Shrimp and Grits

5 from 6 votes
5 Comments

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Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern dish BURSTING with flavor. Tender shrimp, spicy sauce, and cheesy, creamy grits will have you feeling like you’re at Mardi Gras!

Shrimp and Grits in a bowl

Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern comfort food meal that our whole family loves. I first tried it when visiting Disneyland at Cafe Orleans and couldn’t wait to recreate at home. Grits is traditionally a breakfast meal, but a lot of people enjoy it for lunch or dinner. I start by preparing our cheesy grits recipe. Then, I add a savory, spicy tomato sauce. Finally, I top the dish off with buttery, tender shrimp, Andouille sausage, and corn. This recipe is inspired by the Shrimp and Grits entrée on the menu in Cafe Orleans in Disneyland – you have to try it next time you go!

2 bowls of Shrimp and Grits


Ingredients

If there is anything I have learned from all my adventures in the kitchen, it is that an amazing meal starts with amazing ingredients. For this recipe, try to purchase the freshest shrimp available. I got mine from Costco. If you are lucky enough to live near the ocean, you know how much better fresh seafood tastes. The other ingredient that makes a huge difference is the tomatoes for the sauce. San Marzano tomatoes are grown in Italy and they taste SO MUCH BETTER than any other canned tomato.

Grits:

  • Quick cooking grits
  • Water
  • Milk
  • Butter
  • Salt and pepper
  • Cheese

Sauce:

  • Butter
  • Minced garlic
  • San Marzano tomatoes
  • Creole seasoning (may substitute cajun seasoning)
  • Paprika

Seasoned Shrimp and Sausage:

  • Butter
  • Minced garlic
  • Paprika
  • Chili powder
  • Andouille smoked sausage – cut into 1 inch slices
  • Uncooked large shrimp
  • Frozen corn (yellow corn or white corn will work)
Ingredients to make Shrimp and Grits including cheesy grits, corn, shrimp, tomatoes, sausage, seasoning, garlic and butter.

How to Make Shrimp and Grits

While the shrimp is definitely a star player in this recipe, you are also going to love the creamy, cheesy grits. Combine the two, and you’ve got a delicious dinner everyone will love! For more information on how to make grits, see our post How to Make Grits.

Cook the grits

Allow 30 minutes for this step. Bring the water, milk, butter, and salt to a boil in a large pot. Then, slowly pour the grits into the pot while whisking. Cover and cook the grits for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 4 or 5 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pot. When the grits are creamy, remove from heat and stir in cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Prepare the sauce

Melt the butter in a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until it turns a golden brown. Add the canned tomatoes, creole, and paprika. Stir and mash the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Tip: Leave the wooden spoon in the pan so it props the lid up a little. This prevents the sauce from splattering while still allowing the sauce to thicken.

Saute the shrimp and sausage

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a separate large fry pan or skillet. Add garlic, paprika, chili powder, sliced sausage, shrimp and corn. Cook over medium heat until shrimp is pink and cooked through.

Combine and serve

Spoon a cup of grits into 4 bowls, making a shallow well in the middle of the grits. Divide the sauce and pour it into the middle of the grits in each bowl. Top each bowl with shrimp and sausage. For garnish, sprinkle on some chopped parsley or green onions.

Close up of Shrimp and Grits on a fork

What Goes with Shrimp and Grits?

Shrimp and Grits make a meal on their own, but sometimes I like to serve a big salad with it. Any vegetable side dish will work great. In keeping with New Orleans flare try some mint juleps for the drink or beignets for dessert. Here are a few more ideas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Shrimp and Grits

Why are Shrimp and Grits popular in the South?

Shrimp and Grits is often attributed to sailors off the North Carolina shores. Sailors would often eat grits for breakfast. However, during peak shrimp season, they would add buttered shrimp to their grits.

Does this taste like the Shrimp and Grits at Cafe Orleans in Disneyland?

Yes! The only difference is that the dish at Cafe Orleans has fava beans and those aren’t always easy to find at the store.

Shrimp and grits in a bowl with a napkin and fork on the side

Read More: 35+ Quick and Easy To Follow Dinner Ideas Your Family Will Surely Love

More Cajun Recipes You’ll Love

One of my favorite places to visit in the U.S. is New Orleans. I can’t get enough of the history, the architecture, and especially the food! These are recipes I’ve brought back from my visits there and have recreated at home:

New Orleans Beignets
Creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cajun Butter Shrimp
Shrimp Po’Boy Sandwich
Pecan Pralines
Instant Pot Gumbo

2 bowls of Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and Grits

5 from 6 votes
Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern dish BURSTING with flavor. You'll love the tender shrimp, spicy sauce, and cheesy, creamy grits.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Cajun/Creole, Seafood
Servings 4

Video

Equipment

  • Sauce pan
  • Fry Pan/Skillet

Ingredients

Grits

Sauce

  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 14 ounces peeled whole San Marzano tomatoes
  • 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika

Seasoned Shrimp and Sausage

Instructions

Prepare the Grits (allow 30 minutes for this step):

  • In a large pot, combine water, milk, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat while stirring frequently.
    Saucepan with boiling milk mixture and wooden spoon.
  • Slowly pour in the grits while stirring constantly with a whisk. Turn heat to low and continue to whisk for one minute.
    Pouring Grits into boiling saucepan.
  • Cover the pan with a lid. Stir well every 4 to 5 minutes. Be sure to scrape along the sides and bottom of the pot to prevent grits from sticking or burning.
    Whisking grits in boiling saucepan.
  • The grits are done when they reach a thick and creamy consistency. It should take 25-30 minutes. Stir in the cheese when grits are cooked.
    Wooden spoon holding up cooked grits in a saucepan.

For the Sauce:

  • In a large skillet over medium heat, cook butter and garlic together until garlic begins to turn golden.
    Butter and Garlic in a sauce pan
  • Add the canned tomatoes, creole, and paprika. Stir and mash up the tomatoes with a wooden sppon.
    Cajun tomato sauce in a pan
  • Turn stove to low to simmer. Cover the pan with the wooden spoon still in the pan to slightly hold up the lid. This prevents splattering and still allows the sauce to thicken. Simmer for 10 minutes stirring occasionally.
    Covered tomato sauce in a sauce pan

For the Shrimp and Sausage:

  • Melt butter in a separate large sauce pan. Add garlic, paprika, chili powder, sliced sausage, shrimp, and corn. Cook together over medium heat until shrimp is pink and cooked through.
    Skillet with shrimp, corn and sausage. Wooden spoon on the side.

To Serve:

  • Spoon a cup of grits into 4 bowls, making a shallow well in the middle of the grits. Divide the sauce between the 4 bowls.
    Grits with cajun tomato sauce on top
  • Top each bowl with shrimp and sausage. Optional: sprinkle on a little chopped parsley or green onions.
    Shrimp and Grits in a bowl

Notes

  • Want to marinate the shrimp before cooking? Try our grilled shrimp marinade.
  • Keep leftovers of this delicious meal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, make this wonderfully fiber and protein packed meal last for more than just one dinner! Keep the sausage and shrimp mixture separate from the grits. 
  • Popular additions include: green onion, bacon, and hot sauce. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 712kcalCarbohydrates: 46gProtein: 35gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 222mgSodium: 1898mgPotassium: 562mgFiber: 4gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 1489IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 226mgIron: 18mg

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About the author

Emily Walker

Emily lives in Meridian, Idaho, with her husband, Beau, a physician assistant, and her three incredible children: a son and two daughters. Travel is one of her favorite ways to experience new cultures and cuisines, and she has a love for all things Disney.

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Comments

  1. 5 stars
    What a Flavorful Filling dish!!
    I loved the touch with the Sausage & Corn…
    Definitely will prepare Shrimp & Grits like this for now on…
    TFS

    1. 5 stars
      Savored this Scrumptious Shrimp & Grits tonight, after deciding what to do with shrimp I had seasoned two nights ago..
      This tyme, I added chopped scallions, red onions, and a dash of green Scotch bonnet hot pepper sauce, for a hint of heat!!!

      Appreciating a bowl of goodness, while binging on Station 19 🔥

  2. 5 stars
    So happy I came across this recipe! I was looking for something just like it! My family loved it and gobbled it up.

  3. 5 stars
    This made for such a filling and delicious dinner recipe, I loved the seasoning on the shrimp, they were so flavorful and perfectly cooked!

  4. 5 stars
    Wow! So much FLAVOR! This is bussin! Super delicious! I love the shrimp WITH the sausage! And the spices are perfection!