Blackened Cajun Shrimp with Grits
Spicy blackened shrimp served over creamy cheese grits. A Southern classic packed with bold Cajun flavors.
Spicy blackened shrimp served over creamy cheese grits. A Southern classic packed with bold Cajun flavors.
Per serving · Adjust servings below to scale ingredients
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Cook grits: bring water/broth and milk to a boil. Whisk in grits, reduce heat. Stir frequently 15-20 minutes until creamy.
Stir cheese and butter into grits until melted. Season with salt and pepper.
Mix all blackening spices. Toss shrimp in spice mixture.
Melt butter in a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Cook shrimp 2 minutes per side until blackened and cooked through.
Serve shrimp over creamy grits. Top with crumbled bacon and green onions.
Values are per 1 serving and stay fixed regardless of the servings adjuster above — use the adjuster to scale ingredients only.
Fish is an exceptionally lean protein source rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which play a role in reducing exercise-induced inflammation and supporting recovery. It digests quickly, making it an excellent choice around workouts. Each serving of Blackened Cajun Shrimp with Grits delivers 36g of protein at 450 calories — that's 13 calories per gram of protein, making it one of the more efficient protein sources on this site. Protein accounts for roughly 32% of total calories in this dish. The 32g of carbohydrates per serving provide energy for training, making this a well-rounded meal both pre- and post-workout. The 20g of fat primarily comes from the cooking method and protein source itself, contributing to satiety and supporting fat-soluble vitamin absorption.
Blackened Cajun Shrimp with Grits is a quick recipe that scales well for meal prep. This recipe makes 4 servings, each delivering 36g of protein and 450 calories — ideal for tracking macros across the week. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, warm gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat or in the microwave in 90-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated through. Adding a small splash of water or broth prevents the protein from drying out during reheating. Blackened Cajun Shrimp with Grits also freezes well — portion into individual freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. Batch cooking a double or triple portion on the weekend means you have 36g-protein meals ready throughout the week with zero daily effort.
Fish is best cooked fresh. You can prep the marinade or sauce 1-2 days ahead. Cooking takes under 15 minutes, so day-of prep is the practical choice.
Yes — any firm-fleshed fish works. For flaky white fish recipes, try cod, halibut, or mahi-mahi. For salmon recipes, try arctic char or steelhead trout.
Reading through all the steps before starting and prepping all ingredients first (mise en place). This prevents mid-cook scrambling and ensures nothing overcooks.
Recipe by
BoBo ChefFitness enthusiast and home cook. Every recipe is tested in a real kitchen and macro-verified before publishing.