🔥 Cajun Red Snapper & Shrimp with Creamy Grits 🍤🐟
A Southern-inspired comfort meal that’s bold, creamy, and full of flavor — pan-seared red snapper and shrimp over buttery cheese grits with a rich Cajun cream sauce.
⏱ Prep Time: 20 min | Cook Time: 35 min | Total Time: 55 min
🍽 Servings: 4 | 🔥 Calories: ~650 kcal per serving
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🧈 Ingredients
For the Grits:
1 cup stone-ground grits
4 cups water or chicken broth
½ cup heavy cream
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 tbsp butter
Salt & pepper to taste
For the Red Snapper & Shrimp:
4 red snapper fillets
½ lb (225g) shrimp, peeled & deveined
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp butter
2 cloves garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
For the Cajun Cream Sauce:
1 cup heavy cream
¼ cup chicken broth
2 tbsp butter
1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
½ tsp smoked paprika
¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh parsley, chopped
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👨🍳 Directions
1️⃣ Make the Grits
Bring water or broth to a boil, then whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy.
Add cream, cheddar, and butter. Stir until smooth. Season with salt & pepper. Keep warm.
2️⃣ Cook the Seafood
Pat red snapper and shrimp dry. Season with Cajun seasoning.
Heat olive oil and butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
Cook red snapper for 4–5 minutes per side until golden and flaky. Set aside.
In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add shrimp. Cook 2–3 minutes until pink. Squeeze lemon juice on top and remove from heat.
3️⃣ Make the Cajun Cream Sauce
In the same pan, melt butter, then add Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, and cayenne.
Pour in heavy cream and broth, simmer for 5–7 minutes until slightly thickened.
Stir in Parmesan until smooth and creamy.
4️⃣ Assemble
Spoon creamy grits onto a plate. Top with a red snapper fillet and shrimp.
Drizzle Cajun cream sauce generously over the top.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
If you're looking to elevate your Southern cooking, this Cajun red snapper and shrimp recipe over creamy cheese grits is a fantastic option that brings bold flavors and comforting textures together. The key to perfectly creamy grits lies in using stone-ground grits and cooking them slowly in water or chicken broth. Adding heavy cream, shredded cheddar, and butter enhances the richness and adds a velvety texture. When preparing the seafood, patting the red snapper and shrimp dry ensures a nice sear that locks in flavor. The Cajun seasoning used here is vital—it typically includes spices such as paprika, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and herbs, offering a perfect balance between heat and aroma that complements the sweetness of the seafood. Sautéing garlic briefly before cooking the shrimp infuses additional depth to the seafood layer. The Cajun cream sauce is a luscious, spicy complement made by simmering heavy cream and chicken broth with butter and seasonings such as smoked paprika and optional cayenne pepper for some kick. Stirring in Parmesan cheese adds a subtle nutty flavor while thickening the sauce to a luxurious consistency. To bring everything together, spoon the cheesy grits on the plate, add the golden, flaky snapper fillets and pink shrimp on top, then generously drizzle the creamy Cajun sauce. Garnishing with fresh parsley not only adds vibrant color but also a fresh note that balances the richness of the dish. This meal serves four and is approximately 650 calories per serving, balancing indulgence with portion control. It’s an excellent choice for those who enjoy Southern cuisine, seafood, and dishes with a creamy, spicy twist. Pair this dish with a light salad or steamed greens for a complete dinner. For those new to cooking grits or Cajun seasoning, experimenting with the spice level in the sauce or seasoning can tailor the dish to your preference. Whether you're making this dish for a family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe delivers comforting, authentic Southern flavors in a home-cooked meal.
It looks so delicious. I’m hungry.