In the heart of the Lowcountry, where the flavors of the sea and the land converge, lies a culinary gem that has captured the hearts of food enthusiasts worldwide: South Carolina shrimp and grits. This iconic dish is a symphony of textures and flavors, featuring succulent shrimp, creamy grits, and a savory sauce that dances on the palate. Whether you're a seasoned chef or a home cook looking to embark on a culinary adventure, this comprehensive guide will lead you through the steps of creating an unforgettable South Carolina shrimp and grits experience that will transport you to the coastal charm of the Palmetto State.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
SOUTHERN SHRIMP AND GRITS
A southern specialty, sometimes called breakfast shrimp, this dish tastes great for brunch or dinner, and anytime company's coming. It's down-home comfort food at its finest. -Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 35m
Yield 4 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a large saucepan, bring the broth, milk, butter, salt and pepper to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat. Cover and cook for 12-14 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in cheese until melted. Set aside and keep warm., In a large skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove to paper towels with a slotted spoon; drain, reserving 4 teaspoons drippings. Saute the shrimp, garlic and seasoning in drippings until shrimp turn pink. Serve with grits and sprinkle with onions.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 674 calories, Fat 42g fat (22g saturated fat), Cholesterol 241mg cholesterol, Sodium 1845mg sodium, Carbohydrate 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 41g protein.
OLD CHARLESTON STYLE SHRIMP AND GRITS
Great recipe for shrimp and grits.
Provided by berskine
Categories Side Dish Grain Side Dish Recipes Grits
Time 1h15m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 20
Steps:
- Bring water and 2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk grits into the boiling water, and then whisk in half-and-half. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until grits are thickened and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- Sprinkle shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper to taste. Add lemon juice, toss to combine, and set aside to marinate.
- Place sausage slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove sausage from the skillet.
- Add bacon to the same skillet and increase heat to medium-high. Cook until evenly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer bacon to paper towels to drain, then chop or crumble when cool enough to handle. Leave bacon drippings in the skillet.
- Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bacon drippings; cook and stir until onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.
- Stir cooked sausage and marinated shrimp into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, stirring to create a smooth roux. Turn heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is golden brown in color, 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, mixture burns easily.
- Pour the roux over the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables. Place the skillet over medium heat, add chicken broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine. Cook until sauce thickens up and shrimp turn opaque and bright pink, about 8 minutes.
- Just before serving, mix sharp Cheddar cheese into grits until melted and grits are creamy and light yellow. Serve shrimp mixture over cheese grits.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 617.7 calories, Carbohydrate 16.2 g, Cholesterol 269.8 mg, Fat 43.7 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 38.6 g, SaturatedFat 19.5 g, Sodium 1634.8 mg, Sugar 2.7 g
THE BEST SHRIMP AND GRITS
This southern staple is full of flavor and plenty saucy. We tried using bacon, but missed the spiciness and complexity of andouille sausage. For added richness, we cook the grits in milk and finish them with butter.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring the milk, 2 cups water, 2 3/4 teaspoons salt and the sugar to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Vigorously whisk in the grits until the liquid comes back to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, whisking occasionally and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan to prevent sticking, until the grits are tender and thick, 35 to 45 minutes. Whisk in the butter until melted. Cover and set aside until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil a large skillet over high heat until you see wisps of smoke rising from the pan. Cook half the shrimp until lightly browned on both sides, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a large bowl. Repeat with 1 more tablespoon of the oil and the remaining shrimp.
- Reduce the heat to medium-high and add the andouille in an even layer. Cook undisturbed until browned on one side, about 1 minute. Transfer to the bowl with the shrimp.
- Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the same skillet and add the garlic, bell peppers, onions, jalapeno, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until caramelized and tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, until brick-red colored, about 1 minute. Add the wine to deglaze the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Cook until the sauce reduces and you can no longer smell any alcohol, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the shrimp, andouille, any accumulated juices and 1/4 cup water and cook until the sauce is slightly reduced and the shrimp are cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
- Divide the warm grits among plates. Serve the shrimp and andouille over the grits. Garnish with the scallions.
SOUTH OF THE BORDER SHRIMP AND GRITS
This shrimp and grits can usually be made with on-hand ingredients. The best part...it's ready in under 30 minutes.
Provided by thedailygourmet
Categories Main Dish Recipes Seafood Main Dish Recipes Shrimp Shrimp and Grits Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 3
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Combine evaporated milk, grits, chicken broth, and butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add Cheddar cheese and stir until incorporated. Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Place bacon in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until crisp and browned, about 3 minutes per side. Drain bacon slices on paper towels and chop when cool enough to handle.
- Add bell peppers to the bacon grease. Add shrimp and taco seasoning. Cook and stir until peppers are heated through and shrimp are bright pink on the outside and the meat is opaque, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in chopped bacon.
- Place a dollop of grits in each bowl and top with shrimp mixture and hot sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 468.6 calories, Carbohydrate 39.7 g, Cholesterol 147.5 mg, Fat 22.3 g, Fiber 2.1 g, Protein 27.2 g, SaturatedFat 12.3 g, Sodium 866.7 mg, Sugar 13.2 g
CHARLESTON SHRIMP AND GRITS
Make and share this Charleston Shrimp and Grits recipe from Food.com.
Provided by ratherbeswimmin
Categories Breakfast
Time 46m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine shrimp with lemon juice and a couple of generous splashes of Tabasco sauce; let sit while you begin the grits and gravy.
- Make the grits: in a large heavy saucepan, bring 6 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil.
- Whisk in the grits a few handfuls at a time (they will bubble up initially).
- When you have added all the grits, decrease heat to a very low simmer and cook over low heat for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally at first and more frequently toward the end.
- While the grits simmer, start the gravy: fry bacon in a skillet over medium heat until brown but still limp; stir in the onion, green pepper, and garlic; continue cooking until onion and pepper are limp, about 5 minutes.
- Add in the scallions; sprinkle flour over the mixture; continue sautéing for 5 minutes longer.
- Stir in the stock and remaining salt; cook for 5 minutes longer; remove from the heat while you finish the grits.
- When the grits are thick and creamy, stir in as much of the butter as you wish, followed by the cheese.
- Add a splash of Tabasco sauce and more salt if desired.
- Cover the grits while you finish the gravy.
- Return the gravy to the heat and stir in the shrimp; cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes.
- Serve immediately mounding the grits in large shallow bowls or on plates and covering them with shrimp and gravy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 581.4, Fat 21.2, SaturatedFat 10.2, Cholesterol 262.1, Sodium 2202.7, Carbohydrate 56.8, Fiber 3.6, Sugar 3, Protein 38.6
FOLLY ISLAND SHRIMP AND GRITS
Provided by Paula Keener-Chavis
Categories Brunch Sauté Cream Cheese Shrimp Bon Appétit South Carolina Sugar Conscious Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Tree Nut Free Soy Free
Yield Serves 2
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Combine chicken broth and 1 tablespoon butter in heavy medium saucepan and bring to boil. Stir in grits. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mix cream cheese and half and half into grits. Cover and simmer mixture until almost all liquid has evaporated and grits are tender, stirring frequently, about 7 minutes. Stir in green onions. Remove mixture from heat.
- Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté just until shrimp are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Stir in lime juice. Remove skillet from heat. Spoon grits onto center of plate. Top with shrimp and drizzle with lime butter from skillet.
CAROLINA SHRIMP & CHEDDAR GRITS
Shrimp and grits were a house favorite-if only we could agree on how to make them. I stirred up a winner for the whole family with some cheddar and Cajun seasoning. -Charlotte Price, Raleigh, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 3h
Yield 6 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Place the first 5 ingredients in a 3-qt. slow cooker; stir to combine. Cook, covered, on high until water is absorbed and grits are tender, 2-1/2-3 hours, stirring every 45 minutes., Stir in cheese and butter until melted. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook, covered, on high until heated through, 15-30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 417 calories, Fat 22g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 175mg cholesterol, Sodium 788mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 27g protein.
SOUTH CAROLINA SHRIMP AND GRITS
Craving some down-home Southern fare? Serve this perfect combo any time of the day.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
Time 1h25m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Make the grits: Place grits in a bowl, and cover with cold water by about 3 inches. Stir grits so that bits of husk rise to the top; pour off top layer of water. Strain through a fine sieve, and transfer to a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in 5 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a simmer, whisking, until beginning to thicken. Reduce heat, and simmer gently, stirring occasionally and scraping bottom and sides of pan with a wooden spoon, until thick and creamy, about 45 minutes. Remove from heat. Let stand, covered, for 30 minutes or up to 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, make the shrimp: Cook bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until beginning to crisp, about 5 minutes; transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon. Cook garlic, onion, and bell pepper in bacon fat, stirring occasionally, until just tender but not browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Season shrimp on both sides with salt and pepper. Raise heat to medium-high; push vegetables to edge of skillet. Add oil, and heat until shimmering. Sear shrimp in a single layer for 2 minutes. Flip, and sear for 1 minute. Push shrimp to edge of skillet; sprinkle flour into center. Cook, stirring flour into vegetable-shrimp mixture, for 2 minutes. Add stock. Simmer, stirring, until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Add lemon juice, and stir in reserved bacon. Season with salt and pepper.
- Just before serving, heat grits over medium-low. Stir in cheese and butter; season with salt and pepper. Serve shrimp over grits on warmed plates.
Tips for Making the Best South Carolina Shrimp and Grits:
- **Use fresh shrimp.** Fresh shrimp will have a sweeter, more delicate flavor than frozen shrimp. If you can't find fresh shrimp, frozen shrimp will work, but be sure to thaw it completely before cooking. - **Season the shrimp and grits well.** Shrimp and grits are a blank canvas for flavor, so don't be afraid to season them generously. Use a combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. You can also add other spices, such as cayenne pepper or Old Bay seasoning, to taste. - **Cook the grits slowly and steadily.** Grits can take a while to cook, so be patient and don't rush the process. Cook them over low heat, stirring frequently, until they are creamy and tender. - **Use a good quality cheese.** The cheese is one of the key ingredients in shrimp and grits, so it's important to use a good quality cheese that melts well. Cheddar cheese is a classic choice, but you can also use Parmesan cheese, Gruyère cheese, or a combination of cheeses. - **Don't overcrowd the pan.** When cooking the shrimp, don't overcrowd the pan. This will prevent the shrimp from cooking evenly. Cook the shrimp in batches if necessary. - **Serve the shrimp and grits immediately.** Shrimp and grits are best served hot and fresh. Garnish with chopped parsley, green onions, or crumbled bacon, if desired.Conclusion:
South Carolina shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish that is easy to make and delicious to eat. With its creamy grits, succulent shrimp, and flavorful sauce, shrimp and grits is a dish that everyone will love. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give South Carolina shrimp and grits a try. You won't be disappointed!
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