Simple Shrimp and Grits (No Roux)
This simple Shrimp and Grits recipe has Gouda cheese stirred into quick yellow grits (never instant). No roux in this easy recipe for shrimp and grits, so you'll have dinner on the table in a snap. For a creamier version, stir in a little whipping cream.
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 462kcal
Cost: 11
Ingredients
- 1 32-oz carton chicken broth (4 cups)
- 1 cup Milk (whole milk or half and half)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup quick-cooking grits or finely stone ground grits cooks in 5 minutes - not instant grits
Shrimp and Grits Sauce
- 4 tablespoons butter divided
- 1 cup 4 ounces shredded Gouda or other semi hard cheese Cheddar, Asiago, Gruyere
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped about 3/4 cup
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1 clove garlic, minced (or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder)
- 1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined (with tails left on, if desired)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce (more if you like)
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Measure out 3 cups of the broth in a 3-quart saucepan and add the milk and salt; bring it to a boil over medium-high heat stirring often. When it comes to a boil whisk in the grits. Whisk with one hand while slowly pouring the grits in with the other.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, stirring often, 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of the butter, and cheese, stirring until cheese melts.
Shrimp and Grits Sauce
- While broth mixture is coming to a boil, melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter with the olive oil a large cast iron or nonstick skillet. Add the onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook, stirring constantly over medium-high heat, 2 minutes or until onion is tender. Add the shrimp and cook 1 minute or just until shrimp turns pink and the end curls toward the tail. Remove the shrimp with tongs and set aside to prevent overcooking.
- Measure out 2 tablespoons of the remaining 1 cup of chicken broth and set aside in a very small bowl for the slurry. Add the remaining chicken broth, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce to the skillet; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally, and cook 3 minutes. Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until it melts.
- Stir together cornstarch and the 2 tablespoons of chicken broth set aside. Stir it into the sauce mixture and stir quickly over medium heat. It should thicken in about 30 seconds. Add the shrimp back to the sauce mixture.
- Spoon the cheese grits onto plates. (I served mine in four (5-inch cast iron skillets). If the grits have thickened up too much, stir in a little milk to loosen. Spoon the shrimp mixture over the grits and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley.
Notes
Note: Be sure to remove the shrimp tails before eating.
Other cheese options include Cheddar, Asiago, and Gruyere.
Shrimp and Grits Creamy Sauce: Stir in 1/2 cup of whipping cream can be added with the remaining chicken broth if you prefer a creamy sauce.
If you prefer to add smoked sausage, you can cook one pound of sliced sausage first, then omit the butter and oil and cook onion and pepper in the sausage drippings.
Nutrition
Serving: 1fourth | Calories: 462kcal