Southern Comfort Shrimp Grits Corn Salsa (Printable)

Creamy grits topped with Cajun-spiced shrimp and fresh corn salsa for a vibrant Southern-inspired meal.

# Components:

→ Shrimp

01 - 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 2 teaspoons Cajun seasoning
04 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - Juice of 1/2 lemon

→ Grits

09 - 1 cup stone-ground grits
10 - 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
11 - 1 cup whole milk
12 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
13 - 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Chaos Corn Salsa

16 - 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels, thawed if frozen
17 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced
18 - 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
19 - 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and minced
20 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
21 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
22 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
23 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
24 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Method:

01 - In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and whole milk to a gentle boil over medium heat. Gradually whisk in stone-ground grits to avoid clumping. Reduce heat to low and stir frequently for 20 to 25 minutes until the mixture is thick and creamy. Incorporate unsalted butter, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, salt, and black pepper. Maintain warmth and stir occasionally until ready to serve.
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine corn kernels, diced cherry tomatoes, finely chopped red onion, minced jalapeño, chopped cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly and allow flavors to meld while preparing the other components.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. In a bowl, toss shrimp with Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic until fully coated. Arrange shrimp in a single layer in the heated skillet and cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until pink and opaque. Remove from heat, squeeze lemon juice over shrimp, and toss to distribute evenly.
04 - Ladle hot grits into serving bowls or plates. Arrange Cajun shrimp on top of the grits, then generously spoon chaos corn salsa over the shrimp. Serve immediately while hot and vibrant.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses basic pantry and fresh ingredients for maximum flavor
  • Balances creamy, spicy, and tangy elements in each bite
  • Ready in under one hour and entirely gluten free
  • Customizable with your choice of cheeses or salsa heat level
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber thanks to shrimp and grits
  • Gluten free making it safe for sensitive eaters
  • Adaptable to spice preference and seasonal produce
03 -
  • When making grits stir constantly and do not raise the heat too high This prevents scorching
  • Taste your salsa after it sits and adjust lime or salt as needed
  • For quickest prep use already peeled shrimp and pre shredded cheese but flavor is best when you do it by hand

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