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This is the Black folks’ shrimp and grits recipe you’ve been looking for! My easy recipe is the beloved Southern comfort food shared nearly 10,000 times online!

It’s an African-American dish with all the creamy, saucy seafood goodness. It features a rich and flavorful Creole sauce generously drizzled over a warm bed of the fluffiest grits, complemented by succulent, jumbo garlic-butter seasoned shrimp to keep things interesting.

What Is Black Folks Southern Shrimp And Grits?

Soul food origin of shrimp and grits

Shrimp and grits, a staple of soul food cuisine, originated with the Gullah Geechee people, descendants of the Central and West African ancestors enslaved in the coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia. Creole cuisine and Low Country cooking have further influenced the dish, evolving into a beloved breakfast favorite across Charleston and New Orleans.

This dish has a rich history that spans centuries while still being an essential part of the African American community. A traditional Black folks’ shrimp and grits recipe stands out, featuring a fluffy bed of grits, incredible seafood, and a flavorful sauce bursting with the savory deliciousness of soul food. It serves as a testament to the resilience of Black people, ingenuity, and skillful blending of local seafood with the hearty, comforting base of Southern staple grits.

Black Folks Southern Shrimp And Grits Ingredients

What you need

This iconic Southern shrimp delicacy features creamy grits, a delicious savory sauce, and well-seasoned, succulent shrimp. The recipe uses a variety of savory seasonings that create an amazing flavor profile, delighting your taste buds while honoring a rich soul food tradition.

Shrimp seasonings – The shrimp are generously seasoned with garlic, butter, salt, and pepper—not just thrown on top without care.
Savory sauce – This is the key component of the dish, made from scratch with heavy whipping cream and a mix of flavorful seasonings, including chicken bouillon, garlic, smoked paprika, chili powder, and cayenne pepper.
Grits – A staple in Southern homes, this recipe produces an exceptionally fluffy version of Southern-style grits. Coarsely ground white corn grits absorb the broth, becoming creamy and delicious, enhanced by savory mascarpone cheese.

Shrimp and grits cream sauce

The secret ingredient of a Black folks ‘shrimp and grits recipe is the Southern Creole sauce! Typical of soul food cooking, the seasonings make each dish unique. The standout feature of this recipe is the creamy Creole sauce infused with garlic, smoked paprika, and chili powder. This combination makes each flavorful bite a celebration of African American culture!

How to make shrimp and grits the Black way

The from-scratch preparation of shrimp and grits is deeply ingrained in soul food cooking. It yields a culinary tradition passed down through generations of Black chefs. To make shrimp and grits the Black folks’ way, simply prepare seasoned shrimp, fluffy grits made from white corn, and a rich, cream-based Creole sauce. Finally, use a cast-iron skillet to combine and warm the shrimp and grits, allowing them to be smothered in the savory sauce.

Sauté the shrimp in oil with the seasonings.
Boil the grits, then stir in the mascarpone cheese until well combined.
Simmer the heavy whipping cream with the spices to create the flavorful Creole sauce.
Combine the shrimp and grits in a large cast iron skillet, then generously smother the dish with the savory sauce to warm it up before serving.

🎙 Listen to the recipe on The Soul Food Pod episode: Black Folks Southern Shrimp And Grits Recipe

Getting the perfect grits texture

To make the best grits that are soft and fluffy, aim for a texture that is not hard on the outside but also not mushy. I recommend using 100% white corn or yellow corn grits. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill creamy white corn grits.

Here’s my pro tip for perfect grits: when it’s time to add the grits to the skillet, mix in ¼ to ½ cup of heavy whipping cream to loosen the mixture. The key to thickening grits is mastering the precise timing and temperature during cooking. Alternatively, you can simply follow the steps in this recipe! Or use my easy drop-in-the-pot Instant Pot shrimp and grits recipe! You want the grits to thicken naturally without any additional assistance.

Serving authentic shrimp and grits

Whether for dinner, breakfast, brunch, or any time of day, this shrimp and grits recipe makes a delightful meal you won’t want to miss! It’s a classic Southern dish that can stand alone without needing a side, often garnished with crumbled bacon bits for added texture and flavor.

For an authentic Southern experience, consider pairing this dish with soul food favorites such as black-eyed peas and Southern soul food cornbread. And for dessert, you can’t go wrong with homemade Southern bread pudding!