Authentic Charleston Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 cup coarsely ground grits
• 2 cups half-and-half
• 2 pounds uncooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
• salt to taste
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
• 1 medium lemon, juiced
• 1 pound andouille sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 5 slices bacon
• 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 0.25 cup butter
• 0.25 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Gather all of your ingredients. In a heavy saucepan, bring water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Whisk the grits into the boiling water, then whisk in the half-and-half. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the grits have thickened and are tender, approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
3. Season the shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper. Add lemon juice, toss to ensure even coating, and set aside to marinate, infusing the shrimp with flavor.
4. Place sausage slices in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until nicely browned, around 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet.
5. Add bacon to the same skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until the bacon is evenly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain excess grease, then chop or crumble once it's cool enough to handle. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet to enhance the flavor.
6. Add bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bacon drippings; cook and stir until the onion becomes translucent, which should take about 8 minutes.
7. Stir the cooked sausage and marinated shrimp into the skillet with the cooked vegetables, ensuring a harmonious blend of flavors. Turn off the heat and set aside.
8. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour, stirring continuously to create a smooth roux, the base for a luscious sauce. Turn the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture develops a golden brown color, approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, as the mixture can burn easily.
9. Pour the roux over the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables, evenly coating them in the flavorful base.
10. Place the skillet over medium heat, add chicken broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine all the ingredients. Cook until the sauce thickens and the shrimp turn opaque and bright pink, indicating they are perfectly cooked, about 8 minutes.
11. Just before serving, mix Cheddar cheese into the grits; stir until the cheese is completely melted and the grits are creamy and light yellow, adding richness and flavor.
12. Spoon the creamy grits onto plates and serve the savory shrimp mixture generously over the top, creating an appealing and delicious presentation.
13. Serve immediately and enjoy the delightful flavors of authentic Charleston Shrimp and Grits!

Nutrition

• Calories: 618 kcal
• Fat Content: 44 g
• Fiber Content: 1 g
• Sugar Content: 3 g
• Sodium Content: 1635 mg
• Protein Content: 39 g
• Cholesterol Content: 270 mg
• Carbohydrate Content: 16 g
• Saturated Fat Content: 20 g
• Unsaturated Fat Content: 0 g