How to Make Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits are super easy to make and can turn any occasion into a delicious and classic Southern comfort food meal.

If you’ve ever visited the South, you’ve surely had a chance to enjoy this classic comfort food favorite. Shrimp and Grits is a classic southern dish that’s uniquely special enough for a wedding or holiday brunch, but easy enough for a weeknight family meal.

In fact, I can recall back before becoming an old unmillennial who is about to celebrate her TWENTY YEAR ANNIVERSARY(!), I went to many a wedding that had a Shrimp and Grits bar (I kinda wonder was that a trend in my day or are millennials hosting shrimp and grit bars these days, too? If anyone knows, tell me.)

No matter, there are plenty of reasons to love this dish. It’s the perfect pairing of spicy, creamy comfort food. The key is to make sure your grits are thick and salted (not “salty” but the hallmark of a good southern bowl of grits is that they be thick and well seasoned.) The recipe below goes easy on the hot sauce, even at 3 tablespoons. But if you like yours extra spicy, feel free to use more.

Print

Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits are super easy to make and can turn any occasion into a delicious and classic Southern comfort food meal.

  • Author: Regan Jones
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/4 cups water
  • 2/3 cup dry quick-cooking grits (not instant)
  • 1 1/4 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons butter, divided
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons hot sauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 12 ounces medium-size shrimp, peeled and deveined

Instructions

  1. Combine water, grits and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in milk and 1 tablespoon butter. Continue cooking an additional 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.
  2. Combine remaining butter and next 6 ingredients (through salt) in a large non-stick skillet; bring to a boil. Add shrimp, and cook 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until shrimp are done.

Keywords: shrimp and grits

Did you make this recipe?

We'd love if if you'd Comment and Review!

Before you go… You might like more of my EASY DINNER RECIPES:

© This Unmillennial Life ® by Regan Jones. All images & content on this site are copyright protected. Please do not use my images or content without my permission.

Before you go, check out these popular Recipes & Podcast Episodes:


All images and recipes on this site are the property of Regan Jones, RDN. Please do not use them for commercial or social media use without my permission.

6 Comments

  1. Debbie on August 21, 2019 at 8:12 pm

    Delicious. Will make again however will reduce the salt



    • thisunmillenniallife on August 22, 2019 at 8:07 am

      Thanks for letting me know!



  2. Schwanna on January 12, 2019 at 7:13 am

    I have been looking for a shrimp and grits recipe. I made this and it taste great, I feel like a Top Chef!



    • thisunmillenniallife on January 12, 2019 at 7:47 am

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it!



  3. Samantha on January 6, 2019 at 11:36 am

    This is my go to shrimp and grits recipe. Thanks for a delicious addition to my cookbook!!



    • thisunmillenniallife on January 6, 2019 at 5:11 pm

      So glad you enjoy it, Samantha!