Shrimp & Grits – Kathy’s Melding of Recipes**
Serves ~ 4
I don’t remember when I discovered shrimp and grits, but given that I thoroughly enjoy both primary ingredients it’s no wonder that it’s a dish I seek out when I’m in the low country (Savannah to Charleston). Earlier this spring I had a “girl’s weekend” in the low country (Beaufort) and sampled shrimp and grits at every chance. Some variations I liked better than others; this recipe reflects my favorite “traditional” ingredients and includes a non-traditional one as well.
As I am a southerner, I experiment with a sense of origin! Shrimp and grits was once a simple breakfast staple of low country fishermen during shrimp season (May-December). The dish went upscale in 1985 after Craig Claiborne discovered it at Crook’s Corner restaurant in Chapel Hill. You may not know that a Frenchman established a colony in the low country in 1562; some form of grits (ground corn) has been around since Native Americans greeted the first white men with “rockahominie” (hominy). Acknowledging the importance of grits to the state’s culture, South Carolina named grits an official state food in 1976.
Cheese Grits
- 2 c whole milk
- 2 c chicken broth
- 1 t salt
- 1 t fresh ground black pepper
- 1 c stone-ground grits (not quick/instant grits – I buy Palmetto)
- 1/4 c heavy cream
- 2 c shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Stir the grits into a bowl of cold water and allow to settle. Corn hulls may float to the surface; if so, skim off the hulls. Drain the grits.
Put chicken broth in a medium saucepan; bring to a low boil. Add salt and pepper, then pour in grits slowly, whisking/stirring continuously (to prevent lumps and sticking/scorching); add milk and bring back to a low boil. [Adding the milk at this stage minimizes the risk of the milk scorching or overflowing.]
Once the grits thicken (about 5-10 minutes), reduce heat to a simmer, cover, and cook until liquid is absorbed (about 20 minutes); be sure to stir/whisk about every 5 minutes. Add stock or water if the grits get too thick too soon.
Remove from heat; stir a dash of heavy cream. Taste, then add more butter, heavy cream, or salt/pepper if desired. Stir in cheese to taste. Cover and set aside.
Note: this grits recipe is also wonderful as a breakfast accompaniment (to eggs and bacon, of course) and works well as a leftover (unlike “plain” grits).
Shrimp & Gravy
- Oil for sauteeing veggies
- 1 medium sweet onion, diced (I use Vidalia or similar sweet onion)
- 1 chopped red pepper
- 1 chopped green pepper
- 1 large clove garlic, minced
- 2 cans (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- Roux* or cornstarch
- 1.25 pound of shrimp—peeled, de-veined (tails on or off – traditional is on, size 20-30); do not buy prawns!
- 3 T butter and 3T oil (olive or avocado oil – traditional is bacon fat)
- 1 T cajun seasoning (I use Tony Chachere’s)
- 1 T Old Bay Seasoning
In a heavy frying pan or Dutch oven, saute onion until clear, bell pepper until tender. Add garlic, cook. Add diced tomatoes; cook 5 minutes. Add roux or corn starch slurry to thicken if desired; simmer ~15 minutes.
Drain the shrimp and pat dry with paper towel. Toss shrimp and seasoning in a bowl.
In a different cast iron frying pan, melt oil and butter over medium-high heat. When the butter starts to bubble, add the shrimp and stir-fry until they are about half-cooked (~2 minutes). [Do not cook the shrimp until the grits are ready and resting!]
Add the partially-cooked shrimp to gravy mixture; cook another 2-4 minutes.
Variations
- Toss the spices on the partially cooked shrimp before adding to the gravy.
- Fry a half pound of thick bacon; drain most of the fat but leave the crunchy bits. Use this as the base (and pan) to stir fry the shrimp. Chop (I use kitchen scissors) the bacon into medium-sized pieces and add some to the mixture, reserve some for topping.
Optional toppings:
- Thinly sliced scallions
- Grated cheddar cheese
- Chopped bacon
To Serve
Spoon grits into warmed serving bowls. Add shrimp mixture and desired toppings. Eat immediately!
* How to make Roux
Roux is a mixture of flour and fat; the longer you cook it, the darker the roux. A blond roux will only take four or five minutes; a dark roux up to 20 or 25 minutes at high heat; you must stir constantly to avoid burning. If you see black specks in your roux, toss it and start over. Refrigerated roux will keep for up to two months and can be added directly to soups or sauces for quick thickening.
For this recipe:
- 1/4 c butter
- 1/2 c flour
Melt the butter over medium heat; slowly add the flour to the butter, whisking constantly. After about 20 minutes of continuous cooking and stirring, the roux will be tan, very smooth, and thinner than it was at the white stage. Brown roux will reach a peanut butter-brown color after approximately 35 minutes of cooking and stirring. I used a tan roux for this recipe; add to the vegetable gravy and stir; wait. You may not need all of this. (I didn’t.)
See gumbopages.com & allrecipes.com
** There are tons of shrimp and grits recipes. This one borrows from Paula Dean and Pat Conroy as well as http://www.ezrapoundcake.com/archives/4656. If you try this and like it, consider Nathalie Dupree’s Shrimp and Grits cookbook (Amazon).
Updated: 09 May 2026