Easy Shrimp and Grits Recipe

4.80 from 50 votes
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Shrimp and Grits Recipe – this easy shrimp and grits is ready in minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.  Cheesy grits take it over the top, the whole family is going to love it!  

This post is sponsored by Princess Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

My family loves shrimp. They pretty much love all seafood. It can be as easy as Hot Crab Dip for a party and they will go crazy.  Or even something as simple as this Baked Cod for a quick dinner.

Recently when I was on the Princess Cruises Alaska cruise I was reminded how much I like grits.  In particular cheddar grits. Please tell me I am not alone.  On the Princess ships there are quite a few dining option. The specialty dining is over the top amazing, and at the Bayou Steakhouse they make the best grits.

A plate of food, with Grits and shrimp

 

I remember from the last cruise I was one, you know the one where I stocked the cafe for Nutella donuts every day, that I needed to be on the lookout for the cheddar grits. The Bayou Steakhouse has an appetizer that is a serving of cheese grits with spicy sausage served over the top.  It is amazing and I ordered it as soon as I saw it on the menu.

As soon as I got home I knew I had to recreate those grits as a meal. And what goes better with grits that shrimp. Who hasn’t heard of shrimp and grits before, right?  I have made it a few times before, but it is always something I forget about. But not anymore! Adding sausage to the mix and making extra cheesy grits turned this into a staple at our house.

What You’ll Need

  • Andouille Sausage
  • Large Shrimp
  • Butter
  • Olive Oil
  • Cajun Seasoning
  • Garlic
  • Lemon Juice
  • Quick Cooking Grits
  • Milk
  • Water
  • Cheddar Cheese
  • Salt
A plate of food, with Grits and Shrimp and grits

What Are Grits

Grits are really nothing more than corn. It is ground corn kernels that is similar in texture to corn meal or polenta. It is a little finer than polenta, but very similar. Then they are boiled with either water or milk until thick and creamy. I like to use a mixture of water and milk so they get extra creamy and delicious.  To make these cheese grits I just added in a little butter and cheese at the end. Super easy and so good.

I buy the quick cooking grits that come in a canister similar to oatmeal. It is usually in the cereal aisle. I follow the directions on the back and just use half milk and half water for the liquid. Once it is hot, I stir in a little butter and cheese to serve. Couldn’t be easier.

A plate of food, with Grits and Shrimp

How To Make Shrimp & Grits

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post for the FULL PRINTABLE recipe card.

  1. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add the sliced sausage to the pan, spreading out into a single layer.  Brown for 3-4 minutes per side, until hot and turning golden.
  2. Meanwhile season shrimp with cajun seasoning.
  3. Remove sausage from the pan. Add olive oil and butter. Once butter is melted add garlic and shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp is fully cooked.  Add sausage back into the pan. Mix and drizzle with lemon juice. 
  4. Meanwhile to make the grits bring water and milk to a boil in a saucepan. Slowly stir in grits.  Reduce heat, over and cook for 5-7 minutes or until thickened; stirring occasionally. Once the grits are thick stir in butter and cheese and mix until well combined.  Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. 
  5. Serve immediately over the grits.
A plate of food on a table, with Grits and Shrimp and grits

What Goes With Shrimp & Grits

It is a pretty full meal with meat and the grits, but you can serve some vegetables on the side or even bread are in the mood!

Storage

Grits are great leftover, store in an airtight container and then reheat in the microwave or stovetop. You may need a little milk to thin them out again. The shrimp is best served the day it is made, so it is best to only cook as much as you need. You can reheat it, it just gets a little rubbery and it isn’t ideal.

More Shrimp Dinner Recipes

Shrimp and Grits Recipe - this easy shrimp and grits is ready in minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.  Cheesy grits take it over the top, the whole family is going to love it!  
4.80 from 50 votes

Shrimp and Grits Recipe

By Erin
Shrimp and Grits Recipe – this easy shrimp and grits is ready in minutes and is perfect for busy weeknights.  Cheesy grits take it over the top, the whole family is going to love it!  
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 15 minutes
Total: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

Ingredients 

Cheese Grits

  • 1 cup quick cooking grits
  • 2 cups water
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 Tablespoon butter

Instructions 

  • Heat a large skillet over medium high heat.  Add the sliced sausage to the pan, spreading out into a single layer.  Brown for 3-4 minutes per side, until hot and turning golden.
  • Meanwhile season shrimp with cajun seasoning.
  • Remove sausage from the pan. Add olive oil and butter. Once butter is melted add garlic and shrimp. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until the shrimp is fully cooked.  Add sausage back into the pan. Mix and drizzle with lemon juice. 
  • Serve immediately over the grits.

To Make Grits

  • In a saucepan bring water and milk to a boil. Slowly stir in grits.  Reduce heat, over and cook for 5-7 minutes or until thickened; stirring occasionally. 
  • Once the grits are thick stir in butter and cheese and mix until well combined.  Season with additional salt and pepper if desired. 

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 16g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 244mg | Sodium: 2209mg | Sugar: 1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Erin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 520
Keyword: Shrimp and Grits
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** This post is sponsored by Princess Cruises. All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

About Erin S

Welcome to Dinners, Dishes, & Desserts where my love of food meets my busy life. My name is Erin and Iโ€™m a casual home cook who loves to feed people. On this blog, youโ€™ll find hundreds of quick and easy recipes made mostly from scratch. My days are spent in the kitchen, creating new recipes to share with family and friends.

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18 Comments

  1. What a lovely, classic dish, and one of my favorites for sure! Glad you were inspired by your trip to try this at home! Yum!

  2. Oh yum! I tried grits for the first time earlier this year when I was in Nashville. I LOVED them! I’m going to have to try your recipe, Erin! Thanks!

  3. you know what will put this recipe over the top….cook a slice of country ham…cut it up in little pieces and make a pan of red eye gravy…add the country ham to the sausage and shrimp and top each bowl with a little red eye gravy….just to die for good!