Hello, Food Adventurers! And let’s cook up this Shrimp and Grits recipe a staple Southern comfort food! Additionally, topping classic Shrimp and Grits with a Creole sauce makes a perfect, quick & easy dinner. Cooking with kids and teaching new kitchen skills is another great way to bond and spend quality time together. Whenever kids can easily join in on the cooking process let them by measuring ingredients, adding them, and chopping vegetables. So, let’s put on our aprons and head to the kitchen for an adventure to New Orleans without leaving home!

Tracing back to South Carolina was a staple, when it fed fishermen and plantation workers, Shrimp and Grits recipes have been a classic Southern staple for generations. Since it’s origins it has spread throughout the Southern US, becoming a hearty meal that families enjoy to this day.

So, if you’re ready for a delicious meal, then tie on your apron and make your way to the kitchen. Cooking up our Creole Shrimp and Grits recipe and enjoy a taste of the South without leaving your home.

Combining savory and sweet flavors, the Gourmet Gus Creole Shrimp and Grits recipe features shrimp, creamy grits, and a slightly spicy creole sauce. Certainly the slightly sweet seafood flavor from the shrimp is complemented by the rich and creamy grits perfectly.

The dish’s vegetable backbone, the Cajun Trinity, consists of onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Firstly, it brings savory and slightly sweet flavors to the Shrimp & Grits. Secondly, it’s essential for recreating traditional Cajun and Creole flavors. Finally, adding garlic complements the shrimp and Cajun Trinity, providing a distinct and delicious flavor to the dish.

Adding diced tomatoes and tomato paste to the mix, bringing a slightly sweet and tangy flavor to Shrimp and Grits. And adding Tomato paste also helps to thicken the sauce, creating a velvety texture that pairs well with the creamy grits. Finally, chicken stock provides a depth of flavor and savoriness to this family friendly dish.

By adding heavy cream, this dish achieves a rich, velvety texture, making it a comfort food favorite. Additionally, the Creole seasoning, including paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion powder, brings subtle heat. Additionally, to tone it down, reduce the cayenne pepper in the mix.

Shrimp & Grits will tempt any kid into a second serving all on its own. Looking for a side we recommend a steamy fresh out of the oven cornbread.

Cooking this Creole Shrimp and Grits recipe earns a Kid Effort Score of 2 out of 5. With adult supervision, many steps become kid-friendly though involving a knife and hot stove. Parents teaching knife skills should buy a kid-safe knife. Cooking Creole Shrimp & Grits is a fun and educational activity for kids to learn about new cuisines.

Measuring, adding water, and milk (Kid Effort 1 out of 5): Involve younger kids by letting parents measure and pour water and milk into the saucepan, providing a great opportunity to teach basic skills. This step is kid-friendly.

Stirring the grits (Kid Effort 2 out of 5): With appropriate supervision, even a 3-year-old can assist with this step, which is suitable for slightly older children.

Salt & Peppering To Taste (Kid Effort 1 out of 5): Parents can portion out the added amount, and as kids get older, they can assist with adding “To Taste.”

Chopping vegetables (Kid Effort 2 out of 5): Using kid-safe knives, chopping is a fun activity for kids. Red bell peppers are easy to chop, but onions can cause tears. (Wear swim goggles to prevent tears!)

Stirring vegetables (Kid Effort 3 out of 5): Stirring on the stove needs supervision as oil may splatter, unlike stirring the grits.

Adding garlic (2/5 difficulty): Adult supervision recommended for potential oil splatter while stirring on stove.

Stir simmering sauce (Kid Effort 2 out of 5): Younger kids can perform this simple step with appropriate adult supervision in the kitchen.

Adding heavy cream (1/5 difficulty): Kids can easily add cream to the sauce, so involve them with appropriate supervision.

Plating the Shrimp and Grits Recipe (Kid Effort 1 out of 5): Kids can get involved in assembling and layering the dish, making it a crucial step to feeling involved in the cooking process.

Creole Shrimp and Grits Recipe

A true Southern Classic sure to please any adventurous palette

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine Cajun, Creole, Southern

Servings 4 People

Calories 500 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 Lb Shrimp, Peeled & Deveined
• 1 Cup Grits
• 2 Cups Water
• 2 Cups Milk Whole milk is best
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• 2 Tbsp Butter
• 1/2 Medium Sweet Yellow Onion, Chopped 1/4" Cubes
• 1 Stalk Celery, Chopped 1/4" Cubes
• 1 Pepper Red Bell Pepper, Chopped 1/4" Cubes
• 2 Cloves Garlic, grated
• 1 Can Diced Tomatoes, 10oz can
• 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock
• 1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
• 1 Tbsp Creole Seasoning (Adjust amount down to limit hear)
• 1 Tbsp Neutral Vegetable Oil (We use Avocado Oil)
• 1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional)
• Green Onions, Chopped (Optional for Garnish)

Instructions

 

• In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of water and 2 cups of milk to a boil.
  2 Cups Water, 2 Cups Milk
• Gradually stir in the grits, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat to low and cover.
  1 Cup Grits, 1/2 tsp Salt, 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
• Cook the grits for 15-20 minutes or until they are thick and creamy, stirring occasionally. After grits start to thicken add the Parmesan (Optional).
  1/4 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
• While the grits are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  1 Tbsp Neutral Vegetable Oil
• Add the onion, celery, and red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-5 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
  1/2 Medium Sweet Yellow Onion, Chopped 1/4" Cubes, 1 Stalk Celery, Chopped 1/4" Cubes, 1 Pepper Red Bell Pepper, Chopped 1/4" Cubes
• Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
  2 Cloves Garlic, grated
• Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, and creole seasoning. Stir to combine.
  1 Can Diced Tomatoes, 10oz can, 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste, 1/2 Cup Chicken Stock, 1 Tbsp Creole Seasoning
• Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened. Should lightly coat back of a spoon.
• Stir in the heavy cream and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
  1/4 Cup Heavy Cream
• In a separate skillet, melt 2 Tbsp of butter over medium-high heat.
  2 Tbsp Butter
• Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until they are pink and cooked through.
  1 Lb Shrimp, Peeled & Deveined
• Serve the grits in a bowl and spoon the creole sauce over the top.
• Add the cooked shrimp on top of the sauce.
• Garnish with chopped green onions (optional)
  Green Onions, Chopped