Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style
Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style layers creamy, cheese-laced grits with juicy shrimp, smoky andouille, and crisp bacon in a velvety, roux-thickened sauce. Bright lemon and a hint of cayenne cut through the richness, while bell peppers add sweetness and color. It’s an inviting centerpiece for a relaxed weekend dinner or a special brunch with friends.
- Prep30 mins
- Cook45 mins
- Serves8
- DifficultyMedium
easyChef Pro health score
Calculated from USDA-referenced nutrient data for the ingredients in Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style, not estimated by an AI model. The same recipe returns the same score every time.
- Glycemic ImpactFair
- 48 / 100
- Carb quality, not quantity. Higher is better.
- Nutritional DensityPoor
- 10 / 100
- Nutrients per calorie. Higher is better.
- Energy DensityGood
- 90 / 100
- Calories by weight. Higher means more food for fewer calories.
- NOVA Processed Culinary Ingredients
- 2 / 4
- Processing level, 1 (whole) to 4 (ultra-processed). Lower is better.
How it scores for each health goal
The same recipe scores differently against different goals, because the goal changes the calculation rather than filtering a list. Set your goal in easyChef Pro and every recipe is scored against it.
- 23
- Heart Health
- 42
- Metabolic
- 38
- Digestive
- 22
- Inflammatory
- 51
- Performance
- 45
- General Wellness
- 1
Assemble all ingredients. Bring water and 2 teaspoons of salt to a boil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.
- 2
Whisk the grits into the boiling water, then whisk in the half-and-half. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the grits are thick and tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Set aside and keep warm.
- 3
Season the shrimp with salt and cayenne pepper. Add the lemon juice, toss to combine, and set aside to marinate.
- 4
Add the sausage slices to a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the sausage from the skillet.
- 5
Add the bacon to the same skillet. Cook over medium-high heat until evenly browned, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the bacon to paper towels to drain, then chop or crumble when cool enough to handle. Leave the bacon drippings in the skillet.
- 6
Add the bell peppers, onion, and garlic to the bacon drippings; cook and stir until the onion is translucent, about 8 minutes.
- 7
Stir the cooked sausage and marinated shrimp into the skillet with the cooked vegetables. Turn off the heat and set aside.
- 8
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour, stirring to make a smooth roux. Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture turns golden brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully, as it burns easily.
- 9
Pour the roux over the sausage, shrimp, and vegetables.
- 10
Set the skillet over medium heat, add the chicken broth, bacon, and Worcestershire sauce, and stir to combine. Cook until the sauce thickens and the shrimp turn opaque and bright pink, about 8 minutes.
- 11
Just before serving, stir the Cheddar cheese into the grits until the cheese melts and the grits are creamy and light yellow.
- 12
Spoon the grits onto plates and ladle the shrimp mixture over the top.
- 13
Serve and enjoy!
- Calories 627.42 kcal High 31%
- Protein 41.28 g Good Source 83%
- Carbohydrate 39.12 g 14%
- Total Fat 32.94 g High 42%
- Saturated Fat 15.49 g High 77%
- Trans Fat 0.0 g Low Source 0%
- Cholesterol 231.92 mg High 77%
- Sodium 1148.46 mg High 50%
- Dietary Fiber 5.15 g Moderate 18%
- Total Sugars 11.57 g --
- Added Sugars 3.87 g Moderate 8%
- Calcium 282.02 mg Good Source 22%
- Iron 2.25 mg Moderate 13%
- Potassium 700.26 mg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin A 131.62 mcg Moderate 15%
- Vitamin C 27.65 mg Good Source 31%
- Vitamin D 0.1 mcg Low Source 1%
Values are per serving. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
- Citrus 🍊
- Shellfish 🦐
- Milk 🥛
- Wheat 🌾
- Gluten
- Garlic 🧄
- Onions 🧅
About This Recipe
Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style is a Cajun and Creole dinner recipe made with 19 ingredients. It takes about 1 hr 15 mins, serves 8, and is rated medium. Key ingredients include All Purpose Flour, Andouille Pork Sausage, Bacon, and Cayenne Pepper. Each serving provides about 627.42 kcal, and is a good source of protein.
Recipe Questions
- What is Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style?
- It is a Cajun and Creole recipe made with 19 ingredients, usually served for dinner or lunch.
- What is Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style made of?
- The main ingredients are All-Purpose Flour, Andouille Pork Sausage, Bacon, Cayenne Pepper, Diced Onion. The full list of 19 is above.
- What goes well with Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style?
- Explore these Cajun and Creole side-dish recipes.
- How long does it take to make Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style?
- About 1 hr 15 mins in total: 30 mins to prepare and 45 mins to cook.
- How many calories are in one serving?
- One serving provides about 627.42 kcal. The full nutrition breakdown is above.
- Is Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style easy to make?
- This recipe is rated medium, with 19 ingredients and 13 steps.
- Is Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style healthy?
- Lowcountry Shrimp and Grits, Charleston Style has an easyChef Pro health score of 45/100. Per serving, it provides 627.42 calories and 41.28 g of protein, or 83% of the Daily Value. It is a good source of calcium and vitamin C. Worth noting per serving: sodium at 1148.46 mg (50% of the Daily Value), saturated fat at 15.49 g (77% of the Daily Value) and added sugars at 3.87 g (8% of the Daily Value). It contains Citrus, Shellfish, Milk, Wheat, Gluten, Garlic and Onions, so it may not be suitable for people with those allergies or dietary restrictions. Whether it fits your goals depends on your complete meal plan and nutritional needs. Remix it in easyChef Pro to adjust the ingredients and generate fresh nutrition and scores.
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