Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (2024)

Have you ever eaten something so good that it induces a trance? Well, check out our Voodoo Shrimp and Grits. This classic dish features our all-star spice blend Voodoo, a robust seasoning which includes onion, garlic, whole mustard seeds, thyme and allspice on a base of peppercorns and sea salts. We are excited to share Voodoo Shrimp and Grits just in time for Mardis Gras. French forFat Tuesday, Mardi Gras refers to the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lentenseason. With no shortage ofrichness, this recipe could be the inspiration for your own Mardi Gras ritual.

Voodoo Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients

    For the Grits

    For the Sauce

    • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
    • 2 andouille sausages
    • 1 medium sweet onion, chopped
    • 1 red pepper, chopped
    • 1 clove garlic, minced
    • 1 teaspoon dulce pimenton
    • 1/4 teaspoon thyme
    • 1/2 teaspoon Mexican oregano
    • 1 1/2 cups fish stock or shrimp stock made from reserved shells
    • 1/3 cup heavy cream
    • 1 1/2 pounds fresh medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
    • Voodoo, to taste

    Instructions

      For the Grits:

      1. Put water in a large pot and bring to a rolling boil. Add salt and slowly sprinkle in grits while stirring with a wooden spoon, then add the half-and-half and return to a simmer.
      2. Cook the grits slowly, over low heat for 30-40 minutes until most of the liquid has been absorbed. Stir in butter, Tellicherry black pepper and Voodoo. Continue to cook grits until they are smooth and creamy.
      3. Hold covered, in a warm spot, while you finish preparing the shrimp and sauce.

      For the Sauce:

      1. In a heavy saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat and brown the andouille sausage. Once the sausage begins to brown, about 3-4 minutes, remove from pan and set aside.
      2. Season both sides of the shrimp with a sprinkle of Voodoo and sear over medium high heat for about a minute on each side, working in batches to not crowd the pan. Remove from pan and set aside.
      3. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil to pan. Add cooked sausage onion, pepper, garlic and spices. Sauté for 3 minutes, until the onion is tender and translucent.
      4. Add stock and bring to boil, gently scrape the bottom of the pan to remove any flavorful bits on the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat and slowly add the cream.
      5. Bring up to a simmer and allow to reduce until sauce begins to thicken slightly, about 10 minutes.
      6. Once thickened, add seared shrimp and simmer until the shrimp are just cooked, about 2-3 minutes.
      7. When the sauce is finished, rewarm the grits and serve in a shallow bowl with the sauce spooned over the grits. Finish with Voodoo to taste.

      ©2024 World Spice Merchants https://www.worldspice.com

      Tagged with: oreganosmoked paprikaSpice ClubThymevoodoo


      15 Comments

      1. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (2) Grandma says:

        February 13, 2013 at 4:48 AM

        Angelina, this sounds delicious! I will have to try a half recipe soon.
        Love your column! xo

        Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (3) Angelina says:

          March 1, 2013 at 5:25 PM

          Thanks Grandma! My wonderful colleague, Kimberley, actually wrote this post, but I’m glad you like reading them. The recipe/spice blend really are fantastic.

          Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (5) kimberley says:

          February 13, 2013 at 9:35 AM

          Good Morning! Three cups of half and half will do the trick. Thank you.

          Reply

      2. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (6) MariaR says:

        July 10, 2013 at 10:28 AM

        I don’t seem to see how many this serves. Any suggestions?

        Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (7) Angelina says:

          July 22, 2013 at 2:44 PM

          This recipe should result in 6-8 servings.

          Reply

      3. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (8) JanetL says:

        November 4, 2015 at 6:07 AM

        I ordered the spices and made this. This was my first time making Shrimp and Grits but it will not be my last. I was more than enough food. I love your site and spices!!!!

        Reply

      4. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (10) Cheryl Gafner says:

        March 19, 2017 at 2:23 PM

        I am SO glad a found this, YAY!!!!!!!

        Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (11) Sherrie says:

          March 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM

          So glad you enjoyed it!

          Reply

      5. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (12) Julie Fine says:

        June 14, 2020 at 12:17 PM

        The picture looks like it has bell pepper and the instructions mention adding ‘pepper’, but I don’t see bell pepper in the ingredient list. Is there supposed to be bell pepper in this recipe?

        Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (13) Sherrie says:

          June 22, 2020 at 2:58 PM

          Good catch! It somehow didn’t make it into the written recipe. Taken care of now. Enjoy!

          Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (14) Marco Maniaci says:

          January 24, 2021 at 9:10 AM

          Add a seeded and finely diced jalapeño for some added flavor and subtle heat. Remember to wear gloves while handling the pepper, I don’t, the capsaicin helps the circulation in my fingers.

          Reply

      6. Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (15) Moirai says:

        June 21, 2021 at 1:10 PM

        This is our go to shrimp and grits recipe; it’s absolutely delicious

        Reply

        • Voodoo Shrimp and Grits - A collection of spice-centric recipes from (16) Jamie says:

          June 25, 2021 at 12:49 PM

          Thank you! We love it, too!

          Reply

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      FAQs

      Where did the dish shrimp and grits originate? ›

      The true origin of shrimp and grits is believed to be Charleston, South Carolina, where the recipe first appeared in 1950 as a breakfast recipe in the Charleston Receipts cookbook. By 1976, the meal was so popular South Carolina declared shrimp and grits the official state food.

      What type of cuisine is shrimp and grits? ›

      Shrimp and grits is a Southern dish from the Lowcountry of coastal South Carolina and Georgia. It's traditionally served at breakfast, but you can often find it on lunch or dinner menus.

      What is a fun fact about shrimp and grits? ›

      The history of shrimp and grits (sometimes called “breakfast grits”) lays a line through the entire received history of our country. Originally an African dish of ground maize and shellfish, shrimp and grits migrated with people who were enslaved in plantation kitchens of the Lowcountry of the American South.

      Why is shrimp and grits good? ›

      The cheesy, buttery grits livened up by the Cajun spices in the shrimp! When you bring it all together, you have a perfectly balanced dish. It's the same principle as this creamy Cajun Shrimp Pasta.

      Is shrimp and grits a New Orleans dish? ›

      New Orleans Shrimp And Grits With Just The Right Amount Of Cajun Spice. These shrimp and grits are robust and full of flavors that mimic the liveliness of New Orleans. We can argue over whether shrimp and grits are a dinner dish or a brunch one, but we won't argue over how good this recipe is.

      Are grits an African American food? ›

      Grits as we know it today originated with the indigenous people in America, passed on to the European settlers, and later taken on by slaves throughout the South. A bowl of grits or porridge was prevalent in slave kitchens and eaten by both the slaves and their owners.

      What culture is grits from? ›

      Grits originated during the 16th century among the Native American Muskogee tribes of southeastern states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. These tribes are credited with grinding dried corn into a coarse, gritty texture and serving it to colonists.

      What were shrimp and grits originally called? ›

      History of Shrimp and Grits

      Many pin the dish's origins to the Lowcountry, where it was once called shrimps and hominy or breakfast shrimp. (Some in that region call cooked grits hominy.

      Where do people eat shrimp and grits? ›

      Shrimp and grits is a traditional dish in the Lowcountry of the coastal Carolinas and Georgia in the United States.

      Do you eat shrimp and grits with a fork or spoon? ›

      Some people may not understand how to eat grits. Grits are fork food and should not be served in a bowl. They should not consume 90 percent of your plate, and you should not have to eat them with a spoon or finish them by sopping up the remnants with a stale piece of toast.

      Who first made shrimp and grits? ›

      The origin of this popular dish is thought to be Charleston, SC, and the Low Country, more than 70 years ago, when fresh, local, small, peeled shrimp were fried in bacon grease with onion and green pepper and served alongside grits at breakfast.

      What culture eats grits often? ›

      The dish originated in the Southern United States but is now available nationwide. Grits are often part of a dinner entrée shrimp and grits, served primarily in the South.

      What do grits do to your body? ›

      Grits, especially in their whole-grain form, hold on to many of these helpful plant compounds, even when you boil them. Grits, as whole grains or enriched varieties, also contain folate, which helps prevent birth defects and may also lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.

      Are shrimp and grits healthy to eat? ›

      Shrimp and grits on their own are good for you! Grits are a whole grain and shrimp are packed with protein. The only thing that makes it an unhealthy recipe is the addition of fats and oils like butter, full fat cheese, and heavy cream.

      Is shrimp and grits good for diabetics? ›

      You can also combine grits with ingredients like skim milk, olive oil, fruits and/or vegetables to boost the dish's nutritional value—Our Shrimp-&-Grits-Stuffed Peppers is a balanced dinner option and is diabetes-friendly.

      Why are shrimp and grits popular in South Carolina? ›

      Using sea or "beach" water, Lowcountry folk routinely cooked up breakfast bowls of briny grits. But when they added sweet, tiny creek shrimp into the mix, these rustic culinarians set in motion the first waves of a gastronomic movement destined to define the state's food scene.

      What culture did grits come from? ›

      Origin. The dish originated with the Native American Muscogee tribe using maize. American colonists learned to make the dish from the Native Americans, and it quickly became an American staple. At that time, maize or hominy for grits was ground on a stone mill.

      Which country invented grits? ›

      Grits originated during the 16th century among the Native American Muskogee tribes of southeastern states, including Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. These tribes are credited with grinding dried corn into a coarse, gritty texture and serving it to colonists.

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