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A blue bowl of shrimp and grits.

Cajun Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Andouille Sausage

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  • Author: Louisiana Woman
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Main Dish, Seafood
  • Method: Simmer
  • Cuisine: Cajun

Description

This classic Southern dish packs a lot of flavor into succulent shrimp over creamy grits.


Ingredients

Units Scale

Grits

  • 3/4 cup stone-ground grits
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons salted butter

Shrimp

  • 1 1/2 pounds raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning, or more
  • 3 tablespoons bacon grease
  • 8 ounces andouille sausage, diced
  • 1 cup yellow onion, chopped
  • 1/2 cup celery, chopped
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • sliced green onions - for garnish.

Instructions

Grits

  1. Bring the chicken broth to a boil in a medium saucepan on medium-high heat.
  2. Add salt to the broth.
  3. Stir in the grits until they are smooth and lump-free, then return to a boil.
  4. Lower the heat to a simmer over medium heat and cook for 40 - 45 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat, stir in the cheese and butter, cover it, and set it aside.

Shrimp

  1. Check the shrimp for any remaining shells, then rinse and drain them in a colander.
  2. Season the shrimp with the Cajun seasoning, coating them evenly.
  3. Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons of bacon grease in a large skillet.
  4. Place the shrimp in a single layer in the pan of bacon grease and cook for about 2 minutes. Then, turn the shrimp over and cook for a few more minutes, or until the shrimp turn pink. Remove them from the skillet to a bowl to set aside.
  5. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of grease to the same skillet and heat until hot.
  6. Brown the sausage in the grease.
  7. Add the Cajun trinity of onions, celery, and bell peppers to the same pan with the sausage and cook until soft, stirring often.
  8. Stir the flour into the cooked vegetables and sausage.
  9. Stir in the broth slowly until there are no lumps from the flour, then add the cream and seasonings, stirring until thoroughly combined, and simmer for 10 minutes.
  10. Add shrimp and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes on medium-low heat.
  11. Adjust the seasoning if needed.
  12. Serve the flavorful shrimp and creamy sauce over hot cheese grits; garnish with sliced green onions, optional.


Notes

  • If you use shell-on shrimp, after peeling and deveining, be sure to pass your fingers through the uncooked shrimp to ensure they are free of shells and black veins. Rinse in cold water, drain, and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • For best results, keep a close eye on the shrimp while cooking so they do not overcook, or they will become tough and rubbery. If the shrimp are shaped like the letter "c", they are cooked. If they are shaped like a tight letter "o", they are overcooked.
  • Substitute vegetable oil or olive oil for bacon grease.
  • Add a little more broth if the grits are too thick.
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