This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (2024)

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Shrimp and grits-the ultimate Southern comfort food with all of the classic rich and cheesy, buttery flavor and texture you’d expect from the traditional recipe less carbs thanks to a one of a kind cauliflower rice that makes this the ultimate keto comfort food with 5.6 net carbs!

This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (1)

Have you been looking for delicious comfort food that’s not loaded with carbs?Me too!

I’ve been getting tired of all the recipes promising authentic tasting low carb Southern-style cuisine only to end up disappointed after slaving over a hot stove and steaming pots of cauliflower rice.

No offense to Northern folks, but when it comes to good old-fashioned Southern cooking, Y’all should probably leave that to those of us born South of the Mason Dixon line.

I created this keto shrimp & grits recipe mostly to prove that it could be done & because I was starving! But first, I had some questions that needed answers.

How Shrimp & Grits Became A Thing

You may be surprised to learn – or you may not give a rip – about this culinary classic’s humble beginnings as a simple, cheap breakfast for the fisherman in the Lowcountry marshes of South Carolina and Georgia.

Shrimp & Grits didn’t gain any real attention until the mid-eighties…

Since we love a good story here, I did some digging Paul Harvey style investigating & learned in 1982 a self-taught chef named Bill Neal changed the trajectory of the recipe for-evah & made Southern comfort food a 4-star staple after serving his signature version at Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Chef Neal’s recipe featured grits infused with cheddar and parmesan cheese topped with seasoned jumbo shrimp, mushrooms, and bacon. In 1985, The New York Times’ Craig Claiborne published the recipe and well, the rest is history.

Making It Keto & Slap Your Mama Good

Here’s the thing.

I’m a Mississippi girl and I grew up on grits. (A low carb nightmare:) I fell in love with John Currence’s Shrimp & Grits recipe while I was a student at Ole Miss. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I have ever ordered anything else from John’s restaurantCity Grocery in over 20 years! Now, I don’t know if that makes me loyal or boring, but I do know this: his fabulous carb loaded recipe helped me gain way more than the Freshman 15.

Dear Comfort Food: I Just Can’t Quit You

As Y’all know, I’ve lost over 148 pounds on the keto diet, an entire fourth grader, but I miss Southern comfort food. So, I did what any hungry girl would do & made my favorite “grits” low carb.

And y’all…

This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (2)

It’s legit Slap Your Mama Good!

*Disclaimer: I’m not telling you to slap your mother. I do not need Mama Drama!

Important Notes About The Cauliflower Rice

We took the easy route & bought the 12 ounce bags of chopped cauliflower. You could also buy a medium head of cauliflower – rinse & chop – & save money.

Either way, you’re going to have to use a food processor or grater to get the texture right & steam it!

We steamed ours right there on the stove with a little water & a careful eye for about 7 minutes.

You can also steam it in the microwave. Just put it in a microwave safe bowl with a tablespoon of oil & cover with plastic wrap. Set the microwave for 3 minutes & you’re done! *If you use the microwave method-put the rice back into a medium-large sauce pan over low heat.

Are you ready?

Because you can throw away all the other keto/low carb/healthy/shrimp & grits recipes you have. This is the only one you need! Bold claim? Sure. But you’re just going to have to trust me.

This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (3)

I’m so happy to share this keto recipe with you. Mad props go to my daughter Savannah for helping me create it. Thank you, Sav!

If You Love Comfort Food, Here’s A Few More Keto Recipes You Need

Original Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe Is Your New Favorite Keto Crockpot Recipe

Keto Crockpot White Shredded Chicken Chili

Fully Loaded Keto Cauliflower Soup

25 Insanely Delicious Keto Comfort Food Dinner Recipes

Get the go-to keto pantry staples, meal plans and exclusive Word To Your Mother reader discounts on my Shop Page here. Need a shopping list? Click here!

And for more than 500 Low Carb Keto Meal ideas and easy recipes, check out my Keto Recipes Index!

Kickstart Keto Without Giving Up Your Favorite Foods!

I’ve lost 148 pounds on the keto diet and maintained that weight loss for six years!

This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (4)

I wrote a book that explains every detail of how I lost the weight on keto – without doing macro math at every meal. If you are a woman who is tired of trendy diet B.S. and you need a real-world roadmap to help you get healthy (low-carb style), Rebel Keto will be your new best friend.

This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (5)
This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (6)

Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Loaded Cauliflower Rice

Yield: 6

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Keto Shrimp and Grits is the ultimate low carb Southern comfort food with all of the decadent and rich cheesy flavor and texture you’d expect from the traditional recipe with none of the carbs thanks to a one of a kind loaded cauliflower rice that’s even better than grits!

Ingredients

  • 2 12 ounce bags Chopped Cauliflower
  • 2 lbs Shrimp (Peeled & Deveined)
  • 1 8 ounce block Sharp Cheddar Cheese
  • 1 8 ounce block Pepper Jack Cheese
  • 1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 4 Tablespoons Salted Butter
  • 3/4 Cup White Button Mushrooms
  • 6 Thick Cut Strips of Bacon
  • 1 Lemon (Cut in Half-Squeezed for Juice)
  • 1 Bunch Green Onions - Chopped

Instructions

  1. Fry Bacon - Keep The Grease - Set Aside - Resist Temptation to Eat It All Right There!
  2. Rinse shrimp - take off tails - devein if you want to take it that far
  3. Rinse & slice mushrooms
  4. Grate Cheddar & Pepper Jack Cheese (Pre-Shredded will work - just know the manufacturer adds preservatives to keep it pretty on the shelf - which also adds a few carbs.
  5. Prep The Cauliflower Rice
  6. In a medium - large saucepan on low heat add the cheese to the cauliflower rice
  7. Stir in heavy cream
  8. Keep an eye on that
  9. In another saucepan, saute shrimp, mushrooms, lemon juice butter & around 2 tablespoons bacon drippings until shrimp is golden brown.
  10. Final Step: Combine Cauliflower Rice + Shrimp (Or Serve the shrimp over the Cauliflower Rice) & Top with Green Onions
  11. Enjoy!

Notes

You may omit the bacon if you're just not a bacon person or if you're not feeling it. The recipe is still fabulous without it!
Need spice? Chop a Jalapeño Pepper and add it into the shrimp saute!
Or add a little Tony Chachere's to the shrimp-it is by far the best Creole Seasoning you can buy!
If you want even more heat-add a teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper!
Add a splash of Hot Sauce-to taste.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 763Total Fat: 46.7gSaturated Fat: 25.1gSodium: 874.9mgCarbohydrates: 6.3gNet Carbohydrates: 5.6gFiber: 0.7gSugar: 3gProtein: 54.3g

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This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe Is Epic Low Carb Comfort Food (2024)

FAQs

What are keto grits made of? ›

Most keto grits recipes use cauliflower as a replacement for cornmeal. Unfortunately, cauliflower grits don't taste like real grits. It tastes like cheesy cauli rice. Using lupin meal instead will be your go-to recipe for grits instead of cauliflower grits.

Can you eat grits on a no carb diet? ›

Are Grits High in Carbohydrates? As mentioned above, grits are made solely from corn—a high starch, high carb food. A typical serving size of our Creamy White Corn Grits contains 32 grams of total carbohydrates.

Is shrimp good on a low-carb diet? ›

So, is shrimp low-carb? Definitely. Shrimp has just 0.2 grams of carbs in a 3-ounce serving; although shrimp come in different sizes, this is roughly 3-5 shrimp. Shrimp has less than a gram of fat per serving that comes from omega-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fats that are beneficial to your body.

Can you eat grits or oatmeal on keto? ›

Traditional grits are high in carbohydrates and not suitable for a keto diet. However, there are low-carb alternatives like cauliflower grits or almond flour-based versions that can be enjoyed in moderation while following a ketogenic eating plan. Are grits and polenta the same?

What is grits made from? ›

Grits are made from ground corn, typically from less sweet, starchy varieties often referred to as dent corn. Grits can be made from either yellow or white corn and are often labeled accordingly.

What is a good replacement for grits? ›

I only like yellow grits — but most places don't sell them, so I use polenta. Which some people argue are the same. Polenta is great, but it can be a little more expensive. Then, I discovered Quaker cornmeal as a substitute.

Is hummus OK on a low carb diet? ›

It's possible to eat small amounts of hummus on a keto diet with careful planning. Still, keto-friendly dips and spreads may be more satisfying. You could opt for a keto hummus that replaces cauliflower or avocado for the chickpeas to keep the carbohydrates lower and pair it with non-starchy vegetables.

Is cheese okay for keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

Do grits spike sugar? ›

Grits are a creamy Southern dish made from ground corn. While they're high in carbs and can increase blood sugar, you can eat them in moderation if you have diabetes. Just be sure to pair this savory porridge with healthy, low-carb ingredients and choose less processed, stone-ground varieties when possible.

Is Greek yogurt OK on keto? ›

Plain Greek yogurt and cottage cheese are nutritious, high protein foods. While they contain some carbs, you can eat them in moderation on keto. Both yogurt and cottage cheese have been shown to help decrease appetite and promote feelings of fullness (33, 34 ).

Can I have a banana on keto? ›

Bananas. Bananas may be great for muscle recovery, reducing bloat, and calming an upset stomach, but they're on the list of foods you can't eat on the keto diet. With 25g of carbs per 100g serving, bananas are too high in carbs.

Can I eat Quaker oats on keto diet? ›

While oatmeal isn't considered a keto food, it's not entirely off-limits. One serving of our Organic Steel Cut Oats oats contains 31 grams of carbohydrates. The suggested daily carbohydrate intake is typically reduced to less than 50 grams when following the ketogenic diet.

Are oats OK on keto? ›

No, not unless you're interested in only a spoonful a day. Oatmeal is high in net carbs, which doesn't fit the low carb, high fat strategy needed to achieve ketosis.

Can I have oats in keto? ›

Oatmeal is one of the most nutrient-dense grains. Can it, however, be incorporated into the Keto diet? Yes! Pure, raw (not pre-cooked) oatmeal is also a good source of resistant starch, which is essential for the Keto diet.

What are grits? ›

Grits are a type of porridge made from coarsely ground dried maize or hominy, the latter being maize that has been treated with an alkali in a process called nixtamalization, with the pericarp (ovary wall) removed. Grits are cooked in warm salted water or milk. They are often served with flavorings as a breakfast dish.

What is the difference between corn and grits? ›

Similar to cornmeal, grits are made from dried and ground corn but are usually a coarser grind. Grits are often made from hominy, which is corn treated with lime (or another alkaline product) to remove the hull.

What's the difference between grits and polenta? ›

Polenta comes from flint corn, which is courser and holds a firmer texture, while dent corn (or hominy) used for grits produces a finer consistency. And while it isn't the case across the board, the corn used to create polenta is generally yellow, while grits are white.

What is the same as grits? ›

Both grits and polenta fall under the heading of cornmeal, which is essentially a coarse flour, or “meal,” made from dried corn.

References

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