Cajun Shrimp with Grits 🍤🔥🧈 Spicy, Buttery Shrimp Over Creamy, Cheesy Grits With Serious Southern Soul

This dish is pure Southern indulgence — smoky, spicy shrimp tossed in butter and garlic, layered over ultra-creamy grits laced with cheese and a hint of heat. It’s bold, comforting, and deeply craveable. Classic comfort meets skillet-seared fire.

Serve with hot sauce, crusty bread, or just a spoon and a second helping.

Ingredients (Serves 2–3)

For the shrimp

• 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp butter
• Juice of ½ lemon
• Optional: chopped parsley or green onion for garnish

For the grits

• ¾ cup stone-ground or quick grits
• 3 cups water (or half water, half milk for extra creaminess)
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 tbsp butter
• ½–1 cup shredded sharp cheddar (or mix of cheddar + Parmesan)
• Optional: 1–2 tbsp cream or more butter to finish

Instructions

Step 1: Cook the Grits

Bring water (and milk, if using) to a boil. Stir in grits and salt. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring frequently, 10–20 minutes (depending on type), until thick and creamy.

Add butter and cheese. Stir until melted. Keep warm, covered. Add cream or more butter if you want it richer.

Step 2: Season the Shrimp

Toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning and olive oil until coated.

Step 3: Sear

Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add shrimp in a single layer. Sear 1–2 minutes per side until just cooked through and lightly blackened. Add butter and garlic in the last 30 seconds and toss to coat. Squeeze in lemon juice.

Step 4: Serve

Spoon creamy grits into bowls. Top with hot, buttered shrimp. Drizzle pan juices over everything. Garnish with chopped parsley or scallions and serve hot.

Flavor Variations

• Add sautéed bell peppers or andouille sausage to the shrimp
• Use smoked paprika or cayenne in the Cajun blend for more heat
• Stir hot sauce or roasted garlic into the grits
• Swap cheddar for gouda, pepper jack, or even blue cheese
• Add a fried or poached egg on top for brunch vibes

Pro Tips

• Stone-ground grits = best texture, but quick grits work in a pinch
• Stir grits frequently — they love to stick
• Shrimp cook fast — don’t walk away once they hit the pan
• Want extra sauce? Deglaze the pan with a splash of broth or cream after searing
• Grits too thick? Loosen with a splash of hot water or milk before serving

Final Thoughts

Cajun Shrimp with Grits brings together creamy, spicy, buttery, and bold in one comforting bowl. It’s the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes after the first bite — soulful, simple, and hard to stop eating.

Sear it. Swirl it. Spoon it deep. 🍤🔥🧈

🦐 More Coastal Seafood Recipes

From cozy casseroles to zesty grilled fish and elegant seafood pastas, this collection of Seafood Recipes covers every ocean-inspired craving — whether you’re planning a dinner party or a quick weeknight win.

• 🐟 Classic Seafood Dish Recipes – Think pan-seared salmon with lemon dill and timeless coastal favorites.
• 🦞 Delicious Seafood Boil Recipes – Spicy, saucy boils packed with crab, shrimp, and corn. The ultimate feast.
• 🍝 Seafood Pasta Recipes – Elegant and indulgent, like shrimp linguine in a white wine sauce.
• 🍤 Shrimp Recipes – Versatile, fast, and flavor-packed; smoky grills to sizzling stir-fries
• 🐟 Salmon Recipes – Baking & grilling to bowls, pastas, and more — healthy, flavorful, and easy to make/
• 🦞 Seafood Casseroles – Bubbly, Buttery & Oven-Ready. Comfort food meets coastal flavor.
• 🥣 Flavorful Seafood Soups – Rich chowders, bisques, and broth-based favorites.
• 🍽️ Easy Seafood Dinner Recipes – Quick, delicious, easy recipes bring bold flavor with minimal prep and cleanup
• 🥗 Healthy Seafood Recipes – Light, fresh & packed with protein and omega-3s with bright, satisfying flavor
• 🍚 Risotto Recipes with Seafood – Creamy, silky rice dishes meet the richness of the sea.
• 🌊 Seafood Stews – Mediterranean, Latin to classic American, hearty stews with satisfying depth in your bowl.
• 🍝🧀 Seafood Lasagna – Lasagna meets the sea in these rich and satisfying delicious twist classic bakes.