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Shrimp + Grits + Cocktail

April 8, 2013 by Joy the Baker 77 Comments

shrimp + grits

This isn’t my first rodeo.  I’ve been down this shrimp and grits road before… and I’ve taken you with me.  My last encounter with a warm dish of creamy grits and spicy shrimp was served to a gentleman whose only remark was that I had failed to remove the tails from the shrimp before serving them to him.  Really, dude?  Really!?  So ended that short relationship (not really… but sort of… FOR REAL).

I needed a redo.  Not for flavor’s sake, just for my own self… and because I totally just wanted a giant bowl of this madness.

New dating rule #37:  I graciously and happily remove a cooked shrimp tail for every car door that is graciously opened for me.  Respect, yo!

ps.  I don’t actually have thirty-seven dating rules.  I do, however, have two giant bowls of lunch.  Who’s counting (I am).

shrimp + grits + cocktail

I made these Shrimp + Grits with my friend Jonathan.  I bought the shrimp, he crashed my house with beer, cucumber, and lime… and we shot pictures on the floor by my front door (see Instagram) (we’re really fancy).

Jonathan made a bonkers cocktail to pair with the Shrimp + Grits… a Cucumber Blonde Bloody Mary.  It’s fizzy and refreshing.  It’s takes the tomato thickness out of the traditional Bloody Mary and makes this cocktail truly gulp-able.  In addition to being an awesome bringer-of-cocktails-to-my-house, Jonathan is also an incredible photographer, baker… and he’s obsessed with my cat.  All the things I look for in a friend.

shrimp + grits

If you need some Shrimp + Grits inspiration, you’ve totally come to the right place.

You can count on two things when Shrimp + Grits come out of my kitchen:  the grits will be cheesy, and the shrimp will be buttery.

Please don’t call the diet police.

shrimp + grits

Grits are cooked up with a hearty handful of sharp cheddar cheese and a big pat of butter.  Salt and too coarsely ground black pepper make nice additions.

shrimp + grits

Before cooking up the shrimp, I sautéed spicy Italian sausage with a bit of garlic.  The sausage adds another level of flavor and spice with a saltiness that speaks to my heart.

Green onions, a good squeeze of lemon, and fresh parsley are added as bright finishing touches.

shrimp + grits

This is my comfort.  I’d like a pillow made out of Shrimp + Grits.

No… wait.  That’s impossible.  Instead I’d like a pillow made out of Chocolate Chip Challah, with a side of Shrimp + Grits.

That makes no sense, and yet I’m going to let it stand.

shrimp + grits

Shrimp + Grits is cornmeal gruel brought to its highest level.  It’s warm and comforting, and really… make sure you only take the tails off the shrimp for someone you really love.  It’s worth waiting for.

Spicy shrimp + Cold Beer Bloody Mary… such a major win!

Shrimp + Grits

serves 4

Print this Recipe!

4 cups water

1 cup stone ground grits (also known as polenta)

salt and pepper

3 Tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 pound spicy Italian sausage (I used two uncooked links)

1 large garlic clove, minced

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined without the tails

4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

2 Tablespoons parsley, chopped

1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions

Bring water to a boil.  Add grits to the boiling water while whisking to prevent clumps.  Add a bit of salt and pepper.  Lower heat, bring to simmer and cover until water is absorbed.  Follow the directions on your box of grits or polenta.  Cooking times vary, my coarse grits cooked up in about 15 minutes.  Once thick, remove from heat and stir in butter and shredded cheese.

In a medium skillet over medium heat, cook up the sausage.  Remove the meat from the casing (if it’s in one) and break the meat into small bits with a spoon as it cooks.  Once the meat is cooked through, add the garlic and cook for one minute more.  Add shrimp and cook until shrimp turn pink.  Add lemon juice, scallions, and parsley.  Cook for another three minutes.

Spoon the grits into a serving bowl and top with shrimp mixture.  Serve happily.

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  1. Judy H

    June 5, 2020 at 6:42 am

    This is now the only shrimp and grits recipe I make. My whole family loves it! The burst of fresh lemon on top is the icing on the cake. The whole thing is just delicious and it’s become a family classic that we will make forever. Since i first made it, my daughter has moved out and now makes it for her family, too! Thank you for a wonderful recipe!

    Reply
    • Gretchen

      March 1, 2022 at 8:12 am

      Well, no another name for grits is not necessarily “polenta”. Those are yellow grits. Shrimp and grits was originally made with white grits as a cheap breakfast dish for lowcountry shrimp boat owners. So cook your stone ground white grits with half milk and half water. And get the yellow color of the finished grits by adding enough cheese!! The sausage addition is interesting as are the other additions.

      Reply
  2. Neel

    March 7, 2020 at 3:14 pm

    This was really good, and really easy and quick to make. Next time, I might just use one or two less tbsp of butter. Thanks for the great recipe!

    Reply
  3. priyanka

    November 17, 2017 at 4:35 am

    Looks great – can’t wait to try. I was looking for something new and different (for me), and this is it!

    Reply
  4. bewitchered

    August 3, 2016 at 9:16 am

    Planning to make this for my grandparents first visit to our home in Houston! They’re from Jackson, so they know their grits :)

    Reply
  5. grannyhall

    January 4, 2016 at 6:34 pm

    It’s January 2016 and I discovered this recipe this morning. Made it for dinner tonight! Excellent.

    Reply
  6. Darlene Duttlinger

    October 31, 2014 at 1:10 pm

    I think this is my new favorite dish! What’s not to like? Shrimp, grits, cheese, Italian sausage!!! Just thinking about this dish makes my mouth water. Thank you for posting this recipe.

    Reply
  7. Lily @ Life, Love, and Cupcakes

    January 8, 2014 at 9:27 am

    Shrimp and grits is pretty much my favorite comfort food EVER! But I have to admit, I do insist on removing the tails lol

    Reply
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Trackbacks

  1. New Year's Eve Party Inspiration - ISABELLA STUDIOISABELLA STUDIO says:
    December 29, 2015 at 9:19 am

    […] Individual Shrimp & Grits, Roasted Balsamic Cranberry Brie Crostini, Sun-Dried Tomato & Basil Pinwheels, and some delicious looking Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Hazelnut Fudge. YUM […]

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  2. Shrimp and Grits | bediva says:
    September 6, 2015 at 5:22 am

    […] Shrimp + Grits + Cocktail […]

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  3. These Are a Few of Our Favorite Folks! | says:
    December 15, 2014 at 7:09 am

    […] of our favorites: Shrimp+Grits+Cocktail, Campfire Scones, Lemon Raspberry Pie Crust […]

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  4. Shrimp Greatness | Courageous Mimi says:
    July 18, 2013 at 6:46 pm

    […] https://joythebaker.com/2013/04/shrimp-grits-cocktail/ […]

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  5. Shrimp and Grits | rachel's food blog says:
    June 9, 2013 at 4:39 pm

    […] https://joythebaker.com/2013/04/shrimp-grits-cocktail/ […]

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