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Savory Blackened Cajun Shrimp with Creamy Cheese Grits

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A bold and comforting dish featuring blackened Cajun shrimp with a smoky crust paired with creamy, cheesy stone-ground grits. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or cozy brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (fresh or thawed frozen; wild-caught preferred)
  • 2 tablespoons paprika (smoked paprika preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for cooking)
  • 1 cup stone-ground grits (not instant)
  • 4 cups water or low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon salt (for grits)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream
  • Optional garnishes: chopped fresh parsley or chives, lemon wedges, hot sauce

Instructions

  1. Rinse the shrimp under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, oregano, cayenne, black pepper, and salt to create the blackened spice blend.
  3. Toss the shrimp in the seasoning until evenly coated and set aside for 5-10 minutes.
  4. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water or chicken broth to a boil. Add 1 teaspoon salt.
  5. Slowly whisk in 1 cup stone-ground grits, stirring constantly to prevent lumps.
  6. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer gently for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  7. While grits cook, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
  8. Add shrimp in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes per side until opaque with a dark, crispy crust. Remove from heat.
  9. Once grits are thick and creamy, stir in 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, and ½ cup milk or cream until cheese melts and grits are creamy.
  10. Taste and adjust salt if needed.
  11. Spoon creamy cheese grits onto plates or shallow bowls, top with blackened shrimp, and garnish with parsley or chives and a squeeze of lemon if desired.

Notes

Use stone-ground grits for best texture; avoid instant grits. Preheat cast iron skillet well for perfect blackened crust. Cook shrimp in batches to avoid overcrowding. Slow simmer grits and stir often to prevent lumps. Add cheese and cream off heat to keep grits velvety. Adjust cayenne pepper to control heat level.

Nutrition

Keywords: blackened shrimp, Cajun shrimp, cheese grits, creamy grits, Southern recipe, quick dinner, brunch recipe, spicy shrimp

Find it online: https://emmaoven.com/savory-blackened-cajun-shrimp-with-creamy-cheese-grits-recipe-easy-and-perfect/