{"id":942,"date":"2025-07-30T20:57:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-30T20:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/?p=942"},"modified":"2025-07-30T20:57:06","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T20:57:06","slug":"creamy-shrimp-and-grits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/?p=942","title":{"rendered":"Creamy Shrimp and Grits"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Shrimp and Grits is the kind of Southern comfort dish that wraps you up and never lets go. It\u2019s rich, creamy, buttery, smoky, and downright soulful. Originating in the Lowcountry of the South, this dish started as a humble breakfast staple and evolved into an all-day classic with deep cultural roots. The magic happens when buttery, stone-ground grits are slow-cooked until tender and creamy, then topped with juicy shrimp that\u2019s been saut\u00e9ed in garlic, spices, and smoky bacon drippings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether you like yours fiery and bold or mellow and buttery, this recipe has the flexibility to fit your mood. It\u2019s fancy enough to serve for brunch with friends but cozy enough to enjoy barefoot on a weeknight. And let\u2019s be real\u2014there are few things in life more comforting than a bowl of hot, cheesy grits with juicy shrimp piled high on top. This version keeps it traditional but elevated with seasoned layers, richness from heavy cream and sharp cheddar, and shrimp cooked in a quick bacon-garlic butter sauce. Every bite hits creamy, smoky, and savory notes that\u2019ll have you going back for seconds (and thirds).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For the Grits:<\/strong>
\u2022 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant or quick-cook)
\u2022 4 cups water or a mix of 2 cups water + 2 cups chicken broth
\u2022 1 cup whole milk
\u2022 \u00bd cup heavy cream
\u2022 3 tbsp unsalted butter
\u2022 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
\u2022 1 tsp salt
\u2022 \u00bc tsp black pepper
\u2022 Optional: pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne for extra warmth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the Shrimp Topping:<\/strong>
\u2022 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
\u2022 4 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped
\u2022 1 tbsp butter
\u2022 3 garlic cloves, minced
\u2022 \u00bd tsp smoked paprika
\u2022 \u00bc tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
\u2022 \u00bd tsp Old Bay or Creole seasoning
\u2022 Salt and pepper to taste
\u2022 1 tbsp lemon juice
\u2022 2 tbsp chopped green onions
\u2022 Optional: chopped parsley for garnish<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instructions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Make the Grits:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. In a large saucepan, bring water or broth and milk to a gentle boil over medium heat.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Slowly whisk in the grits to avoid clumping.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring often, for 20\u201325 minutes or until thick and creamy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Stir in heavy cream, butter, salt, pepper, and shredded cheddar cheese.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Continue cooking for 5 more minutes, stirring frequently, until grits are smooth and luscious.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Cover and keep warm while preparing the shrimp.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Cook the Shrimp and Sauce:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \n
    1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Add butter to the bacon grease. Once melted, add garlic and saut\u00e9 for 30 seconds until fragrant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Add shrimp to the skillet and season with paprika, cayenne, Old Bay, salt, and pepper.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    4. Cook shrimp for 2\u20133 minutes per side or until pink and just cooked through.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    5. Add lemon juice and toss to coat, then stir in the crispy bacon and chopped green onions.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      Assemble and Serve:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n
      1. Spoon a generous portion of hot grits into each bowl.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      2. Top with the garlicky shrimp and spoon extra sauce from the pan over the top.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      3. Garnish with chopped parsley, more green onions, or a dusting of cayenne if desired.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      4. Serve hot and enjoy the layers of creamy, smoky, and spicy flavor in every bite.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Serving Suggestions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 Pair with sweet cornbread or cheddar biscuits to complete the meal
        \u2022 Add saut\u00e9ed mushrooms or wilted spinach for extra veggies
        \u2022 For brunch, serve with a poached egg on top and a splash of hot sauce
        \u2022 Make it a platter with fried green tomatoes or okra on the side
        \u2022 Pair with sweet tea, lemonade, or a crisp glass of white wine<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Tips for Best Results<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        \u2022 Use stone-ground grits\u2014not instant\u2014for rich texture and true Southern flavor
        \u2022 Stir grits often while cooking to prevent sticking or clumping
        \u2022 Don\u2019t skimp on cheese or butter\u2014this dish thrives on richness
        \u2022 Use raw, peeled shrimp for the best sear and flavor
        \u2022 Bacon grease + butter = the secret to deep, smoky flavor in the shrimp sauce
        \u2022 Taste and season as you go\u2014balance is key with spice, salt, and lemon
        \u2022 Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and presentation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Why You\u2019ll Love It<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        This Shrimp and Grits recipe is creamy, cheesy, smoky, and packed with flavor from top to bottom. The grits are soft and velvety with a buttery, cheesy depth, while the shrimp is bold, savory, and just the right amount of spicy. Bacon adds that salty crunch that ties everything together, and the garlic-lemon sauce finishes the dish with a bright punch. It\u2019s Southern soul food with restaurant-level flair\u2014comforting, elevated, and endlessly satisfying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        Shrimp and Grits is more than just a dish\u2014it\u2019s a Southern ritual. It\u2019s the kind of meal that feeds your belly and your soul, with textures that melt together and flavors that light up the bowl. Whether you\u2019re serving it for a special brunch or an everyday dinner, this version is guaranteed to make your kitchen feel like a cozy caf\u00e9 in Charleston or New Orleans. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \n

        Stick around\u2014every visit tastes better than the last at The Buttered Bliss.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Shrimp and Grits is the kind of Southern comfort dish that wraps you up and never lets go. It\u2019s rich, creamy, buttery, smoky, and downright soulful. Originating in the Lowcountry of the South, this dish started as a humble breakfast staple and evolved into an all-day classic with deep cultural roots. The magic happens when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":925,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cooking-recipes"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=942"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":943,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942\/revisions\/943"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/925"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thebutteredbliss.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}