If you’re craving a dish that hits every note from creamy richness to zesty brightness, the Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe is your new best friend in the kitchen. This Southern classic comes alive with tender shrimp, smoky bacon, and a luscious lemon-infused sauce, all resting on a bed of perfectly creamy grits that are comfort in every bite. It’s simple enough for a weeknight yet special enough to impress guests, making it a true crowd-pleaser you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays a starring role in creating the perfect balance of flavors and textures. From the velvety grits to the crispy bacon and tangy lemon, each element is essential to bring this dish to life.
- Water: The base for cooking grits, ensuring they become soft and fluffy.
- Old fashioned grits: Adds a hearty, creamy texture that is the foundation of the dish.
- Salt: Elevates every ingredient’s flavor, especially important in the grits and shrimp seasoning.
- Cream cheese: Gives the grits an irresistibly smooth and tangy creaminess.
- Unsalted butter: Enriches the grits with a silky finish without overpowering other flavors.
- Bacon: Provides smoky crunch that contrasts beautifully with the creamy grits and tender shrimp.
- Green onions: Adds fresh, mild onion flavor and a pop of color.
- Garlic: Infuses the dish with warm, aromatic depth.
- Large shrimp (peeled and deveined): The star protein that cooks quickly and absorbs the flavors perfectly.
- Kosher salt and black pepper: For seasoning and balancing the dish.
- All-purpose flour: Thickens the shrimp sauce for a luscious coating.
- Chicken or seafood broth: Creates the flavorful base for the sauce.
- Juice of 1 lemon: Adds a bright, zesty freshness that lifts the entire recipe.
- Hot sauce: A splash of heat to balance the richness with a little kick.
How to Make Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe
Step 1: Make the Grits
Start by bringing your water to a boil in a large pot, adding salt to boost flavor. Slowly whisk in the grits to avoid lumps, then reduce the heat and simmer gently, stirring often so nothing sticks. This low and slow cooking creates grits that are tender, creamy, and downright dreamy. Finish by stirring in cream cheese and butter chunks until melted, turning your grits into a rich and velvety bed for the shrimp.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
In a large skillet, crisp up the chopped bacon over medium heat until perfectly crunchy and golden. Scoop the bacon out and drain on paper towels, but don’t pour off all the bacon grease — leaving about two tablespoons in the pan will infuse the next steps with incredible flavor.
Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics
To the bacon grease, add thinly sliced green onions and cook gently until softened and sweet. Then toss in the minced garlic and cook just long enough for its fragrant aroma to fill your kitchen. These aromatics build a flavorful base that will beautifully complement the shrimp.
Step 4: Cook the Shrimp
Toss the peeled and deveined shrimp with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until they just turn pink, which usually takes about three minutes. Avoid overcooking for tender, juicy shrimp. Once done, transfer them alongside the bacon on a plate to rest.
Step 5: Make the Sauce
Whisk the flour into the chicken or seafood broth until smooth, then pour it into the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Bring the mixture to a simmer until it thickens to a deliciously silky sauce. Stir in fresh lemon juice and a few dashes of hot sauce to balance richness with brightness and a gentle spice. Return the shrimp and bacon to the pan, tossing everything to coat perfectly, then season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 6: Serve It Up
Spoon the creamy, buttery grits onto your plates first, then lavish the shrimp, bacon, and that luscious lemony sauce on top. Garnish as you please, and get ready to enjoy the comforting warmth and complex flavors of this soul-satisfying dish.
How to Serve Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh green onions sliced thinly add a crisp texture and vibrant color that brighten the dish visually and in flavor. A sprinkle of extra crispy bacon pieces brings a wonderful crunch, while a small drizzle of hot sauce on top can add a bit of heat, depending on your preference.
Side Dishes
To round out the meal, serve this dish with a simple green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette or roasted seasonal vegetables. A crisp white wine or a light beer pairs wonderfully here, balancing the creaminess of the grits and the savory shrimp.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving the shrimp and grits in individual cast iron skillets for a rustic touch, or layer them in pretty bowls with a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or chives to add an extra burst of color. For a brunch spin, top with a poached egg—its runny yolk cracks open a whole new layer of indulgence!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers of the Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe, store them in airtight containers in the fridge for up to two days. The flavors will meld even more, but make sure to keep shrimp and grits separate if possible to maintain texture.
Freezing
While grits freeze reasonably well, shrimp can become rubbery when frozen and thawed. For best results, freeze the grits and sauce separately from the shrimp and bacon. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and gently reheat on the stove.
Reheating
Reheat gently in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of water, broth, or cream to loosen up the grits if they’ve thickened too much. Stir constantly to prevent sticking, and avoid overheating the shrimp to keep them tender and juicy.
FAQs
Can I use instant grits for this recipe?
You can, but old fashioned grits provide a better texture and creaminess. Instant grits cook faster but tend to be less flavorful and sometimes a bit gummy.
What type of shrimp is best for this dish?
Large, peeled, and deveined shrimp work best because they cook quickly and hold their shape well, blending seamlessly with the sauce and grits.
Is there a substitute for cream cheese?
You could use mascarpone or a good-quality cream to add richness, but cream cheese helps give the grits a thicker, tangy creaminess that’s hard to replicate.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free cream cheese alternative and substitute butter with olive oil or a plant-based margarine for a dairy-free take on this luscious dish.
How spicy should the hot sauce be?
The hot sauce is optional and can be adjusted to your liking. A few dashes are enough to lift the flavors without overwhelming the shrimp and grits.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sitting down to a bowl of Creamy Shrimp and Grits with Bacon and Lemon Recipe that’s been made with love and care. The combination of bright lemon, smoky bacon, tender shrimp, and indulgent grits is pure magic. I hope this recipe inspires you to create a warming, flavorful meal that brings people together around the table. Give it a try and watch how fast it becomes a beloved favorite!
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 Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
A classic Southern comfort dish featuring creamy, cheesy grits topped with flavorful shrimp cooked in a zesty, buttery sauce with crispy bacon and fresh green onions. Perfect for a hearty breakfast, brunch, or dinner.
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 of salt to a boil. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of old fashioned grits to prevent lumps. Reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring frequently until grits are tender and creamy.
- Add Cream Cheese and Butter: 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 for a rich, creamy texture.
- Cook the Bacon: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 4 chopped bacon slices until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate, leaving about 2 tablespoons of bacon grease in the skillet. Save the remaining grease for later use.
- Sauté Green Onions and Garlic: Increase heat to medium-high, add 5 thinly sliced green onions to the skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Shrimp: Season 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Add shrimp to the skillet with bacon grease. Add additional bacon grease if needed. Cook shrimp for about 3 minutes until pink and almost done. Remove shrimp to the plate with bacon.
- Make the Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour into 1 cup of chicken or seafood broth. Pour into skillet, whisking to combine and scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until sauce thickens. Stir in juice of 1 lemon and a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Combine Shrimp and Sauce: Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet. Stir to coat shrimp in the thickened sauce. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve: Spoon the hot, creamy grits onto plates. Top with shrimp and sauce mixture. Garnish with crispy bacon pieces and additional sliced green onions if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Use old fashioned or stone-ground grits for best texture; instant grits will not yield the same creamy consistency.
- Feel free to substitute chicken broth with seafood broth for a more robust seafood flavor.
- Adjust hot sauce quantity to personal spice preferences.
- Leftover bacon grease can be stored and reused to add flavor to other dishes.
- For a dairy-free version, omit cream cheese and butter or use dairy-free alternatives.
