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 splash (or extra) of scorching 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 house 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 a bit scorching sauce and also you’ve received 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 lets you finest 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 stop clumping.
• Shrimp (peeled and deveined): Use massive, uncooked shrimp for the very best 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 very best taste, however jarred minced garlic works too.
• Bacon: Use normal bacon or thick-cut. You’ll wish to use precise bacon, somewhat than pre-cooked, as a result of you’ll be cooking the shrimp within the leftover bacon fats.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works effectively and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed all the time has the very best taste.
• Sizzling Sauce: High off together with your favourite scorching sauce.

Shrimp Choices

You could have a number of choices to select from in terms of shrimp, actually it’s quite a lot of. There are totally different sizes, frozen or contemporary, veined or deveined, peeled or complete, and all of them work!

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

Instantaneous vs. White Grits

Instantaneous grits might cook dinner up sooner, nevertheless, 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 consequence within the creamiest, most flavorful, completely restaurant-quality grits you may make at house.

Avoiding Lumpy Grits

If you happen to’re having points with clumping, don’t fear, you aren’t alone. It’s a standard drawback that may be simply mounted. The most typical reason behind clumping just isn’t stirring the grits instantly after including them to the liquid. This will trigger the grits to stay collectively and kind lumps.

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

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

In case your grits are already lumpy, seize a whisk! Strive whisking vigorously. If you happen to can’t whisk them out, add a splash of scorching water and hold 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: If you happen to don’t tolerate spice effectively, be happy to depart out the new sauce solely. If you’d like a bit spice however not a number of warmth, add a pinch of paprika and chili powder as an alternative.

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