Southern Model Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish was historically served as a morning meal. We like it 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 touch (or extra) of scorching sauce and a squeeze of contemporary lemon and also you’ve obtained a bowl of Southern consolation prepared in simply 45 minutes.

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

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 residence life. This Southern staple is simple to organize, hearty and filling, whereas delivering massive taste. Buttery, tacky grits mixed with savory bacon and garlic shrimp makes our mouths water! High all of it off with slightly scorching sauce and also you’ve obtained a scrumptious meal that’s certain to change into a household favourite.

Ingredient Notes

• 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 amount of salt to boost the flavors of the grits.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese:  Freshly shredded melts higher than pre-shredded cheese, which incorporates components to forestall clumping.
• Shrimp (peeled and deveined): Use massive, uncooked shrimp for one of the best texture. Frozen shrimp can be utilized if thawed correctly. You ca depart tails on or take away them earlier than cooking..
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic gives one of the best taste, however jarred minced garlic works too.
• Bacon: Use normal bacon or thick-cut. You’ll need to use precise bacon, slightly than pre-cooked, as a result of you may be cooking the shrimp within the leftover bacon fats.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works properly and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has one of the best taste.
• Sizzling Sauce: High off together with your favourite scorching sauce.

Shrimp Choices

You will have a couple of choices to select from in terms of shrimp, actually it’s various. There are completely different sizes, frozen or contemporary, veined or deveined, peeled or entire, and all of them work!

For comfort, we favor to cook dinner with already peeled and deveined shrimp. For those who use frozen, be sure you thaw them earlier than utilizing.

On the spot vs. White Grits

On the spot grits might cook dinner up quicker, nonetheless, they lack the higher taste of white grits. It’s price it to take the time to cook dinner up the actual factor which is able to outcome within the creamiest, most flavorful, completely restaurant-quality grits you can also make at residence.

Avoiding Lumpy Grits

For those who’re having points with clumping, don’t fear, you aren’t alone. It’s a standard downside that may be simply mounted. The commonest reason behind clumping isn’t stirring the grits instantly after including them to the liquid. This could trigger the grits to stay collectively and kind lumps.

To stop lumps, be certain to stir the grits constantly for the primary couple of minutes after including them to the liquid. Stir, stir, stir!

Add grits slightly 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! Attempt whisking vigorously. For those who can’t whisk them out, add a splash of scorching water and maintain whisking till the clumps dissolve. For further cussed clumps, you’ll be able to even use an immersion blender briefly to clean them out. Simply don’t overmix.

Modify the Warmth

For much less warmth: For those who don’t tolerate spice properly, be at liberty to depart out the new sauce totally. If you would like slightly spice however not numerous warmth, add a pinch of paprika and chili powder as an alternative.

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