Cajun Shrimp and Grits with Garlic Butter
Cajun Shrimp and Grits with Garlic Butter features spicy, flavorful shrimp served over creamy cheddar grits, topped with a rich garlic butter sauce. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or dinner!
Ingredients
For the Cajun Shrimp
- 1 lb large shrimp peeled and deveined
- 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning store-bought or homemade
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper optional, for extra heat
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
For the Grits
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Garlic Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
Cook the Grits
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water and milk to a boil.
- Stir in the grits and reduce the heat to low.
- Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes, or until the grits are thick and creamy.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar cheese, butter, salt, and black pepper.
- Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.
Season the Shrimp
- In a large bowl, toss the shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper (if using).
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.
- Stir in the minced garlic and fresh lemon juice and cook for another 1-2 minutes, until fragrant.
- Remove from heat and set aside.
Make the Garlic Butter Sauce
- In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant but not browned.
- Stir in the lemon juice and remove from heat.
Assemble the Dish
- Divide the cheesy grits among bowls.
- Top each serving with a generous portion of Cajun shrimp.
- Drizzle the garlic butter sauce over the shrimp and garnish with fresh parsley.
Serve and Enjoy
- Serve the Cajun Shrimp and Grits with Garlic Butter immediately, with extra lemon wedges on the side if desired.
Notes
And there you have it! Your Cajun Shrimp and Grits with Garlic Butter is ready.
This dish is the perfect combination of spicy shrimp, creamy grits, and garlicky richness. It’s a crowd-pleaser for breakfast, brunch, or dinner, and will leave you feeling satisfied and comforted.
A few tips from my kitchen to yours:
- For extra creaminess, stir in a splash of heavy cream or more cheese into the grits.
- You can adjust the heat level by adding more or less cayenne pepper to the shrimp seasoning.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.
- Calories: 540
- Protein: 31g
- Fat: 36g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 4g