If you’ve been longing for a comforting Southern classic that won’t disrupt your low carb lifestyle, this Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe is an absolute game changer. It delivers all the rich, creamy goodness of traditional shrimp and grits but uses a velvety cauliflower base instead of traditional corn grits, making it perfectly keto-friendly. The juicy shrimp cooked in a buttery, garlicky, and zesty sauce, combined with smoky bacon and sharp cheddar-infused cauliflower, creates a harmony of flavors that will quickly become a favorite in your meal rotation.

Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple, fresh ingredients come together in this dish, each playing a vital role to build layers of flavor, texture, and color. From the mild cauliflower acting as creamy grits to the punchy cheddar and bright herbs, every component shines.

Cauliflower (1 medium, about 907g / 2lb): This low carb hero replaces traditional grits with a creamy texture that’s perfect for soaking up all the shrimp goodness.
Butter (4 tablespoons total): Used twice in the recipe, butter adds luscious richness and depth both to the cauliflower and shrimp.
Cheddar cheese (2 cups, grated): Sharp and melty, cheddar ups the flavor and creaminess of your cauliflower “grits.”
Salt (1/2 teaspoon) and freshly ground pepper (1/4 teaspoon): Simply enhances all the flavors without overwhelming the dish.
Medium shrimp (2 lbs, peeled and deveined): The star protein—sweet, tender, and perfectly paired with smoky bacon and the garlicky sauce.
Bacon (6 slices, cooked crispy and chopped): Adds a savory crunch and smoky undertones that contrast beautifully with the creamy base.
Fresh lemon juice (1 tablespoon): A splash of brightness that cuts through the richness and lifts the entire dish.
Worcestershire sauce (2 tablespoons): Infuses a subtle umami depth and complexity into the shrimp mixture.
Garlic cloves (2, minced): Provides a fragrant and flavor-packed punch that complements seafood perfectly.
Green onions (4, sliced): Freshness and a mild oniony bite that lightens the heaviness and adds color.
Fresh parsley (2 tablespoons, chopped): The finishing touch that adds a dash of herbal brightness and vibrant green color.

How to Make Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Cauliflower Grits

Cut your cauliflower into bite-size chunks and steam them until they’re soft and tender, about 5 to 7 minutes. Aim for softness without going mushy, so the texture stays just right for blending into creamy grits.

Step 2: Grate the Cheddar Cheese

As your cauliflower steams, grate your sharp cheddar. Having it ready to go makes the finishing process seamless and keeps the heat in the cauliflower to melt the cheese perfectly.

Step 3: Blend the Cauliflower Mixture

Drain any excess water from the steamed cauliflower to prevent watery grits. While it’s still warm, combine the cauliflower with 2 tablespoons of butter, the grated cheddar, salt, and pepper. Use a hand blender to whip everything into a luxuriously smooth, cheesy base. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed, adding a little more cheese or salt for richness.

Step 4: Cook the Bacon

In a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook your bacon slices until they’re crispy and golden. Remove them, reserve the flavorful bacon grease in the pan, and chop the bacon into small, irresistible pieces to sprinkle on your finished dish.

Step 5: Cook the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the pan with the bacon fat and cook for roughly 3 minutes, turning halfway. You want the shrimp just shy of fully cooked, maintaining a lovely juicy texture for the next step.

Step 6: Add Flavorings and Finish Cooking

Into the skillet goes fresh lemon juice, the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and sliced green onions along with the chopped bacon. This combination simmers together until the shrimp are cooked through and the flavors meld into a luscious, fragrant sauce.

Step 7: Serve Your Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Spoon a generous amount of those creamy cauliflower grits onto your plate, top with the shrimp mixture, and sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately while it’s warm and inviting.

How to Serve Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh parsley adds a fragrant herbal touch and a pop of green, making your plate look as good as it tastes. For an extra burst of contrasting flavor, consider a light drizzle of hot sauce or a squeeze of extra lemon.

Side Dishes

This dish is perfectly satisfying on its own, but for a well-rounded meal consider a crisp green salad tossed in a zesty vinaigrette or steamed low carb veggies like asparagus or broccoli to add crunch and additional nutrients.

Creative Ways to Present

Serve your shrimp and cauliflower grits in wide, shallow bowls to showcase the creamy texture and vibrant colors. Add a sprinkle of extra crispy bacon bits and green onions on top for a restaurant-quality presentation that will wow your guests.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Let any leftovers cool completely before transferring them to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for up to 3 days. Keep the shrimp and cauliflower grits together for the best flavor combination.

Freezing

While cauliflower grits freeze reasonably well, shrimp can become rubbery if frozen and reheated repeatedly. For best results, freeze the cauliflower portion separately and reheat shrimp fresh if possible. When freezing, use airtight containers or freezer bags and consume within 1 month.

Reheating

Reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, or in the microwave at medium power. Add a splash of cream or broth to loosen the cauliflower grits if they’ve thickened too much during storage.

FAQs

Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?

Absolutely! Just be sure to thaw the shrimp completely and pat them dry before cooking to avoid adding excess moisture to your dish.

Is this recipe dairy-free or easy to make dairy-free?

This version includes butter and cheddar cheese, but you can substitute with dairy-free butter and vegan cheese alternatives to suit your diet, although the flavor profile will change a bit.

How spicy is this dish?

This Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe is mild and comforting by itself, but you can easily add a pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes for some heat if you like things spicier.

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Cheddar’s sharp flavor works beautifully here, but feel free to experiment with Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or gouda for different tastes and meltiness.

What if I don’t have a hand blender?

A regular blender or food processor works great too. Just pulse carefully to achieve a creamy texture without over-blending into a puree.

Final Thoughts

Once you try this Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe, it’s going to become one of those dishes you make over and over because it’s just that comforting, delicious, and easy to whip up. It beautifully captures the soul of traditional shrimp and grits while staying mindful of low carb needs. Trust me, your taste buds and your keto journey will thank you for making this at home!

Low Carb Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe

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3.8 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Diet: Low Carb

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Description

A low-carb, keto-friendly take on classic shrimp and grits using creamy cauliflower grits topped with flavorful sautéed shrimp, bacon, and fresh herbs. This recipe offers a comforting and satisfying meal perfect for a healthy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale

Cauliflower Grits

1 medium cauliflower (Approx 907g / 2lb)
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups Cheddar cheese (226g / 8oz) – grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

Shrimp Mixture

2 lbs medium shrimp (907g) – peeled and deveined
6 slices bacon, cooked crispy and chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 green onions, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

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Instructions

Prepare Cauliflower Grits: Cut the cauliflower into chunks and steam them for 5-7 minutes until soft but not overcooked, ensuring a perfect texture for blending.
Grate Cheese: While the cauliflower steams, grate the Cheddar cheese so it’s ready to mix.
Blend Cauliflower Mixture: Drain any excess water from the cooked cauliflower. While still hot, add 2 tablespoons of butter, grated cheese, salt, and pepper. Use a hand blender to blend everything together until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
Cook Bacon: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook bacon slices until crisp. Remove bacon, retain the grease in the skillet, then chop bacon into small pieces.
Cook Shrimp: Add peeled and deveined shrimp to the skillet with bacon grease. Cook over medium heat for about 3 minutes, turning at least once, until shrimp are almost pink but not fully cooked.
Add Flavorings: Add fresh lemon juice, 2 tablespoons butter, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, sliced green onions, and chopped bacon to the skillet. Continue cooking for a couple of minutes until shrimp are fully cooked and flavors meld.
Serve: Spoon the creamy cauliflower grits onto plates, top with the shrimp mixture, sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley, and serve immediately for best taste and texture.

Notes

Steaming the cauliflower rather than boiling helps preserve nutrients and prevents excess water from diluting the grits.
Adjust the cheese and seasoning in the cauliflower grits for creaminess and flavor preference.
Crispy bacon adds a lovely smoky texture—make sure to use the bacon grease for cooking shrimp to retain that flavor.
If you prefer spicier shrimp, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when sautéing garlic.
Serve immediately to enjoy the best texture of shrimp and creamy grits.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Southern American