Shrimp Grits With Corn Salsa (Printable)
Creamy cheddar grits with seasoned shrimp and zesty fresh corn salsa
# What You'll Need:
→ For the Grits
01 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
02 - 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
03 - 1 cup whole milk
04 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
05 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ For the Shrimp
08 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
09 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
10 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
13 - Salt and pepper to taste
14 - Juice of 1/2 lemon
→ For the Corn Salsa
15 - 1 cup fresh or thawed corn kernels
16 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
17 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely diced
18 - 1 jalapeño, seeded and diced
19 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
20 - Juice of 1 lime
21 - Salt and pepper to taste
# How to Cook:
01 - Bring water or broth and milk to a boil in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in grits, reduce heat to low, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently until thick and creamy. Remove from heat and stir in butter, cheddar cheese, salt, and pepper until smooth and well combined. Keep warm until serving.
02 - Combine corn kernels, diced cherry tomatoes, red onion, jalapeño, and chopped cilantro in a mixing bowl. Add fresh lime juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss thoroughly to combine all flavors. Set aside at room temperature to allow flavors to meld.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp, minced garlic, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 2-3 minutes per side until shrimp turn pink and opaque throughout. Drizzle with fresh lemon juice just before removing from heat.
04 - Spoon warm creamy grits into individual serving bowls. Arrange cooked shrimp on top of the grits and finish with a generous portion of corn salsa. Garnish with additional fresh cilantro if desired. Serve immediately while grits are still warm.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy grits and spicy shrimp create that perfect comfort food hug that still feels special enough for company
- Corn salsa cuts through the richness like a sunshiney surprise that nobody saw coming
02 -
- Grits will keep thickening as they sit, so if you're not serving immediately, stir in a splash more milk or water to loosen them up
- Don't crowd your shrimp in the pan or they'll steam instead of getting that gorgeous sear
03 -
- Taste your grits before serving, they almost always need more salt than you think
- If your shrimp are wet, pat them dry with paper towels before cooking for better browning