A classic Southern dish you can make at home in minutes, Cheesy Shrimp and Grits is a creamy, comforting bowl of happy. Cheesy grits are topped with a healthy helping of tender shrimp swimming in a slightly spicy cream sauce that will keep you digging in for more.

Watch the video showing you how to make Cheesy Shrimp and Grits, then scroll to the bottom of this post and print out the recipe so you can make it at home!

overhead shot of shrimp and grits in a white bowl on a patterned napkin with a fork and two other partial views of shrimp and grits bowls

I spent years visiting Hilton Head, SC visiting my mother in law.  It was kind of a luxury having a relative that lived smack dab in the middle of  “low country.”  When I was a teenager, I had the chance to spend two weeks right outside Charleston and that’s when my love affair with the south began.  So, it had been almost 15 years before I was able to get down there again….but after that I was a frequent visitor biking along the coast while the Spanish moss blew in the breeze around me.

It’s a magical place with equally magical food, if you ever have the chance to visit…you must go.  One of my favorite things to eat every time I visited was Shrimp and Grits.  And everywhere you order it…it’s just a little bit different.

overhead shot of shrimp and grits in three white bowls with glasses and patterned napkin

Everyone has their own take on Shrimp and Grits.  Even me, I love my grits to be extra creamy and loaded with cheese….hence, Cheesy Shrimp and Grits. A lot of places skip the cheese and you can too, but try it with the cheese and I promise you you’ll love it.

The sauce is slightly creamy but not overly thick. It’s the perfect blanket for your shrimp, not too heavy….not too light.  Just right.  And I used yellow cornmeal grits….you can use white if you prefer but I love the vibrant yellow color it adds to the dish.  It’s like a bowl full of southern sunshine…but with shrimp and bacon and other goodness just ready for you to dig into. Drooling yet?

close up view of shrimp and grits in a bowl with a fork

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits couldn’t be easier to make.  I like to make the grits first so they’re perfect and smooth.  They take a few minutes of your attention at the beginning but the result is a velvety smooth bowl of heaven.

The shrimp and gravy comes together in about 15 minutes making this an easy weeknight dinner that will transport your tastebuds on a mini vacation.

shrimp and grits in three white bowls on a table setting with patterned napkin and a bottle of hot sauce

I can guarantee you’ll want to add this recipe to your weekly meal rotation.

shrimp and grits in a white bowl garnished with a lemon slice and served with wine

Here are a few more shrimp recipes you might enjoy:

overhead shot of shrimp and grits in a white bowl on a patterned napkin with a fork and two other partial views of shrimp and grits bowls
4.74 from 100 votes

Cheesy Shrimp and Grits

The best Shrimp and Grits recipe- super creamy and cheesy!
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
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Ingredients

GRITS:

SHRIMP & SAUCE:

Instructions 

PREPARE THE GRITS:

  • In a large pot over medium heat, add the milk, water and salt. Bring to a simmer.  Whisk in the grits and continue whisking until they begin to thicken. (This will help eliminate lumps.)  Continue to cook the grits for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.  Stir in the butter and cheese. Cover and set aside.

PREPARE THE SHRIMP & SAUCE:

  • In a large skillet, cook the bacon over medium-high heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel lined platter using a slotted spoon to drain.
  • Return the skillet to the heat and add the shrimp to the pan. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.  Transfer the shrimp to a platter and keep warm.
  • Add the onions to the skillet and cook until softened.  Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Sprinkle the cornstarch over the onions/garlic and cook for an additional minute.  Whisk in the chicken stock and cook until the sauce begins to thicken.  Whisk in the cream, butter, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, salt and pepper. Continue cooking until the sauce starts to thicken more.  Return the shrimp to the pan and cook for 3 to 4 minutes- making sure not to overcook the shrimp.  Stir in the bacon, green onions and parsley.

SERVE:

  • Spoon about 1 cup grits onto a plate and top with 4 to 5 shrimp. Pour about 1 cup gravy over the shrimp. Repeat with remaining grits and shrimp.  Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving, Calories: 931kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 56g, Fat: 54g, Saturated Fat: 30g, Cholesterol: 586mg, Sodium: 2735mg, Potassium: 708mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 2275IU, Vitamin C: 21.2mg, Calcium: 670mg, Iron: 5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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4.74 from 100 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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149 Comments

  1. Sara says:

    No One can go wrong with shrimp and grits, but you have a couple of tweeks that move this fave dish to another level. I also love your writing style. Keep it up, you are very enjoyable to follow. Thanks

  2. Recipegirl says:

    The video isn’t the same as the recipe. Recipe says put shrimp then gravy over that. Video shows it all mixed together the over grits. And do you cook the shrimp in the bacon grease?

    1. Lori Lange says:

      Follow the instructions in the recipe 🙂

  3. India says:

    Omg! Yum! Seriously this was too easy to be so yummy!!!

  4. Mary Carrillo says:

    5 stars
    I fell in love with shrimp and grits when I visited Charleston 10 years ago and ate at Magnolias. I have dreamed about them ever since. As soon as I saw this recipe I knew I needed to try. The cheesy grits are creamy deliciousness and a tad bit spicy. I could eat these multiple times a week. The quick prep is a plus. Make these and you’re sure to impress your family and friends.

  5. Roxy Beach says:

    4 stars
    I liked this recipe. My only complaint is that it’s too salty. I will be making it again but will not use any salt.

  6. Diane says:

    5 stars
    This is my go to shrimp and grits recipe! My entire family loves it.

    1. Mary carrillo says:

      Try it with low sodium bacon

  7. Janey says:

    5 stars
    The time is way off of prep and cook time for me. It is well worth preparing it takes me a lot longer to prep and cook. I’ve made this several times and it is as good as any we have had in Charleston SC. I use my own chicken broth, Bobs Red Mills grits, freshly grated cheese, our home grown garlic.

  8. Dana says:

    5 stars
    This was a delicious dish to make. I’ve made it twice this month. Once with the bacon and once without the bacon and it tasted good both times! It depends on your taste buds and what you’d enjoy. It’s also very filling. A great dish for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

  9. Vicky says:

    5 stars
    I am making this for my book club next month so tonight was a trial run…success! So creamy, so flavorful. Adding this to my rotation!

    1. Kelly Schwindt says:

      5 stars
      Oh! Em! Gee!!
      Made this for the first time tonight…..my husband and I took our first bite at the same time and our eyes rolled back in our heads! We couldn’t even say words. Needless to say, this is going on our “all the time” menu! I also added some Smokey links and mushrooms and it was amazing! Thank you for sharing this recipe!

  10. Angela says:

    5 stars
    This is my go-to shrimp and grits recipe. Very delicious! Thanks for sharing!