Cheesy Gluten Free Shrimp and Grits is an easy weeknight meal, full of flavor and creamy cheese — and yes, there’s bacon!
This post contains affiliate references. Some ingredients came from an American Gluten Free subscription box I received.
Cheesy Gluten Free Shrimp and Grits
I grew up loving cheese grits — they’re a Southern comfort food that’s stayed with me. While fried fish and cheese grits are a classic pairing in my family, this time I wanted to make a cozy version with shrimp and plenty of cheddar. When I opened this month’s American Gluten Free box and found rice grits, I knew shrimp and grits would be perfect. With Pamela’s cornbread mix on hand, it turned into a complete, comforting meal.
These rice-based grits were different from the corn grits I usually buy, but they proved to be wonderfully creamy. The Delta Blues Rice Grits included in the box cooked up rich and smooth, and it was a treat to try a product made from American-grown rice. Since my family eats a lot of rice, finding a local option was exciting.
One of the benefits of getting the American Gluten Free box is discovering brands I might not have tried otherwise. The variety sparks new ideas in the kitchen and introduced me to grits made from rice that still deliver that comforting texture I love.
Quick and Easy
These Cheesy Gluten Free Shrimp and Grits come together quickly. The grits take about 20 minutes to cook — similar to rice — and shrimp only need a few minutes on the stove. The corn muffins I served alongside finished in roughly the same time, making this a practical weeknight dinner.
And yes, there’s bacon. I find bacon adds a salty, crunchy contrast that elevates the dish. It also helps when little ones turn up their nose at shrimp: my toddler prefers the bacon and cheese grits, which keeps dinner pleasant for everyone.
This recipe isn’t strictly traditional, but it’s comforting, flavorful, and approachable. The rice grits make it a great option for anyone who can’t eat corn but still wants that creamy grits experience.
If you enjoy rice dishes, you might like my Peruvian Arroz con Pollo — another family favorite packed with flavor.
Happy gluten-free cooking!
Print Recipe
Cheesy Gluten Free Shrimp and Grits
Ingredients
Cheese Grits
- 1 cups grits I used rice grits, but corn grits work too
- 1 cup gluten free chicken broth
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Shrimp
- 2 pieces bacon cut into pieces
- 1 pound shrimp peeled and deveined
- 2 teaspoons gluten free Cajun seasoning
- 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon butter
Instructions
Cheese Grits
- Combine the grits, chicken broth, milk, butter and salt in a small pot — do not add the cheese yet.
- Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to combine.
- Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20 minutes until thickened.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the shredded cheddar until melted and smooth.
Shrimp
- Zest the lemon until you have about 1/2 teaspoon of zest.
- Sprinkle the lemon zest and Cajun seasoning over the shrimp and set aside.
- Cook the bacon in a skillet until crispy. Remove the bacon and leave the rendered fat in the pan.
- Add the seasoned shrimp to the hot pan and cook about 2 minutes per side over medium heat.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the shrimp, toss, and cook until shrimp are opaque and cooked through.
- Remove the shrimp from the pan, turn off the heat, and add 1 tablespoon butter to the pan. Let it melt with any remaining lemon juice and seasonings.
- Return the shrimp to the pan and toss to coat in the buttery lemon sauce.
Serving
- Spoon the cheese grits into bowls and top with the shrimp and crispy bacon. Serve immediately.