Instant Pot Easy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits
Instant Pot Easy Cheesy Shrimp and Grits is a quick pressure cooker recipe that uses either stone ground grits or quick grits with cheese, butter, and tons of flavor. This dish highlights authentic southern shrimp and grits with gravy. The grits take 10 minutes to make, no more standing at the stove stirring grits!!
Servings 4
Calories 405kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Shrimp and Sauce
- 1 pound raw shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bacon chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1/2 cup chicken-broth I use low-sodium
- 1 teaspoon Creole Seasoning omit if you do not desire a hint of spicy
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Grits
- 1 cup stone ground grits
- 1 cups chicken broth I use low-sodium
- 1 1/4 cup milk I used almond
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup white cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/4 cup parmesan reggiano cheese shredded
Instructions
- Place the Instant Pot on the saute function. Add the chopped bacon and cook for 3-4 minutes until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, drain most of the bacon grease. I reserved about a teaspoon.
- Add the onions and garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until the garlic and onions become fragrant.
- Add the 1/2 cup chicken broth, Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning, and fresh lemon juice. Stir.
- You can remove the sauce/gravy from the Instant Pot and cook the grits separately if you wish (without using the Pot in Pot method). Remove the gravy and add the grits, 1 cup of chicken broth, milk, and salt. Grits normally stick to the pot. Grease it with oil first, I use olive oil.
- Optional Pot in Pot Method with Stackable Steamer: Add the trivet and stackable steamer to the pot over the sauce. Fill the stackable steamer with the grits, 1 cup of chicken broth, milk, and salt. Wisk well to eliminate any lumps. You can choose to cover the grits or keep them uncovered. I have tested both and yielded similar results.
- Close and seal the pot. Cook for 10 Minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking.
- Season the shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning and salt and pepper to taste.
- When the pot indicates it has finished, allow the steam to release naturally for 15 minutes instead of performing a quick release.
- Open the pot and remove the stackable steamer.
- Place the Instant Pot on saute function. Add the shrimp to the pot. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp have turned bright pink.
- While the shrimp cooks add the butter and shredded cheese to the grits. Stir well to combine. Wisk any lumps in the grits. (Using the Instant Pot you shouldn't have any!)
- Serve the shrimp and gravy sauce over the grits topped with the crumbled bacon.
Video
Notes
Can You Add Tomatoes to this Recipe?
Yes, if you wish to add tomatoes, I recommend 15oz can of fire roasted diced tomatoes. Add them with the onions during the initial steps.
Growing up, we didn't add tomatoes to our grits. Within recent years I have observed the trend of tomatoes with gravy and grits served at restaurants for dinner and/or brunch.
How Long Does it Take to Cook Grits in the Instant Pot?
Stone ground grits will take 10 minutes on Manual > High-Pressure Cooking, with 15 minutes natural release and Quick Grits will take 10 minutes on Manual High-Pressure Cooking with 10 minutes natural release.
Can You Cook Grits in the Instant Pot Without Using a Pan Inside the Pot?
Yes, in fact, this is my favorite way to cook grits in the Instant Pot. I provided instructions for how to cook the grits using the stackable pans for the people that would like to save time or don't have two Instant Pots.
I have two Instant Pots. So I have also prepared this recipe by lining the Instant Pot with olive oil using a cooking brush and then adding my grits and other ingredients. I cooked the bacon and prepared the shrimp and gravy in my second Instant Pot.
What to Do if the Grits are Too Thick
Most of us who grew up eating grits love thick grits. If the grits are too thick for you add a little milk until it reaches your desired texture.
What to Do if the You Need More Gravy
Add a little more chicken broth to the onions and garlic mixture.
Nutrition
Calories: 405kcal