• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Happier Homemaker logo

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Home & Garden
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • SHOP
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Home Tips
  • Printables
  • DIY
  • Free Organizing Course
  • Clean Routine Academy
  • Mom's Chore Toolbox
  • Shop
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Main Courses » Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

    Last updated: Mar 28, 2022 by Melissa Riker · 8 Comments

    Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits Recipe

    Jump to Recipe
    close up of shrimp and grits in white bowl

    Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern recipe that is easier than you think to prepare! With less than an hour of cook time, this Charleston style Shrimp and Grits is fast enough for busy weeknight meals!

    white bowl with shrimp and grits and chopped green onion

    Growing up in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Shrimp and Grits was one of my favorite meals. If you haven't tried this classic southern meal you're in for a treat-this is Charleston cooking at it's best!

    Why I love this recipe

    Rich, creamy, cheesy grits are topped with shrimp cooked up with bacon in a lovely skillet pan sauce. It's the ultimate Southern comfort food and perfect for making for company...they will be totally impressed!

    close up of shrimp and grits

    Shrimp and Grits may seem too fancy to make at home but it's a deceptively simple dish. The entire recipe can be prepared in just an hour!

    Ingredients

    • stone-ground grits (not instant!)
    • milk
    • butter
    • cheddar cheese
    • bacon
    • lemon juice
    • fresh parsley
    • garlic
    • cayenne pepper & salt
    • green onions for garnish (optional)

    Step by step

    This recipe started with stone-ground grits, which are cooked over 30 minutes with milk and butter to form the creamy base of the Shrimp and Grits. A heap of cheddar cheese is the last step to making these grits Lowcountry-perfect!

    While the grits are cooking brown bacon in a large heavy saucepan and remove to a plate. Add the shrimp to the pan and cook until just pink. Return the bacon to the pan and season to perfection with lemon juice, garlic, parsley and cayenne pepper, then let the sauce simmer for a few minutes for the flavors to blend!

    Tips for best results

    • The grits take a while to cook so get those going right away. Everything else can be prepared while you wait for the grits.
    • Stone ground grits can be hard to find in larger chain grocery stores, you can find the kind of grits I use here. I do not recommend making this recipe with instant grits, they don't cook up the same. You can substitute old fashioned grits if necessary.
    • Cook shrimp until they are just pink, don't overcook or they can become chewy.

    You might also like these Southern classic recipes:

    • Lowcountry Boil
    • Southern Squash Casserole
    • Nana's Southern Pecan Pie
    • Homestyle Southern Potato Salad
    • Charleston Cheese Dip
    • Easy Southern Collard Greens Recipe
    • Homemade Biscuits and Sausage Gravy

    If you try this recipe, please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!

    Print
    clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

    Charleston Style Shrimp and Grits

    ★★★★★ 4.5 from 4 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 5 mins
    • Cook Time: 40 mins
    • Total Time: 45 mins
    • Yield: 4 1x
    • Category: dinner
    • Method: stovetop
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Shrimp and Grits is a classic Southern recipe that is easier than you think to prepare! With just 30 minutes of cook time, this Charleston style Shrimp and Grits is fast enough for busy weeknight meals!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 1 cup water
    • 2 cups milk
    • ½ cup + 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 teaspoon salt + dash
    • 1 cup stone ground grits (NOT instant!)
    • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
    • ½ lb bacon
    • 1lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • 4 tsp lemon juice
    • 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
    • 1 tbsp minced garlic
    • dash cayenne pepper

    Instructions

    1. Bring the water, milk, ½ cup butter and salt to just a boil.
    2. Add the grits and stir.
    3. Cook over low heat 30 minutes, stirring often to prevent sticking.
    4. Add the cheese and stir, cook an additional 10 minutes.
    5. Meanwhile in a large saucepan cook bacon until brown, remove bacon leaving grease in pan.
    6. Add shrimp and cook for 5 minutes or until pink.
    7. Chop bacon and return to pan along with 2 tablespoons of butter, lemon juice, parsley, cayenne and garlic.
    8. Cook 2-3 minutes. Spoon grits into bowl and top with shrimp mixture.
    9. Serve immediately.

    Keywords: shrimp and grits

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @thehappierhomemaker — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    « Slow Cooker Beef Stew
    Hawaiian Turkey Grilled Cheese »
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Email
    • Flipboard

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jennie says

      March 28, 2022 at 3:14 pm

      this was so good, my husband asked me to make it again next weekend!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Grant says

      July 29, 2021 at 9:30 pm

      Traditional shrimp and grits uses Tasso ham to make the gravy. It also included peppers. Try it with those changes and you’ll taste a difference

      ★★★

      Reply
    3. Jen says

      July 20, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      Omg this was so good!! Thank you for sharing!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    4. Melissa says

      July 05, 2019 at 4:12 pm

      turned out great! Loved it and way easier than I thought!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    5. Bob Toombs says

      May 20, 2019 at 3:52 pm

      Who in their right mind would put 1+cup of butter in a dish with 1 cup of grits? Do you have any idea what the caloric content wold be for this? Totally ridiculous.

      Reply
      • Melissa says

        May 25, 2019 at 9:41 pm

        Southerners...we drown everything in butter and it's delicious! It's also the case for cooking our veggies in bacon fat, etc. I know it seems odd but it is delicious and perfect for a special occasion dish.

        Reply
      • Tonda says

        July 08, 2020 at 3:08 pm

        It's a half a cup plus 2 tbsp.

        Reply
    6. Geoff says

      December 21, 2018 at 5:36 pm

      Imho, way too much butter and I cut it back to 1 cup.
      If I did it over again I would do 4 tbsp and make up the cup with another cup of water.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    Primary Sidebar

    Meet Melissa

    Hi, I'm Melissa and I have a passion for helping people find effective ways to clean and organize, feed their families, and truly enjoy their homes.
    More about me -->

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Favorites

    chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter buttercream frosting on blue napkin

    Peanut Butter Buttercream Icing Recipe

    cinnamon candle in jar with orange bow

    DIY Cinnamon Candles

    japanese clear soup in white bowl

    Hibachi Japanese Clear Soup

    close up of instant pot beef stew in white bowl with brown patterned napkin

    Easy Instant Pot Beef Stew

    More Reader Favorites Here

    30 Minute Meals

    white spoon with Swedish meatballs

    Turkey Swedish Meatballs

    two bowls of chicken and dumplings

    Easy Chicken & Dumplings

    creamy cajun chicken penne pasta in skillet

    Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta

    pasta primavera in white bowl

    Pasta Primavera Recipe

    See More

    Featured On:

    collage of logos of major publications and TV networks

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    About

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    Newsletter

    Sign Up! f

    Contact

    Contact

    Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Featured in:

    website and magazine logo collage

    Copyright © 2022

    19103 shares
    • 213