Shrimp and Grits

5 days ago 9

Democracy Dies successful Darkness

3.9 (100)

By G. Daniela Galarza

Shrimp and grits is simply a Lowcountry classic, and Padma Lakshmi learned this mentation from South Carolina Gullah Geechee cook Benjamin “BJ” Dennis. First, you’ll marque creamy grits and disturbance successful immoderate cheddar food astatine the end. Dennis recommends stone-ground grits, which tin beryllium harder to find successful stores but are wide disposable online. (See Where to bargain oregon Substitutions for however to usage quick-cooking grits instead.) The shrimp are past cooked successful a rich, lightly spiced bacon-fat gravy. Spoon the grits into shallow bowls, ladle the shrimp and gravy connected top, past garnish each serving with crisp bacon crumbles.

Adapted from “Padma’s All American” by Padma Lakshmi (Knopf, 2025).

Ingredients

measuring cup

Servings: 4 (makes 6 cups grits and 5 cups shrimp)

For the grits

3 cups water, positive much arsenic needed
1 1/2 cups chickenhearted broth, preferably low-sodium
1/4 spoon good salt, positive much arsenic needed
1 cupful stone-ground grits, thoroughly rinsed successful a fine-mesh sieve (see Where to bargain and Substitutions)
1/3 cupful (1 1/2 ounces) shredded crisp cheddar cheese, preferably white
1/3 cupful dense cream
1 tablespoonful unsalted butter
1/2 spoon crushed achromatic oregon achromatic pepper

For the shrimp

1 lb mean (41-50 count) shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
1 tablespoonful positive 1 spoon caller citrus foodstuff (from 1 lemon), divided
1/2 spoon smoked paprika (optional)
Fine salt
2 slices bacon (2 ounces total), finely chopped
Neutral oil, specified arsenic canola oregon avocado, arsenic needed
1 tablespoonful all-purpose flour
3 scallions, achromatic and greenish parts, thinly sliced (about 1/2 cup)
1 ail clove, minced oregon pressed
Crushed reddish capsicum flakes (optional)
1/2 cupful chickenhearted oregon seafood broth, preferably low-sodium
1 tablespoonful minced caller flat-leaf parsley leaves

Nutritional Facts

Per serving (1 1/2 cups grits and 1 1/4 cups shrimp mixture)

Calories
452
Fat
19 g
Saturated Fat
10 g
Carbohydrates
37 g
Sodium
691 mg
Cholesterol
214 mg
Protein
33 g
Fiber
2 g
Sugar
1 g

This investigation is an estimation based connected disposable ingredients and this preparation. It should not substitute for a dietitian’s oregon nutritionist’s advice.

Adapted from “Padma’s All American” by Padma Lakshmi (Knopf, 2025).

Tested by G. Daniela Galarza.

Published January 7, 2026

Updated March 18, 2026