If you’re craving a dish that wraps comfort, zest, and a touch of Southern charm into one heavenly plate, you absolutely must try this Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe. It’s the perfect balance of silky, rich grits, tender shrimp that pack a flavorful punch, smoky crispy bacon, and a bright lemony twist that ties it all together. This recipe transforms humble ingredients into a dish that feels like a warm hug on a plate—whether it’s a cozy weeknight dinner or a special weekend treat.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, and each one plays a crucial role in creating the texture, depth, and vibrant flavors of this beloved dish.
- 4 cups water: The base for cooking the grits to creamy perfection.
- 1 cup old fashioned grits: Offers the ideal texture and heartiness—be sure to use good-quality grits for the best results.
- 1 teaspoon salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the grits and shrimp.
- 2 ounces cream cheese: Adds luscious creaminess and richness to the grits.
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter: Elevates the smooth texture and adds depth of flavor.
- 4 slices bacon (chopped): Brings crispy texture and smoky salty goodness to the dish.
- 5 green onions (thinly sliced): Infuses a fresh, mild bite with color contrast.
- 4 cloves garlic (minced): Provides aromatic warmth and savory flavor.
- 1 pound large shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star protein—juicy and tender when cooked just right.
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt: For seasoning the shrimp perfectly.
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity.
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour: Helps thicken the luscious sauce.
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth: Forms the flavorful base of the sauce that coats the shrimp and grits.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Adds a bright, refreshing zing that lifts the whole dish.
- Hot sauce: To taste, for a little spicy kick that balances the creaminess.
How to Make Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe
Step 1: Make the Grits Ultra Creamy
Start by bringing 4 cups of water to a boil and adding the teaspoon of salt, which will season the grits evenly. Slowly whisk in the grits to avoid lumps and reduce the heat to low. Let them simmer, stirring often for 20 to 25 minutes—this slow cooking is key to achieving that silky texture. Once tender, stir in chunks of cream cheese and butter until melted and luxuriously combined; this is where the grits become irresistibly creamy and rich.
Step 2: Crisp Up the Bacon
While the grits cook, crisp the chopped bacon in a skillet over medium heat until golden and crunchy. Removing the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate means you retain the awesome bacon grease, which will add so much flavor to your shrimp and sauce later. Be sure to keep about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the pan for that smoky depth.
Step 3: Build Your Flavor Base with Green Onions and Garlic
In that flavorful bacon grease, sauté the thinly sliced green onions for around 3 to 4 minutes until fragrant and soft. Then add minced garlic, cooking for about a minute more until it releases its irresistible aroma. These aromatics build incredible layers of flavor that will infuse the shrimp and sauce beautifully.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp to Perfection
Season your peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet with the aromatics over medium-high heat. Cook just until the shrimp turn pink and are almost done—about 3 minutes—making sure not to overcook so they stay juicy and tender. Remove them to the plate with the bacon to keep warm while you prepare the sauce.
Step 5: Whisk and Simmer the Sauce
In a small bowl, mix the flour into the broth to create a slurry. Pour this into the skillet, whisking vigorously to combine and scrape up all those delicious browned bits from the pan. Let the sauce simmer until it thickens to a glossy consistency, then add the fresh lemon juice and a few shakes of hot sauce. Return the shrimp to the pan, stir to coat everything in that zesty, creamy sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Step 6: Assemble and Serve
Spoon the creamy grits onto your plates, then pile the shrimp and that tangy sauce on top. Sprinkle the crispy bacon pieces and extra green onions over the dish for a pop of texture and freshness. Serve immediately to enjoy all those contrasting flavors and textures at their best.
How to Serve Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe
Garnishes
Adding a sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or additional green onions brightens the dish visually and flavor-wise. A few dashes of your favorite hot sauce can heighten the spicy edge perfectly, complementing the creamy base and smoky bacon.
Side Dishes
This dish is incredibly satisfying on its own but pairs beautifully with a simple side salad dressed with vinaigrette. Roasted or steamed greens like asparagus or collard greens add a fresh, slightly bitter counterpoint that balances the richness wonderfully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a dinner party, serve the grits in individual ramekins topped with shrimp and sauce for an elegant presentation. Garnish with lemon zest or a small sprig of thyme to add visual appeal and subtle aromas that impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover shrimp and grits separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This helps maintain the texture of each component—grits don’t get gummy, and shrimp stay tender.
Freezing
While the grits freeze well on their own, shrimp tend to lose their ideal texture when frozen after cooking. For best results, freeze them separately before cooking or enjoy the leftovers fresh within a couple of days.
Reheating
When reheating, warm the grits gently over low heat, adding a splash of milk or broth to bring back that creamy texture. Reheat the shrimp and sauce in a skillet over medium heat just until warmed through to avoid overcooking.
FAQs
Can I use quick-cooking grits?
Yes, you can! But old fashioned grits provide a better, more toothsome texture that holds up well against the rich shrimp and bacon flavors.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
You can substitute with an extra tablespoon or two of butter or a splash of heavy cream to maintain that creamy texture in the grits.
Can I make this dish spicy?
Absolutely! Adding more hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the shrimp sauce amps up the heat without compromising the creamy balance.
Is it okay to use frozen shrimp?
Frozen shrimp work great, just make sure to thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to avoid excess water in the pan.
What can I use instead of bacon?
If you want a smoky flavor without bacon, smoked sausage or pancetta are tasty alternatives, or you can omit pork for a lighter version and boost seasoning with smoked paprika.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe is one of those dishes that always brings a smile to the table. With simple ingredients transformed into something spectacular, it’s a recipe you’ll want to revisit often. Give it a try and enjoy every luscious bite!
Print
Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
A classic Southern comfort dish, Shrimp and Grits combines creamy, cheesy grits with savory, spiced shrimp topped with crispy bacon and green onions. This recipe features slow-simmered grits enriched with cream cheese and butter, paired with shrimp cooked in a flavorful bacon-garlic sauce finished with a tangy lemon and spicy hot sauce kick, perfect for a hearty and satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Grits
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup old fashioned grits
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Shrimp and Sauce
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 5 green onions, thinly sliced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken or seafood broth
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Hot sauce, to taste
Instructions
- Make the Grits: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water and 1 teaspoon salt to a boil. Slowly add 1 cup of old fashioned grits while whisking constantly to avoid lumps. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer, stirring frequently, for 20 to 25 minutes until the grits reach your desired tenderness and consistency.
- Enrich Grits: Cut 2 ounces of cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of unsalted butter into chunks and stir them into the hot grits until fully melted and combined, creating a creamy texture.
- Cook Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 slices of chopped bacon until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet. (Save the remaining bacon grease for another use if desired.) Increase heat to medium-high.
- Sauté Aromatics: Add 5 thinly sliced green onions to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until softened. Add 4 cloves of minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook Shrimp: Season 1 pound of peeled and deveined large shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add the shrimp to the skillet with the aromatics and bacon grease, adding more grease if needed. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until shrimp turns pink and is nearly cooked through. Remove shrimp to the plate with the bacon.
- Make Sauce: Whisk 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into 1 cup of chicken or seafood broth until smooth. Pour the mixture into the skillet, scraping the browned bits off the bottom as you whisk. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until the sauce thickens. Stir in the juice of 1 lemon and a few dashes of hot sauce to taste.
- Combine and Finish: Return the cooked shrimp and bacon to the skillet with the sauce, stirring gently to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve: Spoon the shrimp and sauce over the hot, creamy grits. Garnish with the crispy bacon pieces and additional sliced green onion if desired. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use old fashioned grits for the best texture; quick-cooking grits will alter the consistency.
- Make sure to stir the grits frequently to prevent sticking or lumps.
- Save extra bacon grease for flavoring other dishes.
- Adjust hot sauce according to your heat preference.
- For a richer sauce, substitute some broth with a splash of heavy cream if desired.
- Serve with a side of sautéed greens or cornbread for a complete Southern meal.
