Cajun Shrimp and Grits
Published 2/21/2020 • Updated 8/19/2022
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This cajun shrimp and grits recipe is so delicious and easy to make! The cajun shrimp, grits, and refreshing coleslaw compliment each other perfectly. It makes a great weeknight dinner or meal prep for lunch!
The Perfect Meal Prep Meal
What makes a perfect meal prep meal? It is a meal that…- Is easy to make in bulk!
- Has a mixture of textures and flavors so you don’t get bored!
- Is balanced with protein, veggies, fiber, and more.!
- Keeps well in the refrigerator!
Shrimp is the New Chicken
Say goodbye to the chicken breast and hello to shrimp! Shrimp is a great protein option and we have jumped on the bandwagon! We have a variety of shrimp recipes on our site and adding this cajun shrimp recipe to the mix makes us very excited! We wanted this shrimp to taste like shrimp you would enjoy at a delicious cajun restaurant. Imagine yourself sitting on a patio, sun shining, with a cold beer (or ice water), enjoying this shrimp with a kick! We used our homemade cajun seasoning to season the shrimp. It is the perfect balance of spicy and sweet! After you season the shrimp, you give them a quick pan fry and they are ready! Here’s a tip–> The longer you let the raw shrimp sit in the cajun seasoning, the more flavorful the shrimp will be!
All About Grits
These delicious grits are made with 4 simple ingredients.- Cornmeal
- Broth
- Greek Yogurt
- Parmesan Cheese
Are Grits Gluten Free?
Yes, grits are made out of corn, not wheat! So for those of you who are gluten free, grits are a great side options for you!Can I make substitutions?
Feel free to make these grits your own! Though we used chicken broth, you can use any broth you’d like! You can also use water, your grits just won’t be as flavorful! We add Greek yogurt for tartness and it’s creaminess, but you can use a little heavy cream or skip it all together! As for the parmesan, you can use any type of cheese that you would like. It doesn’t have to be parmesan! Goat cheese or shredded cheddar cheese would also be delicious!How do I eat left over grits?
Left over grits tend to get super thick! All of the moisture is absorbed and you are left with a weird big clump! Have no fear, all you have to do is reheat the grits and add broth until it reaches it’s original consistency!Don’t forget the slaw!
Honestly, the slaw in this cajun shrimp and grits recipe is a must make! It is perfectly light and balances out the heaviness of the grits and the spice of the shrimp! We are also BIG fans of combining hot and cold in meals. The cold coleslaw is so good with the warmth of the other two parts of this meal! We make our slaw with our favorite kale slaw mix (we love this one). However, feel free to use a combination of chopped kale and red cabbage!
Healthy Shrimp Recipes
Cajun Shrimp and Grits
This cajun shrimp and grits recipe is so delicious and easy to make! The cajun shrimp, grits, and refreshing coleslaw compliment each other perfectly. It makes a great weeknight dinner or meal prep for lunch!
Ingredients
Cajun Shrimp
- 1 lb. jumbo shrimp, raw, deveined, and shucked
- 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pinch of salt
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
Polenta
- 4 cups organic chicken broth, or any kind of broth
- 1 1/4 cups whole grain cornmeal
- 1/4 cup whole milk plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Slaw
- 1 10-oz. bag slaw of choice, OR 1/2 purple cabbage, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro
- 1/2 medium red onion, sliced
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 medium limes, juiced
Instructions
- For the shrimp, place all ingredients (except for avocado oil) into a mixing bowl. Mix well and place into the refrigerator.
- Prepare the slaw by placing slaw of choice, cilantro, and purple onion into a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.
- Make dressing by whisking together honey, apple cider vinegar, and lime juice. Pour dressing over slaw and mix. Place in the refrigerator.
- Next, prepare the polenta by bringing broth to a boil in a medium-sized pot. Add whole grain cornmeal and reduce to simmer. Cook polenta for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove polenta from heat and add Greek yogurt and Parmesan. Mix well, cover with tin foil, and set aside.
- Finally, prepare shrimp by heating avocado oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- When avocado oil is fragrant, add shrimp and excess spices into the pan. Cook shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side*. Remove from heat.
- Evenly distribute the polenta, shrimp, and slaw into six bowls or containers. Enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- Shrimp cooks quickly. Be cognizant of how hot your pan is and how quickly shrimp may cook. Cook time varies by stove top.
Nutrition
Calories: 446 kcal, Carbohydrates: 47 g, Protein: 30 g, Fat: 14 g, Fiber: 9 g, Sugar: 14 g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Great work, Linley! How long should the raw prawns be allowed to soak up the cajun spice for optimal flavour?
Really love this. Thank you Linley.
Love this, Linley! How long do you recommend to let the raw shrimps sit in the cajun seasoning for better flavor?
Shrimp cooks rapidly. Be insightful of how hot your dish is and how rapidly shrimp might cook. Cook time differs by burner!