By Becky Hardin
Updated Mar 19, 2025
My Shrimp and Grits cups are delicious, easy, and fun! Creamy cheese grits topped with flavorful Garlic Butter Shrimp make a perfect main dish or an elevated appetizer in individual cups. They’re great for a romantic dinner, a party starter, or a crowd-pleasing Super Bowl platter!
5-Star Review
“I made these for some girlfriends I was entertaining. We all loved them! Easy and delicious!” -DD
Garlic Butter Shrimp and Grits Recipe
These Cheese Grits with Garlic Butter Shrimp are my favorite go-to appetizer. With instant grits and frozen shrimp, they come together fast — but their elegant, single-serve look will have guests wondering how you pulled it off! I love topping them with fresh parsley and crispy bacon for the perfect finishing touch.
Tips For Beginners
- These can be split into 8 individual appetizer cups, or as 4 meals.
- I use frozen garlic butter shrimp to make this quick. If not available, use any deveined frozen shrimp. Thaw them overnight and cook with butter, garlic and salt.
- Grits tend to clump and get messy over time, so it’s best to make a fresh batch.
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 12 ounce packages SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, prepared according to package instructions
- ▢ 3 cups whole milk or cream
- ▢ 6 ounces instant grits
- ▢ 1/2 stick salted butter
- ▢ 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- ▢ 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- ▢ 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ▢ 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook shrimp according to the package instructions. Set aside, reserving the sauce separately. 2 12 ounce packages SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, prepared according to package instructions
- Pour the milk and sauce from the shrimp into a medium/large saucepan. 3 cups whole milk or cream
- Heat the milk mixture over medium high heat, watching carefully. Just as it begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer.
- Stir in the grits, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir until butter melts and then add in the cheese, stirring constantly as it melts. 6 ounces instant grits, 1/2 stick salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Once grits are at the desired consistency (I usually stir for about 2-3 minutes), remove from the heat and place into 8 appetizer cups.*
- Top with 4 shrimp each and sprinkle with chopped parsley and bacon crumbles. Enjoy! 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
Becky’s Tips
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to make Shrimp and Grits Step by Step
Cook the shrimp : First start by cooking 2 (12 ounce packages) SeaPak Shrimp Scampi per the package instructions. Set aside, reserving the sauce.
Prepare grits : Bring 3 cups whole milk (or cream) to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add the sauce from the frozen shrimp scampi.
Heat the milk mixture over medium high heat, watching carefully. Just as it begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer. Stir in 6 ounces of Instant Grits, 1/2 stick salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Stir until butter melts.
Now add 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Continue stirring over low heat until creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
Remove from the heat and place into 8 appetizer cups. Top with 4 shrimp each and sprinkle with chopped parsley and 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles. Enjoy!
How to Store and Reheat
Transfer any leftovers to airtight containers and refrigerate for 2-4 days. To reheat, microwave them for 30 seconds or until desired hot. You may have to add some liquid (vegetable/chicken/water) to adjust the consistency.
This recipe takes 20 minutes from start to finish, but if you want to make these ahead, cook the shrimp and refrigerate in a container once they’ve cooled. I recommend cooking the girts fresh.
I wouldn’t recommend freezing them.
Serving Suggestions
I love to serve these Shrimp and Grits with my Garlic Butter Hawaiian Rolls or Garlic Bread . My Mandarin Orange Salad or Lemon Butter Asparagus also goes well with this dish.
More seafood recipes to try
Beer Battered Fish Tacos
Salmon Bowls
Salmon Seasoning
Paella
BBQ Shrimp (New Orleans Style)
Coconut Curry Shrimp
Fried Shrimp
Popcorn Shrimp
Shrimp and Grits Appetizer Cups
Ingredients
- 2 12 ounce packages SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, prepared according to package instructions
- 3 cups whole milk or cream
- 6 ounces instant grits
- 1/2 stick salted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles (for serving)
Instructions
- Cook shrimp according to the package instructions. Set aside, reserving the sauce separately. 2 12 ounce packages SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, prepared according to package instructions
- Pour the milk and sauce from the shrimp into a medium/large saucepan. 3 cups whole milk or cream
- Heat the milk mixture over medium high heat, watching carefully. Just as it begins to boil, reduce heat to simmer.
- Stir in the grits, butter, salt, and pepper. Stir until butter melts and then add in the cheese, stirring constantly as it melts. 6 ounces instant grits, 1/2 stick salted butter, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Once grits are at the desired consistency (I usually stir for about 2-3 minutes), remove from the heat and place into 8 appetizer cups.*
- Top with 4 shrimp each and sprinkle with chopped parsley and bacon crumbles. Enjoy! 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
Notes
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
