Easy Southern Style Comfort Food

Shrimp and grits satisfy this seafood-loving southern girl’s appetite more than almost anything else. It basically has all the flavors that make my taste buds sing. And I love the fact that not only is it easy to make, there are so many different ways to make it! I’ve tried several different recipes, and this one is my favorite!

This recipe is quick and easy, with basic ingredients that you can find in most grocery stores. All you need for the most basic version are prepared grits, shrimp, garlic powder, and a few other seasonings. Bacon is optional, but it adds lots of texture and flavor.

If you’ve never tried grits, it’s time to change that. Learn about what grits are and one of the easiest ways to prepare them. Once you’re comfortable with that, try shrimp and grits or this super easy cheesy grits casserole.

It’s a quick dinner that is delicious and filling. And it’s one of my favorite main dishes! Here are 20 easy side dishes that you can serve along with it!

Ingredients for Shrimp and Grits

Obviously, you put shrimp and grits in this dish. But what else? Basically, anything else you want. I’m old school when it comes to eating grits.

Grits ingredients:

• Grits
• Butter
• Salt
• Pepper

Optional ingredients for grits:

• Garlic powder
• Onion powder
• Ground cayenne

Shrimp to go on the grits:

• Old Bay seasoning
• Sriracha sauce or Tabasco
• Crumbled bacon
• Chopped parsley, either fresh or dried (optional)

This meal is just as easy to prepare for a crowd as it is for two people. All you have to do is multiply the recipe by however many people you have. In other words, if you’re cooking for eight, multiply the ingredients of this recipe by four.

Easy Step-by-Step Directions

If you’re in the mood for shrimp and grits, nothing else will make you happy. Fortunately, the whole thing (from start to finish) only takes a few minutes. So you don’t have to wait long before dinner is served.

Prepare the grits according to the package. It’s super easy. Just add water and butter to boiling water. Pour in the dry grits, and they’ll magically transform into that comforting mush we southern folks love.

Next, sauté the shrimp in a nonstick skillet that has a splash of olive oil, butter, or cooking spray. I add the Old Bay seasoning to the shrimp. I’ve also used an iron skillet to cook the shrimp. If the skillet is well seasoned, it’s just as good as nonstick.

Remember that shrimp cooks quickly, so don’t leave it on the heat too long. Otherwise, you’ll wind up with rubbery shrimp. For medium sized shrimp, it only takes about three minutes until they’re done.

Spoon the grits into individual bowls.

After that, scoop seven medium (or five large) shrimp on top of the grits. Sprinkle some parsley over the top, and then add the crumbled bacon. Yum!

But wait. That’s not all. Next comes the sriracha sauce that takes the flavor to a whole new level. If you don’t have sriracha, you can use Tabasco, which is almost as good.

Congratulations! You have just made one of the most popular dishes in the country … or at least in the South. And it probably took you less than half an hour. Without much effort on your part, your family and friends will think you’re a genius in the kitchen.

Variations for Additional Flavor and Convenience

With so many different ways to prepare this delectable dish, you shouldn’t have trouble finding one you like. Cheese lovers will probably enjoy adding some cheddar to the grits, while purists only want salt and pepper.

You can use whatever shrimp you have. I like to use the freshest plump shrimp I can find. However, that’s not always possible, so I’ll pick up frozen shrimp. The shrimp can be cooked any number of ways. I’ve had them in a gumbo-like gravy, fried, broiled, and so many other ways.

No matter how you cook them, I like them. However, as stretched for time as I typically am, I’ve found a way to throw this dish on the table in less than a half hour.

Here are some of the different ingredients I’ve seen with shrimp and grits:

• Bell pepper
• Worcestershire sauce
• Green onions
• Different types of hot sauce
• Black pepper
• Andouille sausage
• Cayenne pepper
• Creole sauce
• Red pepper

Please feel free to share!