Barbecued Bourbon Shrimp With Cheddar Cheese Grits Recipe

Indulge in this Southern fusion masterpiece! Amber Huffman's award-winning recipe combines succulent grilled shrimp, bathed in a tangy bourbon barbecue sauce, atop creamy cheddar cheese grits. This recipe, a favorite of Jesse Jackson, is a flavor explosion that's sure to impress. The rich grits are perfectly complemented by the sweet and smoky shrimp, creating a dish so delicious, it's garnered multiple marriage proposals (though Amber hasn't said 'yes' yet!). Pair this unforgettable meal with a light-bodied Pinot Noir, like a Kendall-Jackson, for the ultimate culinary experience.

Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 100 mins
Calories 543.6 kcal
Protein 53g
Rating 5.0 (1 Reviews)
Barbecued Bourbon Shrimp With Cheddar Cheese Grits 99

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Recipe adapted from Food.com. Standardized by Forktionary.

Ingredients for Barbecued Bourbon Shrimp With Cheddar Cheese Grits

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How to Make Barbecued Bourbon Shrimp With Cheddar Cheese Grits

  1. **Prepare the Bourbon Barbecue Sauce:**
  2. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add 1/2 cup chopped yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Add 2 cloves minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  5. Stir in 1/2 cup ketchup, 1/4 cup bourbon, 2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons molasses, 1 tablespoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce, 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
  6. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 40 minutes.
  7. Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside 1/3 cup for the shrimp; reserve the rest.
  8. **Prepare the Shrimp:**
  9. Season 1 pound of large shrimp with salt and pepper. Brush both sides with the reserved 1/3 cup of barbecue sauce.
  10. Preheat a grill pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Lightly grease with 1 teaspoon of oil.
  11. Grill shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side, or until pink and cooked through.
  12. **Prepare the Cheddar Cheese Grits:**
  13. In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian option) and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes (optional) to a boil.
  14. Slowly whisk in 1 cup of coarse stone-ground grits.
  15. Reduce heat to low, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 20 minutes.
  16. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons of butter, and 1/2 cup of heavy cream.
  17. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  18. **Assemble and Serve:**
  19. Spoon the cheese grits onto plates. Top with the grilled bourbon barbecue shrimp and drizzle with the remaining barbecue sauce.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

57 g

Sugar

87g

Fat

66g

Carbs

16g