textures that will leave your taste buds dancing!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
22
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
2 cups (none)
chicken broth
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) (none)
half-and-half
3/4 cup (none)
salt
3/4 teaspoon (none)
regular grits
1 cup (none)
cheddar cheese (shredded)
3/4 cup (shredded)
parmesan cheese (grated)
1/4 cup (grated)
butter
2 tablespoons (none)
Tabasco sauce
1/2 teaspoon (none)
white pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
bacon
3 slices (cooked and crumbled)
medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
1 lb (peeled and deveined)
black pepper
1/4 teaspoon (none)
salt
1/8 teaspoon (none)
flour
1/4 cup (none)
sliced mushrooms
1 cup (sliced)
sliced green onion
1/2 cup (sliced)
garlic (minced)
2 cloves (minced)
fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup (none)
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Tabasco sauce
1/4 teaspoon (none)
lemon wedge
to serve (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a medium saucepan, bring water, chicken broth, half-and-half, and salt to a rolling boil. Gradually whisk in the grits and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cook while stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes, or until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the cheddar cheese, parmesan, butter, Tabasco sauce, and white pepper. Keep warm.
2
In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, reserving 1 tablespoon of the drippings in the skillet. Crumble the bacon and set aside.
3
Season shrimp with black pepper and salt, then dredge lightly in flour.
4
In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms to the reserved drippings and sauté for about 5 minutes until tender. Add the sliced green onions and sauté for an additional 2 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and minced garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until the shrimp turn lightly golden.
5
Add fat-free chicken broth, lemon juice, and the second dose of Tabasco sauce to the skillet. Stir well, cooking for an additional 2 minutes, stirring to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the flavors.
6
To serve, divide the creamy grits into 4 large, shallow bowls. Spoon the shrimp and mushroom mixture over the grits, and top with crumbled bacon. Serve immediately with lemon wedges on the side for an added zing.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Southern Shrimp and Cheddar Grits?
It is a heart and soul Southern comfort food dish that combines creamy, cheesy grits with succulent spiced shrimp, bacon, and fresh vegetables.
What inspired this specific shrimp and grits recipe?
This recipe is inspired by the renowned Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill, NC.
Is this recipe difficult to prepare?
No, despite the long ingredient list, this recipe is quick and simple to prepare, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.
What type of grits are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of regular grits.
What liquids are used to cook the grits?
The grits are cooked in a mixture of water, chicken broth, and half-and-half.
How long do the grits need to simmer?
The grits should be stirred occasionally and simmered for about 10 minutes until the mixture thickens.
What kinds of cheese are added to the grits?
Shredded cheddar cheese and grated parmesan cheese are stirred into the grits.
What seasonings are added to the grit mixture?
The grits are seasoned with salt, butter, Tabasco sauce, and white pepper.
How is the bacon prepared for this dish?
Bacon is cooked until crisp, then crumbled and used as a topping.
How much bacon fat should be reserved for sautéing?
One tablespoon of bacon drippings should be reserved in the skillet.
How should the shrimp be prepped before cooking?
The shrimp should be peeled and deveined, seasoned with black pepper and salt, and then lightly dredged in flour.
What size shrimp does this recipe require?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of medium shrimp.
How long should the mushrooms be sautéed?
The sliced mushrooms should be sautéed in the bacon drippings for about 5 minutes until tender.
When do I add the green onions?
Add the sliced green onions after the mushrooms have sautéed for 5 minutes, then cook for another 2 minutes.
How long does it take to cook the shrimp in the skillet?
The shrimp and minced garlic are cooked for about 2 minutes until the shrimp turn lightly golden.
What ingredients are used for the shrimp sauce?
The sauce is made with fat-free chicken broth, fresh lemon juice, and a second dose of Tabasco sauce.
What is the purpose of the broth and lemon juice in the skillet?
They are used to deglaze the pan and incorporate all the flavors into a savory sauce.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
The instructions suggest dividing the mixture into 4 large, shallow bowls, implying 4 servings.
How do you plate the Savory Southern Shrimp and Cheddar Grits?
Divide the grits into bowls, spoon the shrimp and mushroom mixture over the top, and sprinkle with crumbled bacon.
What is recommended as a side garnish?
The dish is best served immediately with lemon wedges on the side for added zing.
Can I use fat-free broth for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests fat-free low-sodium chicken broth for the shrimp mixture.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe calls for 2 cloves of minced garlic.
What provides the heat in this dish?
Tabasco sauce is used in both the grits and the shrimp mixture to provide spice.
What type of pepper is used in the grits vs the shrimp?
White pepper is used for the grits, while black pepper is used to season the shrimp.
Is the lemon juice fresh or bottled?
The recipe recommends 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
There are 22 ingredients used in this recipe.
What texture should the grits have?
The grits should be creamy and thick.
Should the grits be kept warm while preparing the shrimp?
Yes, after removing the grits from the heat and adding the cheese and butter, you should keep them warm.
How are the mushrooms prepared?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of mushrooms, sliced.
Does this recipe include any tags for categorization?
Yes, it is tagged as Southern cuisine, comfort food, seafood, and an easy dinner.