Shrimp and Grits

Today I’m sharing one of my very favorite comfort food seafood recipes:  Shrimp and Grits.

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Because seriously… after Thanksgiving the LAST thing I want right now is turkey or ham!  I am DONE with my leftovers and was craving comforting seafood.  🙂

This is one of the very first recipes I posted on the blog, and I wanted to bring it back to life with a few minor changes and new photographs.

My original photo January 2012 😮

We all have to start somewhere, right?!  🙂

How can you go wrong with shrimp, BACON and mushrooms over a bed of seasoned cheesy grits?!  If you’re not a fan of mushrooms, simply omit them.

Enjoy!  🙂

Originally published January 20, 2012 and updated November 29, 2017.

Shrimp and Grits

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• Author: Amy @ The Blond Cook
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings

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Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon, chopped
• 5 cups water
• 1 cup grits (NOT instant or quick cook)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3/4 cup shredded extra sharp white cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 (8-ounce) package fresh sliced mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning (more or less, to taste)
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (more or less, to taste)
• 1 pound medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon freshly minced garlic
• 2 green onions, sliced

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Instructions

1. Begin boiling water in a large saucepan over medium high heat.
2. While water is coming to a boil, fry bacon over medium heat in a large skillet until crispy.  Place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain.  Drain off fat from skillet, leaving about 2 tablespoons.  Set skillet aside.
3. Once water comes to a boil, slowly add grits, salt and cayenne pepper.  Stir to combine.
4. Reduce heat to maintain a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
5. Season shrimp with Old Bay Seasoning and black pepper.
6. While grits are cooking, heat the 2 tablespoons of bacon grease over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes, stirring frequently.  Add shrimp and cook an additional 3 minutes (or until shrimp have just turned pink), stirring frequently.  Add garlic and cook until fragrant while stirring (about 30 seconds).  Remove from heat.
7. Once grits are thickened, add shredded cheese and stir until smooth and cheese has melted.
8. Spoon shrimp mixture over grits and top with bacon and green onions.

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