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If you’re craving a dish that wraps you in comfort while bursting with flavor, you need to try this Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe. Imagine tender, cheesy grits enriched with cream cheese and butter, topped with juicy sautéed shrimp, crisp bacon, and bright green onions—all brought together with a zesty lemon and hot sauce pan sauce. It’s a southern classic that feels like a warm hug on a plate, perfect for any time you want something satisfying yet special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe lies in its simple and thoughtful ingredients. Each one plays a key role in delivering rich texture, savory depth, and just the right hint of tangy brightness, making the dish feel both approachable and luxurious.
- 4 cups water: The base for cooking your grits to silky perfection.
- 1 cup old fashioned grits: Gives that hearty, creamy texture that’s essential for this recipe.
- 1 teaspoon salt: A basic seasoning that enhances all the natural flavors.
- 2 ounces cream cheese: Adds luscious creaminess and a hint of tang.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Enriches the grits and provides a smooth mouthfeel.
- 4 slices bacon (chopped): Brings smoky crunch that contrasts perfectly with the shrimp.
- 5 green onions (thinly sliced): Adds freshness and color to brighten the dish.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Infuses savory aromatics that elevate the sauce and shrimp.
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star protein, tender and flavorful.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: To season the shrimp perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds gentle heat and complexity to the shrimp.
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Creates the base for a rich, thickened sauce.
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth: Builds depth in the sauce with savory undertones.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Brings a refreshing, zesty brightness to the sauce.
- Hot sauce: Adds a kick that ties all the flavors together deliciously.
How to Make Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe
Step 1: Make the Grits
First, bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a large pot, then add the salt. Slowly whisk in the grits to avoid lumps, then reduce the heat to low and cover loosely. Let them simmer gently for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently, until the grits become soft and creamy. The low and slow cooking method is key here—this is where the grits develop their comforting texture.
Step 2: Add Cream Cheese and Butter
Once the grits are perfectly tender, drop in the cream cheese and butter in chunks. Stir them in until everything melts together, creating that signature creamy richness. This step transforms your grits from ordinary to irresistibly silky and indulgent.
Step 3: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until it becomes crisp and fragrant. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate while reserving about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease in the pan. This rendered fat will flavor the shrimp and sauce beautifully.
Step 4: Sauté the Green Onions and Garlic
Add the thinly sliced green onions to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes to soften and release their aroma. Follow with the minced garlic, cooking just about a minute until fragrant—watch closely, because garlic can burn quickly. These aromatics build the savory foundation for the shrimp and sauce.
Step 5: Cook the Shrimp
Season the peeled, deveined shrimp with kosher salt and black pepper. Add them to the hot skillet, tossing to coat in the flavorful bacon fat and aromatics. Cook for about 3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and are just cooked through. Then, remove the shrimp to the plate alongside the bacon. Reserve the pan juices; they’re packed with flavor!
Step 6: Make the Sauce
Whisk the flour into the chicken or seafood broth to make a smooth slurry, then pour it into the skillet. Stir well, scraping the bottom to incorporate every flavorful bit stuck to the pan. Reduce the heat to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken, then stir in the fresh lemon juice and a few dashes of hot sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
Step 7: Combine and Serve
Add the cooked shrimp back into the skillet with the sauce and stir gently to combine and reheat the shrimp without overcooking them. Finally, serve the shrimp and sauce spooned generously over the creamy grits, topped with the crisp bacon pieces and any remaining sliced green onions you saved for garnish.
How to Serve Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your dish visually and add a burst of fresh flavor, garnish with extra sliced green onions and a sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. For a bit of extra color and a mild bite, a small handful of chopped fresh parsley or a dusting of smoked paprika also complements the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This dish is quite hearty on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, consider serving it alongside a crisp, tangy salad with a vinaigrette or some roasted seasonal vegetables. Lightly sautéed greens like spinach or kale can provide a fresh counterbalance to the creamy richness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve the creamy grits in shallow bowls with the shrimp and bacon spooned artfully on top. Drizzle a little extra hot sauce or a lemon wedge on the side for guests to customize heat and brightness. You could even layer the shrimp and sauce over grits in small ramekins for an elegant appetizer version!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Keep the grits and shrimp separate if possible to maintain the best texture. The shrimp and sauce can be refrigerated in one container, and the grits in another.
Freezing
While you can freeze the shrimp and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to one month, freezing the grits isn’t recommended as their texture changes. For best results, freeze only the shrimp mixture and prepare fresh grits when ready to eat.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the shrimp and sauce gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Reheat the grits separately in a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of water or broth added to loosen them up, stirring until creamy.
FAQs
Can I use quick-cooking grits instead of old fashioned?
Quick-cooking grits can be used in a pinch, but they have a different texture and cook much faster, so keep a close eye on them to avoid overcooking. Old fashioned grits give you that perfect creamy, slightly chewy bite that’s ideal for this recipe.
What type of broth should I use?
Chicken broth is a reliable choice, but seafood broth will enhance the shrimp flavor even more. If you only have vegetable broth, that works too, though it won’t be quite as rich.
Can I make this dish dairy-free?
To make this Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe dairy-free, substitute the cream cheese and butter with vegan cream cheese and a dairy-free butter alternative. Use water or broth with a splash of coconut milk for creamy grits texture, though the flavor will shift slightly.
How spicy is the dish?
The hot sauce added to the pan sauce brings a gentle heat that you can adjust to your preference. Start with just a couple of dashes and add more if you like things spicy.
Can I prepare parts of this recipe in advance?
Yes! You can cook the grits ahead and reheat them gently. The bacon can also be cooked earlier and stored separately. Cook the shrimp and sauce fresh whenever possible for the best texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe truly feels like a soul-satisfying celebration on a plate. It’s the kind of dish you’ll want to make again and again, whether for a weekend brunch with friends or a cozy night in. Give it a try—you’ll find it hard to resist going back for seconds!
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Print
Creamy Shrimp and Bacon Grits Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
A classic Southern comfort dish featuring creamy, cheesy grits topped with flavorful sautéed shrimp in a tangy, spicy sauce, garnished with crispy bacon and fresh green onions. Perfect for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
Ingredients
Grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup old fashioned grits
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Shrimp and Sauce
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Grits: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of old fashioned grits to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low and cover loosely. Simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes until the grits reach your desired tenderness and consistency.
- Add Cream Cheese and Butter: Cut 2 ounces cream cheese and 2 tablespoons unsalted butter into chunks and stir them into the hot grits until fully melted and combined for a rich, creamy texture.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 slices of chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate. Leave about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet and discard any excess.
- Sauté the Aromatics: Increase heat to medium-high and add 5 thinly sliced green onions to the skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Shrimp: Season 1 pound of peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add shrimp to the skillet with the aromatics. Add extra bacon grease if needed. Cook shrimp for about 3 minutes until pink and almost cooked through. Remove shrimp to the plate with bacon.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour into 1 cup chicken or seafood broth until smooth. Pour this mixture into the skillet and whisk, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens.
- Finish the Sauce: Stir in the juice of 1 lemon and a few generous dashes of hot sauce into the thickened sauce. Return shrimp to the skillet and stir to coat. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the hot creamy grits onto plates. Top generously with the shrimp and sauce. Garnish with the crispy bacon pieces and additional sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Old fashioned grits provide the best texture; quick or instant grits will alter cooking time and creaminess.
- Use seafood broth for a more intense shrimp flavor or chicken broth as a substitute.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity based on your preferred spice level.
- For a dairy-free version, omit cream cheese and butter or substitute with vegan alternatives.
- Cook shrimp just until pink to avoid toughness.
