Grilled BBQ Shrimp with Creamy Southern Grits

These BBQ Shrimp and Grits deliver bold flavor with a rich, creamy, cheesy base and perfectly grilled shrimp. It’s classic Southern comfort food elevated into a special-occasion dish.

Easy Shrimp and Grits

Shrimp and grits is one of the most comforting Southern dishes, and this version adds a BBQ twist. The grits are ultra-creamy and cheesy, the shrimp are juicy with a hint of char from the grill, and a tangy BBQ butter ties everything together to balance the rich flavors.

The contrast of sweet, savory, and smoky notes gives this meal a refined feel while still being approachable to prepare.

Ingredients for Shrimp and Grits

This recipe is built from simple ingredients that combine into something impressive. The sections below list what you’ll need for the cheesy grits, the BBQ shrimp, and the BBQ-butter sauce.

Cheesy Grits:

• Low-sodium chicken broth
• Garlic, minced
• Old-fashioned grits
• Sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• Unsalted butter
• Heavy cream
• Kosher salt
• Freshly cracked black pepper

BBQ Shrimp:

• Jumbo shrimp (21–25 count), peeled and deveined
• Sweet rub (store-bought or homemade)

BBQ Butter Sauce:

• Your favorite BBQ sauce
• Unsalted butter

How to Make Shrimp and Grits

Follow these steps to build the dish: creamy grits, a simple BBQ-butter sauce, and grilled shrimp finished with a drizzle of that sauce.

1. Make the grits. In a medium saucepan, bring chicken broth and minced garlic to a boil over medium heat. Stir in the grits, reduce to low, and cook according to package directions, whisking periodically until tender and liquid is absorbed. Whisk in heavy cream and butter, then remove from heat and stir in cheddar until melted. Season to taste with kosher salt and cracked black pepper.
2. Make the BBQ butter sauce. Melt the unsalted butter and whisk in BBQ sauce until smooth. Divide the sauce into two portions: one for basting the shrimp while grilling and one to finish the plated grits.
3. Season the shrimp. Toss the peeled, deveined shrimp with the sweet rub to coat evenly.
4. Grill the shrimp. With the grill preheated to about 450°F, place the seasoned shrimp on the grates. Grill 2–3 minutes per side, basting each side with the BBQ butter sauce. Discard any sauce that contacted raw shrimp.
5. Assemble and serve. Spoon cheesy grits into bowls, top with 6–8 grilled shrimp per serving, and drizzle with the reserved BBQ butter sauce. Garnish with chopped chives if desired.

More Grilled Shrimp Ideas

If you enjoy grilled shrimp, try variations like shrimp tacos with pineapple salsa, shrimp-and-sausage kabobs, or grilled shrimp with a chili-lime rub for different flavor profiles.

BBQ Shrimp and Grits Recipe

BBQ Shrimp and Grits

These BBQ Shrimp and Grits are a delicious meal when you’re craving bold flavor with a creamy, cheesy texture. Classic Southern comfort made special.

Prep Time 15 mins

Cook Time 15 mins

Total Time 30 mins

Servings 6 people

Ingredients

Cheesy Grits

• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup old-fashioned grits
• 4 oz sharp cheddar, shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Kosher salt, to taste
• Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

BBQ Shrimp

• 2 pounds jumbo shrimp (21–25), peeled and deveined
• 2 tbsp sweet rub

BBQ Butter Sauce

• 1 cup BBQ sauce
• 6 tbsp unsalted butter

Instructions

• Preheat the grill. Heat the grill to 450°F.
• Season the shrimp. Toss shrimp with the sweet rub and set aside.
• Prepare the grits. Bring chicken broth and garlic to a boil, whisk in grits, reduce heat, and simmer per package instructions until tender. Whisk in heavy cream and butter, then stir in cheese in batches until melted. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
• Make the BBQ butter. Melt the butter, whisk in BBQ sauce, and divide into two portions—one for basting the shrimp and one to finish the dish.
• Grill the shrimp. Grill shrimp 2–3 minutes per side, basting once or twice with the BBQ butter. Discard any butter that touched raw shrimp.
• Assemble. Spoon grits into bowls, top with shrimp, drizzle with reserved BBQ butter sauce, and garnish with chives if desired. Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 531 kcal |
Carbohydrates: 46 g |
Protein: 42 g |
Fat: 20 g |
Saturated Fat: 11 g |
Cholesterol: 428 mg |
Sodium: 1834 mg

Nutrition information is an estimate and should be used as a guideline only.