This Black Folks Shrimp and Grits recipe is made with fluffy, creamy stone ground grits and served with Southern Creole seasoned gravy. Pair this soul food staple with any of your favorite seafood or shellfish.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read our full disclosure here.
Origin/ Where Did Shrimp and Grits Originate
Shrimp and grits was originally an African dish made with ground maize and shellfish. It migrated with enslaved people who were brought to the Lowcountry of the American South.
This variation of the dish originates from the South, primarily the Carolinas along with a taste of New Orleans and Louisiana. It’s sometimes referred to as breakfast grits or breakfast shrimp. It’s also often served with fried catfish or salmon croquettes as well.
Shrimp and grits have become really popular in recent years. You can find them on many brunch menus now and they are almost always prepared differently. I have encountered several versions that have a tomato-based sauce. This recipe demonstrates how to make the meal the Black way.
What Type of Grits to Use
There are several different types of grits: quick grits, instant grits, stone-ground grits, and hominy grits.
Stone-ground grits are my favorite type to use. They have a different texture than quick grits. Stone-ground are made from whole dried corn kernels that have been coarsely ground the old-fashioned way: between the two stones of a grist mill. These often have a rich corn flavor. They are also less processed.
Stone- ground is usually harder to find at an everyday grocery store. Most are focused on instant grits. I got mine at Trader Joe’s and you can also pick up stone-ground grits from Amazon.
Quick grits are ground fine (as opposed to coarse). These will cook faster than stone ground, but not as quickly as instant. Instant grits have been pre-cooked.
If you use quick grits or instant, refer to the product packaging for instructions on how to cook those.
You may also love our Smoked Gouda and Grits recipe.
What Type of Shrimp to Use
Shrimp can be found at the grocery store in a few different ways. There is raw, pre-cooked, raw and frozen, deveined, tails on, tails off, etc.
I don’t recommend pre-cooked shrimp. There is an obvious difference in taste due to the lack of quality. The shrimp is cooked and then frozen and you have to cook it/warm it up again. This usually overcooks the shrimp. Raw shrimp only takes minutes to make.
Deveined shrimp are easier to work with. The black vein that runs along the back of the shrimp is the digestive intestinal tract. Is this shrimp poop, yes. You can buy it with the vein and remove it using a sharp paring knife to make a slit along the back and lift out the vein with the tip of the knife.
Check out tips on How to Peel and Devein Shrimp here.
As for sizing, I prefer large shrimp and 15-20 count packages.
How to Make Black Folks Shrimp and Grits
Detailed measurements and full instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- Cook the grits in accordance with package instructions.
- Fry bacon on both sides until crisp.
- Season shrimp and cook. until translucent.
- Add chopped onions and garlic to a skillet along with broth, Creole Seasoning, and lemon juice.
- Stir until the gravy sauce thickens.
- Serve the grits with shrimp, bacon, and gravy.
Sauce for Grits
The gravy sauce is one of the best parts of this recipe. You will make the gravy using broth (I like to use chicken broth), onions, garlic, bacon drippings, Creole Seasoning, and fresh lemon juice.
How to Substitute Bacon
You can substitute bacon for turkey bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, etc. The bacon is used in the recipe for additional flavor. You can also simply omit it if you wish.
Runny Grits
If your grits are runny it’s because you used too much liquid or the grits were cooked at too high of a temperature. The type of grits you use will determine the amount of liquid you need and different brands may cook differently as well. Be sure to review the instructions on the package of grits you purchase. Take note of the liquid to grits ratio and make adjustments to this recipe if necessary.
If you find your grits are runny you can drain any excess water/broth to help with thickening.
Grits will thicken as they cool. This is where the phrase “Thick as day-old grits,” comes from lol.
Lumpy Grits
Making grits shouldn’t be a rushed job. Unless you use this Instant Pot Grits method. No stirring and it’s full proof! If your grits are lumpy it’s because they weren’t whisked and stirred often enough.
How to Tell When the Shrimp Have Finished Cooking
Raw and frozen shrimp are translucent gray. When it’s cooked, it should be an opaque white with some pink and bright red accents. This is the best indicator of whether or not shrimp is fully cooked.
When shrimp cooks, the muscle contracts, so the shrimp shrinks and curls. I find that it’s perfectly cooked when it has a C shape. I remove the shrimp from heat immediately when it reaches this shape. Often, if it reaches an O shape, and completely curls in, it will taste overcooked.
Overcooked Shrimp
If your shrimp is dry, rubbery, or mushy, you cooked it too long. Shrimp cooks fast, it’s another reason why it’s one of my favorites for quick meals. The key is to remove them from the heat right when the flesh is uniformly pink. Watch shrimp closely as it cooks, do not wander away, especially if you are cooking it in a pan and searing it on the stove.
Pair With These Side Dishes
Southern Candied Yams
Okra and Tomatoes with Chicken
Fried Plantains with Poulet DG
Southern Fried Cabbage with Bacon
More Shrimp Recipes to Try
Creole Shrimp Au Gratin
Cajun Shrimp Pasta
Cheesy Hot Shrimp Dip
Cobb Salad with Jerk Shrimp
Smoked Shrimp
Surf and Turf Steak and Shrimp
Black Folks Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
Grits
- 2 ¼ cup chicken broth You can also substitute water. See notes.
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup stone ground grits
- 1 cup milk Any milk will work. See notes.
- 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup shredded Parmesan reggiano cheese
Shrimp and Sauce/Gravy
- 1 pound raw shrimp Peeled and deveined.
- 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bacon Diced into small pieces 1/4inch thick.
- 1/2 cup chopped white onions
- 3 garlic cloves Minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon Creole Seasoning Start with ¼ teaspoon. Taste repeatedly and adjust to taste as needed.
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Instructions
Grits
- In a large pot combine the broth, butter, and salt. Bring to a boil.
- Gradually stir in the grits. Lower the heat to Low and continue to stir the grits frequently for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed. Stirring is essential. If you don’t constantly stir the grits they will be lumpy.
- Once the liquid has been absorbed, remove the pot from heat and add the milk and shredded cheese. Stir until thick and creamy.
- Allow the grits to thicken for at least 10 minutes.
Shrimp and Sauce/Gravy
- Heat a skillet on medium-high heat and fry the bacon on both sides until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside.
- Reserve the bacon grease in the skillet to make the gravy. Use your judgment and drain any excess grease if you feel the need to.
- Add the shrimp to the pan with the bacon grease on medium heat. Season the shrimp with the Old Bay Seasoning. Cook both sides of the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove the shrimp and set aside.
- Add the chopped onions and garlic to the skillet on medium heat. Cook for 2-3 minutes until translucent and fragrant.
- Add the broth to the skillet. Deglaze the pan by using a wooden spoon or spatula to scoop up any brown bits in the pan.
- Add in the Creole seasoning and lemon juice. Stir. Crumble the bacon and sprinkle it into the skillet. See notes for how to thicken the gravy if you like it thick.
- Serve on plates or in bowls. Add the grits topped with shrimp. Drizzle gravy and bacon throughout.
Video
Notes
- If you use Instant Grits or Quick Grits refer to your packaging for instructions on how to cook them.
- You can substitute bacon for turkey bacon, sausage, turkey sausage, etc. The bacon is used in the recipe for additional flavor. You can also simply omit it if you wish.
- I love to cook grits in broth because it gives them a rich flavor. You can use water if you prefer.
- The thicker the milk you use, the creamier your grits will be. Keep this in mind if you plan to use low-fat skim milk or plant-based milk.
- Feel free to substitute any cheese you like.
- If you like a thick gravy you can combine 1 tablespoon of water along with 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour in a bowl. Mix well and add it to the gravy. Stir continuously until thick. Since the grits are already thick, the dish is often served with a thin sauce. If you like it thick, this will thicken it up.
- If your shrimp is dry, rubbery, or mushy, you cooked it too long. The key is to remove them from the heat right when the flesh is uniformly pink. Watch shrimp closely as it cooks, do not wander away, especially if you are cooking it in a pan and searing it on the stove.
- If you find your grits are runny you can drain any excess water/broth to help with thickening.
- If your grits are lumpy it’s because they weren’t whisked and stirred often enough.
- You can make full proof grits using an Instant Pot or pressure cooker. Cook for 10 minutes with 15 minutes of release of natural steam.
Amber
Tuesday 30th of January 2024
Absolutely delicious. I spent almost 40 years thinking that I hated grits until now, and that shrimp and gravy is to die for!
Tanya
Saturday 10th of February 2024
Thanks so much, Amber! So happy you liked the recipe and the gravy :)