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Cajun New Orleans Shrimp and Grits

This Cajun New Orleans Shrimp and Grits recipe is made with creamy grits, bacon or sausage, and well-seasoned, spicy gravy. This is a classic Southern Louisiana dish perfect for breakfast, brunch, or even dinner.
Course Breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
Cuisine Cajun, Louisiana, Southern
Keyword Cajun shrimp and grits, Louisiana shrimp and grits, New Orleans shrimp and grits, Southern shrimp and grits
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 405kcal

Ingredients

Grits

  • 2 ¼ cup chicken broth You can also substitute water. See notes.
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup stone ground grits
  • 1 cup milk Any milk will work. See notes.
  • 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan reggiano cheese

Shrimp and Gravy

  • 1 pound raw shrimp Peeled and deveined.
  • 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 slices bacon or 3oz andouille sausage Diced into small pieces 1/4inch thick.
  • 1/2 cup chopped white onions
  • 3 garlic cloves Minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning Start with 1/2 teaspoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust to taste as needed.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

Grits

  • In a large pot combine the broth, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil.
  • Gradually stir in the grits. Lower the heat to Low and continue to stir the grits frequently for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Stirring is essential. If you don’t constantly stir the grits they will be lumpy.
  • Once the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from heat and add the milk and shredded cheese. Stir until thick and creamy.
  • Allow the grits to thicken for at least 10 minutes.

Shrimp and Gravy

  • Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and fry the bacon (or sausage) on both sides until crisp. Remove the bacon (or sausage) and set aside.
  • Reserve the bacon (or sausage) grease in the skillet to make the gravy. Use your judgment and drain any excess grease if you feel the need to.
  • Add the shrimp to the pan with the bacon (or sausage) grease on medium heat. Season the shrimp with the Old Bay Seasoning. Cook both sides of the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
  • Add the chopped onions and garlic to the skillet on medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
  • Add the broth to the skillet. Deglaze the pan by using a wooden spoon or spatula to scoop up any brown bits in the pan.
  • Add in the Cajun seasoning and lemon juice. Stir. Crumble the bacon (or sausage) and sprinkle it into the skillet. See notes for how to thicken the gravy if you like it thick.
  • Serve on plates or in bowls. Add the grits topped with shrimp. Drizzle gravy and bacon throughout.

Notes

  • If you use Instant Grits or Quick Grits refer to your packaging for instructions on how to cook them.
  • The bacon or sausage is used in the recipe for additional flavor. You can also simply omit it if you wish. You can also substitute turkey bacon or sausage.
     
  • Cooking the grits in broth gives them a rich flavor. You can use water if you prefer.
     
  • The thicker the milk you use, the creamier your grits will be. Keep this in mind if you plan to use low-fat skim milk or plant-based milk.
     
  • Feel free to substitute any cheese you like.
  • If you like a thick gravy you can combine 1 tablespoon of water along with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour in a bowl. Mix well and add it to the gravy. Stir continuously until thick. Since the grits are already thick, the dish is often served with a thin sauce. If you like it thick, this will thicken it up.
  • If your shrimp is dry, rubbery, or mushy, you cooked it too long.  The key is to remove them from the heat right when the flesh is uniformly pink. Watch shrimp closely as it cooks, do not wander away, especially if you are cooking it in a pan and searing it on the stove.
  • If you find your grits are runny you can drain any excess water/broth to help with thickening.
  •  If your grits are lumpy it’s because they weren’t whisked and stirred often enough.
  • You can make full proof grits using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Cook for 10 minutes with 15 minutes of release of natural steam.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 405kcal