Description
A quick, 15-minute weeknight Southern comfort dinner featuring creamy cheddar grits topped with spicy, smoky shrimp and a rich bacon gravy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 6 slices thick-cut bacon
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- 2 stalks green onions, sliced
- Hot sauce to taste
Instructions
- Bring 3 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in quick-cooking grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5-7 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Stir in butter, cheddar cheese, and heavy cream into the grits. Taste and adjust salt, then cover and keep warm on low heat.
- Chop thick-cut bacon into 1-inch pieces. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until crispy and fat is rendered.
- Remove crispy bacon with a slotted spoon, leaving the fat in the pan.
- Reduce heat to medium-low. Sprinkle flour into the hot bacon fat and whisk constantly for 1-2 minutes until the roux is light golden brown.
- Slowly pour in chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Add smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until thickened.
- Increase heat to medium-high. Add patted-dry shrimp to the gravy. Season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque.
- Remove from heat and stir in hot sauce if using.
- Spoon grits into bowls, ladle shrimp and gravy over top, and garnish with reserved bacon and green onions.
Notes
Pat shrimp dry before cooking to ensure they sear rather than steam. Do not overcook shrimp or they will become rubbery. Grits thicken as they sit; add a splash of milk or broth when reheating leftovers. For a vegetarian version, substitute bacon with butter and use vegetable broth.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl per serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 2
- Sodium: 900
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 2
- Protein: 35
Keywords: shrimp and grits, southern comfort food, bacon gravy, quick dinner, weeknight meals, smoky shrimp, cheesy grits