Description
Southern comfort dish Creamy Shrimp and Grits delivers authentic Carolina coastal flavors with succulent shrimp nestled in rich, buttery stone-ground grits. Hearty ingredients and simple preparation make this classic meal a perfect choice for home cooks seeking genuine Southern cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound (454 grams) raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 14 oz (397 grams) smoked sausage link/rope (like Hillshire Farm)
- 1 cup grits
- 2 cups milk or half & half
- 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- ½ cup chicken broth
- ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 4 tbsps butter
- 3 tbsps unsalted butter
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2.5 tsp Creole seasoning
- 2 tsp salt (optional)
- 2 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, diced
- Green onions or fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Spice Preparation: Blend Creole seasoning and smoked paprika, thoroughly coating shrimp to intensify flavor profile. Let spices marinate while prepping other ingredients.
- Sausage Rendering: Slice sausage into thin medallions and sear in a large skillet, achieving a deep golden-brown crust. Remove sausage, reserving the rich, flavor-packed drippings.
- Aromatic Base: Melt butter in the same skillet, adding diced onions and sautéing until translucent. Incorporate minced garlic, stirring until its fragrance permeates the pan.
- Protein Integration: Add seasoned shrimp to the skillet, cooking rapidly until they turn vibrant pink. Extract shrimp and set aside with the seared sausage.
- Sauce Development: Deglaze skillet with chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, scraping up caramelized bits. Reduce liquid, creating an intensely flavored foundation.
- Creamy Fusion: Pour heavy cream into the reduced liquid, creating a luxurious sauce. Reunite sausage and shrimp, brightening with a splash of lemon juice.
- Grits Preparation: Bring broth and milk to a rolling boil in a separate pot. Whisk in grits, reducing heat and covering to achieve a silky, smooth consistency.
- Plating and Garnish: Spread creamy grits as a voluptuous base, topping with the succulent shrimp and sausage ensemble. Garnish with freshly chopped green onions or parsley for a final flourish of color and flavor.
Notes
- Spice Precision: Layer Creole seasoning and smoked paprika evenly to ensure every shrimp absorbs maximum flavor without overwhelming heat.
- Sausage Rendering Technique: Brown sausage slowly to release rich fat, creating a golden caramelized surface that becomes the flavor foundation for the entire dish.
- Shrimp Cooking Timing: Cook shrimp quickly over high heat just until pink to prevent rubbery texture, which typically takes 2-3 minutes maximum.
- Grits Consistency Control: Whisk grits constantly while adding to hot liquid, preventing lumps and achieving a silky, smooth texture that serves as a creamy base.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Southern American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg