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Shrimp and Grits Appetizer Cups Recipe

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4.1 from 1 review

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 8 appetizer cups

Description

Delicious Shrimp and Grits Appetizer Cups featuring tender shrimp cooked in a flavorful scampi sauce, served atop creamy, cheesy grits with a topping of crispy bacon crumbles. This quick and easy appetizer is perfect for parties and gatherings, combining Southern comfort flavors in a convenient, bite-sized serving.

Ingredients

Shrimp

  • 2 (12-ounce) packages SeaPak Shrimp Scampi, prepared according to package instructions

Grits

  • 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

Toppings

  • 1/4 cup cooked bacon crumbles
  • Chopped parsley (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook Shrimp: Prepare the SeaPak Shrimp Scampi according to the package instructions. Once cooked, set the shrimp aside and reserve the scampi sauce separately for later use.
  2. Combine Milk and Sauce: In a medium to large saucepan, pour in the whole milk or cream along with the reserved shrimp scampi sauce.
  3. Heat Milk Mixture: Warm the milk and sauce mixture over medium-high heat. Watch carefully and as soon as it begins to boil, reduce the heat to a simmer to prevent scorching.
  4. Add Grits and Seasonings: Stir in the instant grits, salted butter, sea salt, and black pepper. Continue stirring until the butter has melted completely.
  5. Incorporate Cheese: Slowly add the shredded cheddar cheese to the grits mixture, stirring constantly until the cheese is fully melted and the grits reach your desired creamy consistency. This typically takes about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Assemble Appetizer Cups: Remove the grits from heat and spoon the mixture evenly into 8 appetizer cups.
  7. Top With Shrimp and Garnishes: Place 4 cooked shrimp on top of each cup, then sprinkle with cooked bacon crumbles and chopped parsley for a pop of color and flavor. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use whole milk or cream for a richer, creamier texture in the grits.
  • Instant grits cook quickly, making this appetizer fast to prepare.
  • You can substitute bacon crumbles with crispy pancetta or omit for a vegetarian option (without shrimp).
  • Chopped parsley adds freshness and color but is optional.
  • This recipe yields 8 appetizer-sized servings, perfect for parties.
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Southern

Find it online: https://saraflavors.com/shrimp-and-grits-appetizer-cups-recipe/