This Spicy Cajun Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Grits is an elevated southern classic! A simple dish that walks the line between fresh flavors and comforting richness – you’re gonna love it!
Cajun Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Grits
Bam… I woke up with a migraine and this time the nausea set in … never a good thing. The bad news is I had a 4:40am wakeup call to head out to Kansas City, so I had to put on my big girl pants. Suck it up and get out the door.
Good news is I am going to Kansas City for the Chopped Conference. I went to this conference last year and would say it was a game changer for me. I was blessed enough to talk to some amazing bloggers who have perfected the art of food blogging and was able to glean their wisdom as well as connect with them on a heart level! (my favorite)
Last year I was so nervous. I didn’t really know the people who were attending and I felt like a “small fish” in a sea of big fish. I mean seriously, Ali from Gimme Some Oven was there and so were Lindsay or Bjork from Pinch of Yum!! What?!? It totally took me out of my comfort zone.
Which I guess is a good thing because that’s where the growth occurs. If we stay in our comfy little square than we will never want to leave the cocoon, we’ll be too cozy to get up. Last year one of the biggest things I learned was to walk with confidence and to take one step at a time. I’m taking that with me this year and building upon it!
I cannot wait to learn new things AND to see my friends and give them a big hug. (like really give them a hug .. not the virtual hug I’ve been giving online) Hurray!
So before I head out for the weekend let me leave you with a tasty recipe, this Cajun Shrimp and Grits!
Even though I live in the south, the whole grits thing kinda grossed me out. First off, it was bland as all get out, I mean people have you heard of salt!?! And the texture was just straight up mush. Gross! I was on mission to transform this bland dish to something outrageously delicious.
I think I’ve succeeded!
These Cajun Shrimp are covered in a homemade spice blend then sautéd in a little bit of butter and topped with fresh thyme. Then they are placed on top of some creamy grits that are infused with Smoked Gouda Cheese and then finished off with a little bit of crispy bacon (because a little bacon never hurt anyone) and sweet roasted red pepper to even out the dish. This is the ultimate southern recipe that I know you’re family will adore! Plus it’s on your table in less than 30! Woot woot!
Bon Appetite my friends!
Cajun Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Grits
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stove
- Cuisine: Seafood
Description
This Spicy Cajun Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Grits is an elevated southern classic! A simple dish that walks the line between fresh flavors and comforting richness – you’re gonna love it!
Ingredients
- 4 strips of applewood smoked bacon, diced
- 1/2 lb. jumbo shrimp, deveined and peeled
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- juice of half a lemon (2 tablespoons)
- 1 teaspoon diced fresh thyme
- 1/3 cup roasted red pepper, diced
- 1/4 cup green onions, diced
- 1/2 cup quick cooking grits
- 2 cups water
- 3/4 cup grated smoked gouda cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to season
Instructions
- Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. Add diced bacon and cook until crispy, about 4-6 minutes. Remove and place bacon on a paper towel lined plated. Set aside.
- To make the cajun shrimp: add smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and chipotle chili powder to a medium bowl. Mix and add shrimp to the bowl with the spice mixture, toss to coat the shrimp in the mixture.
- Heat a medium skillet to medium high heat. Add butter to the skillet, once melted add seasoned shrimp. Make sure the shrimp is in a single layer in the skillet. Saute shrimp on one side for 2-3 minutes, flip and cook an additional 1-2 minutes. Add lemon juice, fresh thyme, roasted red pepper, and bacon. Saute for 30 seconds, sitr and remove from heat.
- To make the Smoked Gouda Grits: add water to a sauce pan and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in the grits. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and let cook for 5-7 minutes stirring throughout until the grits are thick. Add in the cheese, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, and salt to taste. Continue to stir until the cheese is melted.
- Evenly divide grits and shrimp mixture among 4 dishes. Serve.
- Serve.
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IF YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE, BE SURE TO SNAP A PIC AND HASHTAG IT #JOYFULHEALTHYEATS. I LOVE SEEING WHAT YOU MAKE!
Want More Seafood Recipes?
Panko Crusted Tilapia with Tomato Basil Sauce
26 comments on “Cajun Shrimp with Smoked Gouda Grits”
Changes…no peppers. Use chicken broth for grits. Add smoked gouda and cheddar. Add cream or half n half to grits and a little to shrimp after cooking. Add chives or green onions, and parsley. Delicious!
Love your additions. I love when you make a recipe your own!
Just finished eating this for dinner and it was really, REALLY good. Flavor bomb. I didn’t weigh out my shrimp but I’m sure it was more than 1/2 lb. I marinated shrimp in spices and used polenta in place of the grits keeping everything else the same. My only side note would be that my husband and I easily ate all of it and I didn’t take a large serving. I can’t see how this would feed 4, but maybe we are just pigs. This one is going in my “good enough for guests” folder. Thank you!
Hurray! So glad to hear you liked it, the flavors are awesome in this. Love that you swapped out the grits with the polenta. As far as the serving size, I wonder if the polenta wasn’t as “runny” at the grits, if the polenta seized up that would cause the servings to decrease. We did about 4 shrimp per person and then 3/4 cup of grits. Hope that helps. 🙂
I big puffy hearted seeing you this weekend!!!! I wish it wasn’t so far and few between our times! And these grits…swoon! You know my love of cheesy grits!
I loved seeing you too and your adorable house..you have mad decorating skills!
These pictures are seriously BEYOND!!! I can’t wait to make this!
eeeekk… thanks sweet friend! 🙂
This just made it on to the dinner menu this week Krista! Had me at cajun…then shrimp…then gouda 🙂
haha… hurray! You and the fam will love it Trish! Yeah for all things yummy!
Wow….just WOW! This recipe sounds absolutely amazing, pinned and definitely trying.
Woohoo! Thanks a bunch Eric. Always appreciate the share love and it means the world when people like my recipes! 🙂
I love anything with shrimp! And this looks perfect to me! Can’t wait to try it!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you so much Andi!
Ahem. You almost had me hooked, but then where do I go to buy a grit cooking mix in beijing China?
hmm… not sure about Beijing, never been there. Could you buy it on the Chinese version of ebay or amazon? I know a friend of mine does that and she can get peanut and things like that. 🙂 Hope that helps Carsten!
OHMYGOD. I want approximately 328123890.192 bowls of this right now. This looks all kinds of amazing!
hahaha.. thanks Des! It is all kinds of amazing!
Grits scare me, but I really do love gouda and that shrimp looks amazing! I hope you have a great time at Chopped! If it weren’t my little one’s birthday, I’d be right there with ya!
Ohh.. I miss you Tanya, it’s been sooooo long since we’ve seen each other. Hopefully soon we’ll get to hang out again. 🙂
PS don’t be scared of grits, easy peasy just need to add some flavor to spice it up a bit. 🙂
Those smoked gouda grits sound unreal! I bet it pairs so nicely with the shrimp!
the combo is unbelievable! WE love it!
How fun! I know a bunch of bloggers who are there this weekend and I so wish I could’ve made it! But, I am so glad you shared this meal before you left, because, whoa, it looks amazing!
Ohhh.. so fun Michelle. Maybe you’ll be able to come next time! 🙂
A thousand times yes!! Love the smoked gouda in these grits and the shrimp sound awesome!
Thank you so much Kimberly, you are too sweet!