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Flavorful Cajun Blackened Shrimp Recipe with Creamy Grits

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A quick and easy Southern-inspired dish featuring spicy blackened shrimp paired with creamy, cheesy grits. Perfect for family dinners, brunches, or impressing guests with bold flavors and comforting textures.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or frozen, thawed)
  • 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking shrimp)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for grits)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream or whole milk
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or green onions, fresh lemon wedges

Instructions

  1. Rinse shrimp under cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels.
  2. Toss shrimp in a bowl with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, and oregano. Let sit for 10 minutes.
  3. In a medium saucepan, bring water or chicken broth to a boil. Stir in salt and slowly whisk in stone-ground grits.
  4. Lower heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring frequently, for 20-25 minutes until thick and creamy.
  5. Halfway through cooking grits, stir in minced garlic and butter.
  6. Remove grits from heat and stir in shredded cheddar cheese and heavy cream or milk until melted and smooth. Keep warm.
  7. Heat a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot (3-5 minutes). Add olive oil and butter, swirling to coat the pan.
  8. Add shrimp in a single layer (work in batches if needed). Cook 2 minutes on one side without moving to form a dark crust.
  9. Flip shrimp and cook another 1-2 minutes until opaque and cooked through. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
  10. Plate creamy grits and top with blackened shrimp. Garnish with parsley or green onions and serve with lemon wedges.

Notes

Use a very hot pan to achieve the perfect blackened crust on shrimp. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Stir grits often to prevent lumps and sticking. Mixing butter and olive oil for cooking shrimp balances flavor and smoke point. Adjust cayenne pepper to control spice level. Let shrimp rest a minute after cooking for tender bites.

Nutrition

Keywords: Cajun shrimp, blackened shrimp, creamy grits, Southern recipe, easy dinner, seafood, spicy shrimp, comfort food

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