Home Main DishesShrimp and Grits with Red Eye Gravy

Shrimp and Grits with Red Eye Gravy

Name: Shrimp and Grits with Red Eye Gravy
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 18 min
Total time: 28 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Southern
Ingredients: 3 cups water; 2 1/2 cups milk; 2 teaspoons salt; 1 1/2 cups quick-cooking grits; 3 tablespoons butter; 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1/4 pound country ham, cut into thin strips; 2 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 tablespoon olive or vegetable oil; 1 1/4 pounds medium to large shrimp, peeled and deveined; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 tablespoon flour; 1/2 cup strong coffee, room temperature; 1/3 cup bbq sauce, I use Stubb's Sweet and spicy; 1/3 cup chicken broth; 2 green onions, sliced

Shrimp and Grits with Red-Eye Gravy is a fun twist on traditional Shrimp and Grits. The sauce is based on Red-Eye Gravy, another classic southern recipe that is made with coffee and served over country ham.

Prep10 min
Cook18 min
Total28 min
Serves4
Rating5.0

Shrimp and Grits with Red-Eye Gravy is a fun twist on traditional Shrimp and Grits. The sauce is based on Red-Eye Gravy, another classic southern recipe that is made with coffee and served over country ham.

How To Make

Shrimp and Grits with Red-Eye Gravy is a super easy dish to make. First, get your grits going because they take the longest to cook.

Next, a little country ham that has been cut into slivers is pan-fried until crispy. Set it aside and add a little butter and oil to the pan. Lightly season the shrimp with salt and garlic powder and cook them in the butter/oil mixture for just 2 to 3 minutes. Set the shrimp aside with the ham.

Add a little more butter to the pan along with 1 tablespoon of flour. Cook the flour for 1 minute and then add 1/2 cup of strong coffee, 1/3 cup of BBQ Sauce, and 1/3 cup of chicken broth. I love the slightly sweet and smoky flavor the BBQ Sauce gives the shrimp and grits. The sauce just needs to simmer for a minute or two and you are ready to plate the dish as soon as the grits are done.

I add a little Parmesan cheese to the grits but some cheddar cheese would be good too.

Shrimp and Grits with Red-Eye Gravy makes a fabulous brunch recipe. Your guests will really be impressed.

Recipe Tips

You can use fresh or frozen and thawed shrimp. If you don’t live near the coast where you have access to very fresh shrimp, you are probably better off buying frozen shrimp.
Be careful not to overcook the shrimp. They are done as soon as they turn opaque. Two to three minutes should be plenty.

Storage

Store leftovers grits and leftovers shrimp mixture in separate containers in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Shrimp are highly perishable so I don’t like to keep leftovers for long. If the grits are too thick, stir a little milk or water into them before reheating.