It’s hard to believe how comforting, creamy and flavorful these Spicy Southern Shrimp and Grits are. Topped with spicy sautéed shrimp and based with a beautifully creamy cheesy blanket of Southern grits, this easy meal is sure to please to be a major crowd-pleaser! Dairy-free options available.
Top Five Tips for Perfect Grits:
Link to Creamy Southern Cheese Grits recipe here…just click!
#1: Heat + Soak Grits: Much like cashews, this allows grits to soften, cook faster, and become creamier.
#2: Boil grits for 20-30 minutes uncovered, but make sure to stir regularly to avoid lumps.
#3: It’s all about adding milk, water, + heavy cream with cheese for the ultimate creaminess.
#4: Don’t be afraid to season your grits. It amplifies the flavors more.
#5: Low + slow is always best. This allows the grits to slowly release their starches for a decadent, silky texture.
Ingredients for Shrimp:
Here’s what you need for this spicy Cajun shrimp:
- Shrimp. I use jumbo, which are the biggest and sweetest.
- Cajun seasoning. Use store-bought or my homemade seasoning blend.
- Butter. I recommend unsalted. For a dairy-free option, use vegan butter.
- Garlic. If you don’t have fresh, substitute with ½ teaspoon of powdered garlic.
- Scotch bonnet. You can find these in specialty Caribbean stores, however, if needed—you can use habanero peppers.
Ingredients for Cheesy Southern Grits:
Here’s what you need to make these creamy, rich grits at home:
https://northeastnosh.com/creamy-southern-cheese-grits/
- White corn grits. You can find these at most well-stocked grocery stores, often in the grain’s aisle.
- Almond milk. You can use regular milk or another non-dairy version. Just make sure it’s unsweetened.
- Heavy cream. I like to use organic dairy.
- Seasonings. I spice my grits with smoked paprika and Cajun seasoning.
- Butter. Use unsalted to better control the seasoning of your grits.
- Cheddar cheese. I like to use mild, but if you like a stronger flavor, use sharp or extra-sharp.
How to Make Vegan Southern Grits:
To make this recipe dairy-free, use these swaps:
- Use vegan butter instead of unsalted butter
- Swap the cream for coconut milk (full fat)
- Use vegan cheese instead of cheddar
Do You Eat the Skin on Shrimp?
Yes, you can if desired! The shrimp shells are cooked until tender and is infused with seasonings and spice, which make it truly easy and delicious to eat as a whole. Of course, if preferred, you can always remove the shells.
Homemade Cajun Seasoning Blend:
Sure, you can find pre-made seasoning blends at the grocery store. But there’s nothing like the fresh, customized flavor you get by making your own blend. The herbs and spices in the Cajun spice mix for this recipe are inspired by the fresh herbs that work so beautifully together to create a bold, spicy flavor (from the cayenne + paprika).
You can Store the seasoning blend in an airtight container at room temperature for up to six months. Use it on anything from simple roasted vegetables to salad dressing to herb oil for dipping bread.
CAJUN SEASONING BLEND:
To make your seasoning, combine:
- Garlic powder
- Italian seasoning
- Smoked paprika
- Sea salt
- Black pepper
- Cayenne
- Dried thyme
- Onion powder
Together, these herbs and spices strike the perfect balance of savory and fresh with a bit of smoky heat.
What You’ll Love About This Shrimp + Grits:
- It’s easy to make.
- Full of flavor.
- Ultra Creamy!
- Minimal ingredients required.
- Easy to store leftovers and re-purpose.
- The epitome of comfort food for ANY season.
- Did I mention absolutely delicious?!
Adding Greens:
If you want to add some greens to these shrimp + grits, you certainly can. Off the top—-kale, spinach, or collard greens make great additions. Also, roasted broccolini is one of my favorites to add.
Storage Suggestions:
Grits are at their best when they’re hot and soft. However, you can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days. To serve, reheat the grits on the stove or in the microwave in 30-second intervals until soft. If necessary, add a dash more milk, cream, or water to help loosen them up. You can store leftover shrimp in an airtight container for 3 to 4 days.
More Recipe Suggestions:
New Orleans Cajun Beef and Grits
Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce (Surf and Turf)
Creamy Vegan Pesto Potato Salad
Grilled Shrimp Bowl with Avocado, Corn Salsa & Creamy Garlic Sauce
Spicy Southern Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
CREAMY GRITS:
- 1 Creamy Southern Cheese Grits CLICK FOR RECIPE
CAJUN SHRIMP:
- 1 lb. wild-caught jumbo shrimp deveined
- 3 Tbsps. unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1-2 Tbsps. Cajun seasoning
- 1 scotch bonnet pepper optional (You can also use habanero pepper)
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING:
- 2 Tbsps. garlic powder
- 2 Tbsps. Italian seasoning
- 2 Tbsps. smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
Instructions
TO MAKE HOMEMADE CAJUN SEASONING:
- Mix all Cajun seasoning ingredients together in a bowl and set aside until ready to use.
TO MAKE THE CREAMY SOUTHERN GRITS:
- Follow the instructions in my Creamy Southern Cheese Grits recipe.
SAUTE THE SHRIMP:
- In a large 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 Tbsps. of butter until melted. Add in the minced garlic to sauté frequently about 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Next, add in the shrimp (seasoned w/ 2 Tbsps. of Cajun seasoning) and cook on both sides (about 3-4 minutes), until pink and cook through. Add remaining 1 tablespoon of butter (along with the 1 scotch bonnet) and let everything simmer for another minute until shrimp are coated with a light sauce/gravy from the butter and seasonings.
- In serving bowls, spread the grits into the bottoms of the bowls and top with sautéed shrimp. Sprinkle red pepper flakes (optional) atop and serve immediately.
- Bon Appétit!
STORAGE:
- Leftovers can be kept in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Re-heat when ready to serve.
SPICES/HERBS:
- If desired, you can reduce the amounts slightly. Please know that this recipe is bold in flavor, so feel free to adjust based on your tastebuds.
CAJUN SEASONING (STORAGE):
- Any leftover Cajun seasoning mix can be stored in a Ziplock bag for later use or used as garnish.
DAIRY-FREE OPTION:
- To make these shrimp + grits entirely dairy-free, just substitute the unsalted butter with vegan butter, the heavy cream with full-fat coconut cream/milk, and the cheese with dairy-free shreds or nutritional yeast.
