Southern Model Shrimp and Grits

This iconic Southern dish was historically served as a morning meal. We find it irresistible a lot, we’d have it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. These heat, creamy grits are loaded with butter and cheddar cheese, topped with sautéed shrimp and crispy bacon. Add a splash (or extra) of scorching sauce and a squeeze of contemporary lemon and also you’ve acquired a bowl of Southern consolation prepared in simply 45 minutes.

For extra Southern consolation meals, attempt our Chicken and Dumplings or our Southern Style Red Beans and Rice.

Shrimp and grits is an iconic, Southern breakfast meals. Image New Orleans and Charleston, the place this humble dish is an integral a part of their on a regular basis house life. This Southern staple is straightforward to organize, hearty and filling, whereas delivering large taste. Buttery, tacky grits mixed with savory bacon and garlic shrimp makes our mouths water! High all of it off with just a little scorching sauce and also you’ve acquired a scrumptious meal that’s certain to change into a household favourite.

Ingredient Notes

• White Grits: White grits are extra versatile and tackle the flavors of the dish, whereas yellow grits have a extra assertive corn taste.
• Rooster Broth: Utilizing a low-sodium possibility lets you greatest management the flavour. It’s an amazing chef tip.
• Butter: We use salted butter so as to add simply the correct amount of salt to boost the flavors of the grits.
• Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese:  Freshly shredded melts higher than pre-shredded cheese, which accommodates components to stop clumping.
• Shrimp (peeled and deveined): Use massive, uncooked shrimp for the most effective texture. Frozen shrimp can be utilized if thawed correctly. You ca depart tails on or take away them earlier than cooking..
• Garlic: Freshly minced garlic offers the most effective taste, however jarred minced garlic works too.
• Bacon: Use customary bacon or thick-cut. You’ll wish to use precise bacon, slightly than pre-cooked, as a result of you can be cooking the shrimp within the leftover bacon fats.
• Lemon Juice: Bottled lemon juice works properly and retains prep to a minimal, however freshly squeezed at all times has the most effective taste.
• Sizzling Sauce: High off together with your favourite scorching sauce.

Shrimp Choices

You’ve just a few choices to select from in terms of shrimp, actually it’s various. There are totally different sizes, frozen or contemporary, veined or deveined, peeled or entire, and all of them work!

For comfort, we favor to prepare dinner with already peeled and deveined shrimp. In the event you use frozen, remember to thaw them earlier than utilizing.

On the spot vs. White Grits

On the spot grits could prepare dinner up sooner, nevertheless, they lack the higher taste of white grits. It’s value it to take the time to prepare dinner up the actual factor which can consequence within the creamiest, most flavorful, completely restaurant-quality grits you can also make at house.

Avoiding Lumpy Grits

In the event you’re having points with clumping, don’t fear, you aren’t alone. It’s a typical downside that may be simply mounted. The most typical reason for clumping isn’t stirring the grits instantly after including them to the liquid. This could trigger the grits to stay collectively and type lumps.

To forestall lumps, ensure to stir the grits constantly for the primary couple of minutes after including them to the liquid. Stir, stir, stir!

Add grits just a little at a time whereas stirring to make sure that the grits are evenly dispersed within the liquid. You possibly can simply gently sprinkle them excessive of the boiling liquid.

In case your grits are already lumpy, seize a whisk! Strive whisking vigorously. In the event you can’t whisk them out, add a splash of scorching water and maintain whisking till the clumps dissolve. For additional cussed clumps, you possibly can even use an immersion blender briefly to clean them out. Simply don’t overmix.

Alter the Warmth

For much less warmth: In the event you don’t tolerate spice properly, be happy to depart out the new sauce completely. If you need just a little spice however not a variety of warmth, add a pinch of paprika and chili powder as a substitute.

For extra warmth: Be happy to only add extra scorching sauce. Or, add 1/4–1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper when cooking the shrimp for much more warmth. You may additionally prime with contemporary jalapeño slices or a sprinkle of pink pepper flakes.