Description
Creamy stone-ground grits topped with Cajun-seasoned shrimp in a smoky turkey bacon cream sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 tbsp butter
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 lb medium shrimp (peeled and deveined)
- 6 slices smoked turkey bacon (chopped)
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 1 small green bell pepper (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 green onions (sliced)
- Fresh parsley (chopped)
Instructions
- Step: Bring 4 cups of salted water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Slowly whisk in the grits in a steady stream. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes until thick and tender.
- Step: Remove grits from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of butter and the shredded cheddar until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
- Step: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped smoked turkey bacon until crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pan.
- Step: Season shrimp with Cajun seasoning and smoked paprika. Add to the skillet and cook 2 minutes per side until pink and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Step: Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter to the skillet. Saute onion, bell pepper, and garlic over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes until softened.
- Step: Pour in the heavy cream and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step: Return the smoked turkey bacon and shrimp to the skillet and stir to combine. Heat through for 1 minute.
- Step: Spoon grits into bowls and top with the smothered shrimp and sauce. Garnish with green onions and fresh parsley. Serve immediately.
Notes
Don’t drain the turkey bacon drippings between steps. They’re essential for the sauce flavor. Pat the shrimp dry before seasoning so they sear properly. If your Cajun seasoning is very salty, taste before adding more to the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 720 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 1200 mg
- Fat: 45 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: smothered shrimp and grits, Southern dinner, Cajun shrimp, creamy grits, comfort food