If you grew up on soul food cooking or grew up in the South, then you already know that grits are a staple in most Southern homes.
And if you’re looking for a fantastic meal that boasts Southern comfort food with an extreme infusion of soul food flavors…
Then this Black folks Southern shrimp and grits recipe is what you’ve been searching for!
What is Black folks Southern shrimp and grits?
Southern shrimp and grits is an African-American dish that has all the creamy, saucy, and seafood goodness with the perfect Southern Creole seasoning to keep things interesting.
It’s served over white corn grits laced with the perfect blend of mascarpone cheese. Followed by a creamy sauce infused with smoked paprika and chili powder, this Southern shrimp delicacy offers a variety of flavors that will set your stomach ablaze!
You’ll find this fluffy bed of grits with incredible seafood components and a flavorful sauce full of soul food deliciousness.
Shrimp and grits is an enticing meal, whether it’s dinner, breakfast, brunch, or any time to eat throughout the day!
Is shrimp and grits an African dish?
Yes, shrimp and grit originated in Africa as a dish made of ground maize and shellfish. The dish migrated with enslaved Africans to Southern plantation kitchens in the American South.
What state is known for shrimp and grits?
Louisiana is the state known for its delicious seafood, and shrimp and grits are no exception!
And if you didn’t know – you betta ask somebody!
Black folks shrimp and grits originated in South Carolina like many foods created by enslaved Black people, highlighted in the Netflix soul food docu-series High On The Hog.
Southern shrimp and grits then made its way to Louisiana. It’s a hearty meal easy to make and full of flavor.
Like gumbo, shrimp and grits is one of the most iconic dishes in Louisiana and New Orleans (aka, Nawlins) – The Big Easy.
How do you make Black folks Southern shrimp and grits?
The secret ingredient to Black folks shrimp and grits is the Southern Creole sauce! Typical to soul food and Black folks cooking, the seasonings make each recipe like none other.
(It’s gotta be the sauce!)
Simply prepare jumbo shrimp, white-corn fluffy grits, and the cream-based, highly seasoned Creole sauce to make this classic dish.
Use a cast-iron skillet to warm the shrimp and grits smothered in the decadence of the Creole sauce. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve right away.
Kitchen equipment for Black folks’ shrimp and grits
Shop my kitchenware!
Instant Pot Duo Nova | Amazon 10-inch cast iron skillet | Instant Pot Omni Plus oven | The Pioneer Woman Instant Pot | The Pioneer Woman measuring bowls | Pyrex glass measuring cup | MacKenzie-Childs similar tea towel | Amazon small rubber spatula | Amazon similar colander | Kate Aspen heart-shaped measuring spoons |
Black folks Southern shrimp and grits recipe
Ingredients for the shrimp
- 2 pounds of jumbo shrimp (frozen or thawed, peeled and deveined)
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ teaspoon of avocado oil or spray
- 1 tablespoon of butter, unsalted
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
Ingredients for the grits
- 1 cup of white corn grits
- 2 ½ cups of chicken broth
- ½ cup of heavy whipping cream (and another ½ a cup on reserve in case it’s needed at the end)
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 3 tablespoons of butter
- ¼ cup of mascarpone cheese
Ingredients for the creamy shrimp and grits sauce
- 2 cups of heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon of chili powder
- 1 tablespoon of garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon of chicken bouillon, granulated
- ⅓ cup of fresh parsley, finely chopped
How to make Black folks shrimp and grits
Instructions for the shrimp
- Remove the Instant Pot lid and turn on the sauté setting for 5 minutes. (Although you will not use all of this time. I like to have the extra minutes for the time it takes for the sauté to become active.)
- With the lid off the pot, heat the water, avocado oil, and butter in the stainless-steel inner pot for up to 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Cancel the sauté setting and close the Instant Pot lid.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 1 minute.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 2 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Use a colander to drain the liquid from the cooked shrimp and set the shrimp aside to add to the grits later.
To prepare shrimp on the stovetop – Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the shrimp with the seasoning ingredients for about 4 minutes until they turn pink.
Instructions for the grits
- Open the Instant Pot lid and add the chicken broth, grits, salt, and butter to the stainless-steel inner pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 5 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream.
- Stir the grits to combine the ingredients.
- Add the mascarpone cheese and continue stirring.
- Remove the stainless-steel inner pot with the grits inside so they don’t dry out.
- Cover the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot with the Instant Pot lid to keep the grits warm while off of the Instant Pot burner.
Pro tip: When it’s time to add the grits to the skillet, you can mix in ¼ – ½ a cup of heavy whipping cream to loosen them.
To prepare the grits on the stovetop – In a large saucepan, bring the whipping cream and salt to a boil, then stir in the grits. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, fold in the mascarpone cheese.
Instructions for the Southern shrimp and grits sauce
- You may need to transfer the grits to the skillet at this point if you only have one Instant Pot because you will need to use the stainless-steel inner pot for the sauce.
- Add the heavy whipping cream, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chicken bouillon to the empty Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Turn on the sauté setting for 10 minutes. (Although you will not use all of this time. I like to have the extra minutes for the time it takes for the sauté to become active.)
- All the sauté to come to a boil and let boil for about 3-5 minutes.
- Cancel the sauté setting and stir in the parsley.
- Remove the shrimp and grits sauce in the stainless-steel inner pot from the Instant Pot burner.
Pro tip: While the sauce is boiling, keep watch of it and occasionally stir to avoid overcooking and burning.
Preparing the sauce on the stovetop – In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together the whipping cream and spices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
Instructions for setting up Black folks’ Southern shrimp and grits
- Add the grits to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
- Optional: you can mix in ¼ – ½ a cup of heavy whipping cream to loosen the grits if needed.
- Place the cooked shrimp on the grits.
- Then pour the sauce over the shrimp and grits.
- Heat the skillet with the shrimp and grits in the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven on the ‘warm’ setting for 5-7 minutes or 5 minutes in the conventional oven on the ‘warm’ setting or 150 degrees F.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, serve Black folks’ shrimp and grits right away, and enjoy!
What do you serve with Black folks Southern shrimp and grits?
From Mardi Gras to Christmas brunch, or New Year’s dinner, shrimp and grits is a classic Southern dish that holds its own.
When paired, it’s usually served with bread like Black folks homemade cornbread or a light vegetable side dish to balance this hearty, saucy meal.
For an authentic taste of the South, consider serving your shrimp and grits with vegetables that work well as side dishes, like Southern green beans, Southern creamed corn, Instant Pot carrots, Instant Pot Jamaican cabbage, or Black folks Southern fried cabbage.
Many Black folks add hot sauce as a condiment for added heat.
And for dessert?
Black folks Southern shrimp and grits FAQs
What is the best shrimp to use?
When purchasing shrimp to make shrimp and grits, choose jumbo-sized ones because the shrimp are the shining stars on top of this creamy, fluffy dish!
Can you use frozen shrimp for this Southern shrimp and grits recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen shrimp, fresh shrimp, or raw shrimp already thawed.
It’s best if the shrimp is not pre-cooked.
How do you peel and devein shrimp?
It’s not the most glamorous task, but it sure is satisfying once you get through all those pesky shells. Peeling and deveining shrimp is not as hard as it might seem. You will need a small, sharp knife or kitchen shears to cut the shell off of the shrimp’s back, then make a shallow incision along the inside curve of the shrimp’s outer edge.
You can also buy shrimp that’s already peeled and deveined like I did to avoid this pesky task!
What is Creole sauce?
Creole sauce is used in Black folks shrimp and grits. It’s a type of creamy sauce that originated from Black folks in Louisiana.
It’s made with Caribbean spices, Cajun seasoning, and chicken bouillon. Some folks include a tomato base.
Creole sauce can also include butter, bacon fat, or andouille sausage for added flavor.
Consider also serving Creole sauce as a savory accompaniment over rice or as a dipping sauce for seafood.
What do grits taste like?
This recipe is made with 100% white ground corn. It’s similar to the taste of cornmeal that’s been cooked just right to get the most creamy grits with a soft texture.
Grits are often served with butter, cheese, and salt for breakfast or with seafood for dinner. Of course, grits can be eaten by themselves as well (i.e., cheesy grits).
The best grits are not hard on the outside – but not mushy either! Instant Pot pressure cooking makes this possible with ease.
What are grits made of?
Grits are made from corn that has been soaked in water and then ground into a coarse meal.
Next, the grits are pressure-cooked with boiling water or chicken broth until they reach a soft and fluffy consistency.
Grits can be served alone or mixed with other ingredients, such as butter, cheese, bacon, eggs, and green onions.
Can you use quick-cooking grits for this Southern shrimp and grits recipe?
Yes, but the best grits that are both soft and fluffy are 100% white corn or yellow corn grits.
This recipe calls for white corn grits.
How do you thicken grits?
The best way to thicken grits is to simply learn the precise timing and temperature needed to cook them. You want grits to thicken up on their own without any outside help.
How do you make creamy grits?
I like using an Instant Pot when cooking this shrimp and grits recipe because it makes the cooking time and temperature for rice, grains, porridge, and grits easy and effortless. It’s just a drop in the pot for soft fluffy grits every time!
The brand of grits I like to use and recommend is Bob’s Red Mill white corn grits/polenta.
Adding other ingredients such as milk or flour in an attempt to thicken grits takes away from the taste and quality necessary when making this Southern signature dish.
Adding an egg to grits will also give them a thicker texture in no time – but is only recommended when serving breakfast grits and not shrimp and grits.
What do you think of this Blak folks Southern shrimp and grits recipe?
This recipe will leave everyone happy at any dinner table. Plus, it’s pretty straightforward and simple to make.
Don’t hesitate to give this Southern Creole soul food recipe a try!
And if you like this recipe, you’ll love these best Southern soul food cornbread recipe roundup ideas HERE.
Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below.
Share your finished Southern soul food pictures HERE in the Facebook group!
More Black folks recipes to love:
Like this post? Pin the below picture to your “Soul Food Recipes” Pinterest Board!
Equipment
- Instant Pot electric pressure cooker
- Instant Pot Omni Plus oven
- 10-inch cast iron skillet
Ingredients
Ingredients for the shrimp
- 2 pounds shrimp jumbo, frozen or thawed, peeled and deveined
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon avocado oil or cooking spray
- 1 tablespoon butter unsalted
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Ingredients for the grits
- 1 cup corn grits white
- 2 ½ cups chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream and another ½ a cup on reserve in case it’s needed at the end
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons butter
- ¼ cup mascarpone cheese
Ingredients for the creamy shrimp and grits Creole sauce
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granulated
- ⅓ cup fresh parsley finely chopped
Instructions
Instructions for the shrimp
- Remove the Instant Pot lid and turn on the sauté setting for 5 minutes. (Although you will not use all of this time. I like to have the extra minutes for the time it takes for the sauté to become active.)
- With the lid off the pot, heat the water, avocado oil, and butter in the stainless-steel inner pot for up to 1 minute.
- Add the shrimp, garlic, salt, and pepper.
- Cancel the sauté setting and close the Instant Pot lid.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 1 minute.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 2 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Use a colander to drain the liquid from the cooked shrimp and set the shrimp aside to add to the grits later.
- *To prepare shrimp on the stovetop – Heat the butter and oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and sauté the shrimp with the seasoning ingredients for about 4 minutes until they turn pink.
Instructions for the grits
- Open the Instant Pot lid and add the chicken broth, grits, salt, and butter to the stainless-steel inner pot.
- Close the Instant Pot lid (make sure the valve is up – in the position for sealing) and pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
- When the cooking time is finished, allow a natural pressure release for at least 5 minutes.
- To open the Instant Pot lid, move the valve to ‘venting’ and manually release any remaining pressure, if applicable.
- Pour in the heavy whipping cream.
- Stir the grits to combine the ingredients.
- Add the mascarpone cheese and continue stirring.
- Remove the stainless-steel inner pot with the grits inside so they don’t dry out.
- Cover the Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot with the Instant Pot lid to keep the grits warm while off of the Instant Pot burner.
- *To prepare the grits on the stovetop – In a large saucepan, bring the whipping cream and salt to a boil, then stir in the grits. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cover, stirring occasionally. After 5 minutes, fold in the mascarpone cheese.
Instructions for the Southern shrimp and grits sauce
- (You may need to transfer the grits to the skillet at this point if you only have one Instant Pot because you will need to use the stainless-steel inner pot for the sauce.)
- Add the heavy whipping cream, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and chicken bouillon to the empty Instant Pot stainless steel inner pot.
- Turn on the sauté setting for 10 minutes. (Although you will not use all of this time. I like to have the extra minutes for the time it takes for the sauté to become active.)
- All the sauté to come to a boil and let boil for about 3-5 minutes.
- Cancel the sauté setting and stir in the parsley.
- Remove the shrimp and grits sauce in the stainless-steel inner pot from the Instant Pot burner.
- While the sauce is boiling, keep watch of it and occasionally stir to avoid overcooking and burning.
- *Preparing the sauce on the stovetop – In a medium-sized saucepan, stir together the whipping cream and spices and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
Instructions for setting up Black folks’ Southern shrimp and grits
- Add the grits to a 10-inch cast-iron skillet.
- Optional: you can mix in 1/4 – 1/2 a cup of heavy whipping cream to loosen the grits if needed.
- Place the cooked shrimp on the grits.
- Then pour the sauce over the shrimp and grits.
- Heat the skillet with the shrimp and grits in the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven on the ‘warm’ setting for 5-7 minutes or 5 minutes in the conventional oven on the ‘warm’ setting or 150 degrees F.
- Remove the skillet from the oven, serve Black folks’ shrimp and grits right away, and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- While the sauce is boiling, keep watch of it and occasionally stir to avoid overcooking and burning.
- The brand of grits I like to use and recommend is Bob's Red Mill white corn grits/polenta.
OMG! This looks soooooooooo good!
Author
I tastes even better! 😉
Looks delicious!
I’ve never made grits before but now I have to, this looks so good
Author
Best grits ever!
My mom’s fave!
I don’t understand how grits sort of got a low reputation, lol. I love grits. I mean, they basically take on the taste of whatever you cook with them, like rice. Maybe people who have never tried them think they must taste like grit, lol?? Shrimp & grits is amazing.
Author
Yes – and I’ve found the best grits are made in the Instant Pot!
Great story. Of course the real history is that maize – corn – was exclusive to the Americas – Central America, specifically; and not used by European-Africans until the 15th century. Africans were eating different grains at the time they arrived the America’s, but were certainly introduced to corn upon arrival.
I’m fairly certain instapots weren’t brought from the old country, either.
Africans were also eating Maize prior to the 15th century. Primarily due to the fact that African Moors were seafarers and had already been to the Americas.
This recipe is slamming though! Oh, I hope you’ve tried it! It’s my go to!
Author
I’m flattered, Tiffany. Thanks so much for coming back to share how this recipe worked out for you!
I’ve never tried grits before, but now I have to!
Author
Definitely try them! (Can’t believe you’ve never had grits – no worries, tho)! Use an Instant Pot to make them so you have the best Southern grits experience for your first try!
Looks ok but seafood nope I do not like it . BUT the recipe I shall give to my mom she would like this
Author
Thank you kindly for sharing!
Yum!
interesting
I love shrimp…
but I never tried Shrimp And Grits
Author
With Black folks shrimp and grits, it’s the sauce that makes this dish something to sing about!
This was delicious! My whole family loved it. I can’t wait to try more of your recipes. I can’t believe I made something so tastes so QUICK!
Author
I’m so happy this soul food shrimp and grits recipe turned out beautifully, tasty and the best part – EASY for you!! Thanks for coming back to share.
Maybe my English tastes & maybe the grits we get here are different. Maybe I need some black folks to cook this for me as maybe it’s me. I want to love it!
I think this recipe looks great! I also like to add some cold, diced tomatoes to finish mine off on top. The one thing I saw that was out of place. Grits are from Native Americans, so Africa had nothing to do with the dish. Slaves did make their own of the dish, which is what we know and love today. Lowcountry food is my lifeblood, so I just want everyone to be informed on the real.
Can you make this without an Insta pot?
Author
Thanks for asking, and yes! The recipe instructions include how to prepare Southern shrimp & grits on the stovetop.