Southern Type 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 sizzling sauce and a squeeze of contemporary lemon and also you’ve received 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 dwelling life. This Southern staple is simple to arrange, hearty and filling, whereas delivering large taste. Buttery, tacky grits mixed with savory bacon and garlic shrimp makes our mouths water! High all of it off with somewhat sizzling sauce and also you’ve received a scrumptious meal that’s certain to grow to be 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.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s an awesome chef tip.
• Butter: We use salted butter so as to add simply the correct quantity 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 the most effective texture. Frozen shrimp can be utilized if thawed correctly. You ca go away tails on or take away them earlier than cooking..
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic supplies the most effective taste, however jarred minced garlic works too.
• Bacon: Use normal bacon or thick-cut. You’ll wish 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 nicely and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has the most effective taste.
• Scorching Sauce: High off together with your favourite sizzling sauce.

Shrimp Choices

You’ve gotten a couple of choices to select from on the subject of shrimp, actually it’s quite a lot of. There are completely different sizes, frozen or contemporary, veined or deveined, peeled or complete, and all of them work!

For comfort, we favor to prepare dinner with already peeled and deveined shrimp. In case you use frozen, you should definitely thaw them earlier than utilizing.

On the spot vs. White Grits

On the spot grits might prepare dinner up quicker, nonetheless, they lack the higher taste of white grits. It’s value it to take the time to prepare dinner up the true factor which can end result within the creamiest, most flavorful, completely restaurant-quality grits you can also make at dwelling.

Avoiding Lumpy Grits

In case you’re having points with clumping, don’t fear, you aren’t alone. It’s a typical drawback that may be simply fastened. The commonest explanation for clumping shouldn’t be stirring the grits instantly after including them to the liquid. This may trigger the grits to stay collectively and type lumps.

To forestall lumps, be sure to stir the grits repeatedly for the primary jiffy after including them to the liquid. Stir, stir, stir!

Add grits somewhat at a time whereas stirring to make sure that the grits are evenly dispersed within the liquid. You possibly can simply gently sprinkle them excessive of the boiling liquid.

In case your grits are already lumpy, seize a whisk! Attempt whisking vigorously. In case you can’t whisk them out, add a splash of sizzling water and maintain whisking till the clumps dissolve. For additional cussed clumps, you’ll be able to even use an immersion blender briefly to clean them out. Simply don’t overmix.

Regulate the Warmth

For much less warmth: In case you don’t tolerate spice nicely, be at liberty to go away out the recent sauce totally. If you’d like somewhat spice however not numerous warmth, add a pinch of paprika and chili powder as an alternative.

For extra warmth: Be at liberty to simply add extra sizzling 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.