Description
Carolina Shrimp and Grits is a quintessential Southern dish that perfectly marries succulent shrimp with creamy, stone-ground grits. This comforting meal bursts with flavors, featuring crispy bacon, zesty lemon, and aromatic garlic. Ideal for cozy nights or festive gatherings, it transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality feast that will impress your family and friends. Whether you’re a novice cook or a seasoned chef, this recipe captures the heart of Southern cooking while allowing you to add your personal touch.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb fresh large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water (salted)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 3 green onions, sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tsp Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Gradually whisk in stone-ground grits until smooth.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in butter and cream.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon but retain fat in the pan.
- Add shrimp seasoned with Old Bay and sauté until pink (about 3-5 minutes). Stir in garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Return bacon to the skillet; squeeze lemon juice over the mixture and stir well.
- Serve creamy grits topped with shrimp mixture and garnish with green onions.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 190mg