Before Mardi Gras, I promised to give you all the recipe for my Shrimp and Grits. This is stupidly simple, and a really fast meal when I’ve forgotten to defrost anything for supper. I use frozen raw shrimp that will defrost in half an hour in a bowl of cool water, and quick cooking grits that are pretty much fool-proof.
Gather the ingredients, and do the prep work for your mis-en-place.
6 ounces raw shrimp (about 14 medium size), peeled and deveined
Sprinkle of lemon pepper
2 cups water
1/2 cup quick cooking grits
4 ounces Colby Jack cheese
1 green onion chopped
1 tablespoon butter
Prep shrimp, and cut in half crosswise into bite size pieces. Sprinkle with lemon pepper and set aside. Chop the green onion. Measure your water and grits.
Bring 2 cups of water to boil, and quickly stir in grits. Lower heat to medium, continuing to stir frequently. Cook grits about 3 minutes, or until grits begin to thicken. Add shrimp, and cook gently for 3-4 minutes until shrimp are pink and opaque, and grits are done. Don’t overcook.
Remove from heat, stir in cheese, onion and butter. Continue to gently stir until butter and cheese are melted and well incorporated.
Serve immediately. Add salt to taste at table. A fresh salad on the side makes a complete meal, and you have it on the table in under 20 minutes! I should have added just a sprinkle of cheese and a bit of green onion for garnish to make the picture prettier. But no matter, it was gone in a jiffy, too.
So there it is, fast and easy! What’s your favorite go-to quick meal from the freezer or the pantry?
From My Carolina Home 
Favorite last-minute meal has got to be pasta & jarred sauce, always on hand & done in 10 minutes. Faster than ordering take out.
I have often said shrimp and grits would be my favorite “last meal” — it’s just the best and we make it often. I think we once freaked out our Christmas dinner guests when we served shrimp and grits instead of a more traditional ham or turkey but they loved it. We usually use Bob’s Old Mill corn grits that are a bit more like polenta. I’ll have to try them with the Quaker or white grits. I haven’t seen Millville up here. Thanks, Carole!
I keep a bag of frozen pre-cooked meatballs in the freezer (these can be home made or from freezer section) marina sauce that I freeze each year from my tomatoes and pasta – takes about 20-30 minutes depending on how long you let it simmer – the sauce and meatballs thaw as it heats up
I love shrimp and grits!! My quick meal is Alfredo Chicken Chili and cornbread! Everything piled into the dutch oven from the pantry and fridge and then quick and easy homemade cornbread!! I usually let the chili simmer about an hour just to let the flavors come together more. Yum! I made it last night for supper and we will have it again today!
Love shrimp and grits and this is a quick and easy recipe. Thanks, Carole!
That is not fair asking me to discuss a favorite meal after you talk about shrimp and grits. Yum. I guess it would have to be soup. The potato, sausage, kale soup like at Olive Garden. Zuppa Toscana. Even if it is not quick. I could have 3 bowls and skip the main course. Now back to those shrimp and grits…
We’ve never been grits eaters at our house, but I ordered it once at a restaurant and it was delicious! I’ll have to try your recipe. We’ve been enjoying flatbread pizzas lately. Buy the flatbreads at the grocery store, jarred sauce, and then whatever toppings you like. They take about 1/2 hour from start to finish. (Baking is about 10 minutes.) We did this with our kids when they were home for Christmas and everyone made their own. It was fun!
Love shrimp and grits. Thank you for sharing such a quick and easy recipe.
Never before have I eaten grits. Guess it’s the Yankee in me. Looks like cream of wheat to me. I do love some shrimp though, but grilled is my favorite! Quick meal for us is a trip out to dinner when I have forgotten or don’t want to cook. We have a deli style restaurant 10 minutes away and my hubby will always go for the burger and I like the fish tacos. 🙂
We were in Georgetown the first time we had Shrimp and Grits. My hubby loved it!
Finally! A shrimp and grits recipe that won’t be too spicy for me to eat. Thank you, Carole!!
We love shrimp and grits. Your method is much quicker and easier than mine, so I shall do it your way next time. Thanks for this recipe.
I don’t like preparing shrimp, so typically buy pre-cooked frozen shrimp that only need heated. Use them a lot with pasta dishes. Grits are beginning to catch on up north; but generally still served in a nasty way for breakfast…I might like them better if served your way.
I have never been a grits fan, or oatmeal, or cream of wheat…even as a baby! Our favorite quick meal is green Chile beef burritos. We do the Chile beef in the crook pot and freeze it in portions, so it takes 5 minutes to make the burritos, then just pop them in the oven until the cheese melts. Nearly instant dinner. ☺️