Southern Model Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish was historically served as a morning meal. We find it irresistible a lot, we’d have it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These heat, creamy grits are loaded with butter and cheddar cheese, topped with sautéed shrimp and crispy bacon. Add a splash (or extra) of sizzling sauce and a squeeze of contemporary lemon and also you’ve bought a bowl of Southern consolation prepared in simply 45 minutes.

For extra Southern consolation meals, strive our Chicken and Dumplings or our Southern Style Red Beans and Rice.

Why Our Recipe

We use white grits for the creamiest grits after which load them up with cheddar cheese.
The shrimp is cooked in bacon grease and garlic to make sure it’s stuffed with taste.
It’s topped off with somewhat lemon juice, sizzling sauce (in fact), bacon, and inexperienced onions.

Spoon full of Southern Style Shrimp and Grits. — Southern Model Shrimp and Grits 40

Shrimp and grits is an iconic, Southern breakfast meals. Image New Orleans and Charleston, the place this humble dish is an integral a part of their on a regular basis house life. This Southern staple is straightforward to arrange, hearty and filling, whereas delivering huge taste. Buttery, tacky grits mixed with savory bacon and garlic shrimp makes our mouths water! High all of it off with somewhat sizzling sauce and also you’ve bought a scrumptious meal that’s certain to change into a household favourite.

Ingredient Notes

Overhead shot of ingredient for Southern Style Shrimp and Grits. — Southern Model Shrimp and Grits 41

White Grits: White grits are extra versatile and tackle the flavors of the dish, whereas yellow grits have a extra assertive corn taste.
Hen Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility permits you to greatest management the flavour. It’s an incredible chef tip.
Butter: We use salted butter so as to add simply the correct quantity of salt to boost the flavors of the grits.
Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese: Freshly shredded melts higher than pre-shredded cheese, which comprises components to stop clumping.
Shrimp (peeled and deveined): Use massive, uncooked shrimp for the very best texture. Frozen shrimp can be utilized if thawed correctly. You ca go away tails on or take away them earlier than cooking..
Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives the very best taste, however jarred minced garlic works too.
Bacon: Use normal bacon or thick-cut. You’ll wish to use precise bacon, slightly than pre-cooked, as a result of you can be cooking the shrimp within the leftover bacon fats.
Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works effectively and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has the very best taste.
Scorching Sauce: High off along with your favourite sizzling sauce.

Shrimp Choices

You may have a number of choices to select from with regards to shrimp, actually it’s various. There are completely different sizes, frozen or contemporary, veined or deveined, peeled or complete, and all of them work!

For comfort, we desire to cook dinner with already peeled and deveined shrimp. In case you use frozen, you’ll want to thaw them earlier than utilizing.

Immediate vs. White Grits

Immediate grits might cook dinner up sooner, nevertheless, they lack the higher taste of white grits. It’s value it to take the time to cook dinner up the true factor which can consequence within the creamiest, most flavorful, completely restaurant-quality grits you can also make at house.

Collage of grits and Shrimp. — Southern Model Shrimp and Grits 42

Avoiding Lumpy Grits

In case you’re having points with clumping, don’t fear, you aren’t alone. It’s a standard downside that may be simply fastened. The commonest reason for clumping isn’t stirring the grits instantly after including them to the liquid. This will trigger the grits to stay collectively and type lumps.

To stop lumps, make sure that to stir the grits repeatedly for the primary couple of minutes after including them to the liquid. Stir, stir, stir!

Add grits somewhat at a time whereas stirring to make sure that the grits are evenly dispersed within the liquid. You’ll be able to simply gently sprinkle them excessive of the boiling liquid.

In case your grits are already lumpy, seize a whisk! Strive whisking vigorously. In case you can’t whisk them out, add a splash of sizzling water and hold whisking till the clumps dissolve. For additional cussed clumps, you may even use an immersion blender briefly to clean them out. Simply don’t overmix.

Small bowl full of Southern Style Shrimp and Grits. — Southern Model Shrimp and Grits 43

Modify the Warmth

For much less warmth: In case you don’t tolerate spice effectively, be at liberty to depart out the new sauce completely. In order for you somewhat spice however not a number of warmth, add a pinch of paprika and chili powder as a substitute.

For extra warmth: Be at liberty to only add extra sizzling sauce. Or, add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper when cooking the shrimp for much more warmth. You may additionally prime with contemporary jalapeño slices or a sprinkle of crimson pepper flakes.

Storage and Reheating Directions

Refrigerate leftovers in an hermetic container for as much as 3 days.

Reheat leftover grits in a saucepan on low warmth. Add somewhat little bit of water or rooster broth to maintain the grits from drying out, and stir often to make sure that they warmth via evenly.. Reheat the shrimp in a skillet over medium warmth which can solely take 1 to 2 minutes.

Microwave the grits in 30-second increments till warmed via. Add a small quantity of water to the grits to skinny out as wanted. Add shrimp on the very finish or reheat individually as they reheat a lot sooner and can get rubbery when overcooked.

Freeze leftover grits in an hermetic container or resealable plastic freezer bag for as much as 3 months. While you’re able to eat them, thaw within the fridge in a single day and reheat as common.