Shrimp Grits Garlic Butter (Printable)

Tender shrimp in garlic butter served atop creamy, cheesy Southern-style grits.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grits

01 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
02 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
05 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
06 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Shrimp

08 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
09 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
11 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Garlic Butter Sauce

14 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
15 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
16 - 1/4 cup scallions, thinly sliced
17 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
18 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

# Method:

01 - Bring chicken broth and whole milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy and thickened.
02 - Stir in shredded cheddar cheese, unsalted butter, kosher salt, and black pepper. Adjust seasoning as needed and keep warm.
03 - Combine smoked paprika, cayenne pepper if using, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss shrimp with the seasoning mixture.
04 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp and set aside.
05 - Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add sliced scallions and cook for 1 minute.
06 - Return shrimp to the skillet, add chopped parsley and lemon juice, and toss to coat evenly. Remove from heat.
07 - Ladle creamy grits into bowls, top with shrimp and garlic butter sauce. Garnish with additional scallions and parsley as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Classic Southern flavors made easy at home
  • Rich, creamy comfort dish that's naturally gluten-free
02 -
  • Stone-ground grits add superior flavor and creaminess compared to instant grits
  • This dish is naturally gluten-free, but always check broth and cheese labels if serving someone who is highly sensitive
03 -
  • For a fast version, use quick-cooking grits but reduce the liquid by roughly one cup
  • Add a dash of hot sauce or crumbled bacon on top for extra flair
Return