Shrimp and grits

Spiced shrimp in a garlic lemon pan sauce over a cheesy cauliflower mash.

  • A proper home cook
  • Gluten-free
  • American
  • Dinner
  • Shrimp
  • Keto
  • Low carb
  • High protein
Hands-on
22 min
Total time
40 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 12 min
  • Cook 20 min
  • Clean up 8 min
Pans
2
Ingredients
12
Cost/serving
$5.83

Per serving

Calories
431
Protein
46 g
Fiber
4.2 g
Net carbs
8 g
Fat
23 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Selenium 139%, Vitamin B12 96%, Vitamin C 88%, Vitamin K 52%, Vitamin B6 41%, Niacin (B3) 36%, Zinc 36%, Folate 35%, Vitamin E 30%, Calcium 29%, Riboflavin (B2) 22%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 2

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 350 g raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

    Same amount as: 12¼ oz.

  • ½ head cauliflower (300 g)

    Same amount as: about 2¾ cups.

  • 1 tbsp butter (14 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL, about ⅛ stick.

  • ½ cup cheddar, grated (56 g)

    Same amount as: 120 mL.

  • 1 tsp paprika (2.3 g)

    Same amount as: 5 mL.

  • ½ tsp chili powder (1.4 g)

    Same amount as: 2 mL.

  • ½ tsp garlic powder (1.6 g)

    Same amount as: 2 mL.

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (14 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL.

  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed (6 g)

    Same amount as: 2 tsp fresh minced garlic, 1 tsp jarred minced garlic, ¼ tsp garlic powder.

  • ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth (60 g)

    Same amount as: 60 mL.

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (15 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL, ¼ lemon squeezed from fresh lemons.

  • 2 medium green onions (30 g)
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Healthier swaps

Optional. Nutrition and cost update as you choose; the recipe was written with the original.

  • butter
    • olive oil: Much less saturated fat. Uses a little less, since oil is all fat. Best for cooking, not baking.

Quantities are for 2 servings.

Nutrition Facts

2 servings per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (426 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories431
Total fat23 g30%
Saturated fat10 g51%
Cholesterol325 mg108%
Sodium678 mg29%
Total carbohydrate12 g4%
Dietary fiber4.2 g15%
Total sugars3.8 g
Net carbs†8 g
Protein46 g92%
Vitamin D0.27 mcg1%
Calcium372 mg29%
Iron1.8 mg10%
Potassium806 mg17%
Vitamin A169 mcg19%
Vitamin C79 mg88%
Vitamin E4.5 mg30%
Vitamin K62 mcg52%
Thiamin (B1)0.15 mg12%
Riboflavin (B2)0.28 mg22%
Niacin (B3)5.8 mg36%
Vitamin B60.69 mg41%
Folate140 mcg35%
Vitamin B122.3 mcg96%
Magnesium78 mg18%
Zinc4 mg36%
Selenium76 mcg139%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Cut the cauliflower into florets. Boil them in a pot of water 10–12 minutes.

    Done looks like: A knife slides into a floret with no resistance.
  2. Meanwhile, thaw the shrimp if frozen and pat them dry. Toss with the paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mince the garlic. Slice the green onions.

  3. Drain the cauliflower well and let it steam dry in the colander 2 minutes. Blend with the butter and cheddar until smooth. Return it to the pot, cover and keep warm.

    Done looks like: Thick and creamy, like grits. No watery pool.
  4. Heat the oil in the skillet on medium-high. Cook the shrimp in one layer 1–2 minutes per side. Move them to a plate.

    Done looks like: Pink and opaque, curled into a loose C, 63 °C / 145 °F.
  5. Add the garlic and stir 30 seconds. Pour in the broth and scrape up the brown bits. Boil 1–2 minutes, then stir in the lemon juice.

    Done looks like: Reduced by about half and lightly coats a spoon.
  6. Return the shrimp and toss. Spoon over the cauliflower and top with the green onion.

Equipment

Medium pot with lid, about 2 L (2 qt) $15–35

What to look for

  • Lid that fits snugly
  • Thick base so it does not scorch

Skip: Glass lids that fog up are fine; copper is not needed.

Blender $30–100

What to look for

  • Handles frozen fruit without stalling
  • Jar that is easy to take apart and rinse

Skip: Expensive high-speed blenders unless you blend every day. A personal blender works for one serving.

Large frying pan or skillet, 30 cm (12 in) $25–60

What to look for

  • Wide flat base so food cooks in one layer
  • Stainless steel or cast iron for high heat

Skip: Woks on flat electric stoves; they do not heat evenly there.

Silicone spatula $5–12

What to look for

  • One-piece (no seam where the head meets the handle)
  • Stiff enough to scrape, safe on non-stick

Skip: Wooden spatulas for non-stick pans; they work but do not scrape as cleanly.

Chef's knife, 20 cm (8 in) $15–50

What to look for

  • Comfortable handle that does not slip when wet
  • Blade you can sharpen, or a cheap one you replace every few years

Skip: Knife blocks with 12 knives. A chef's knife and a small paring knife cover almost everything.

Cutting board $10–30

What to look for

  • At least 30 × 40 cm (12 × 16 in), so food stays on it
  • Wood or plastic; plastic goes in the dishwasher

Skip: Glass or stone boards. They dull knives fast.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Runny cauliflower mashCauliflower not drained well.Let it steam dry after draining. If still thin, stir it in the pot over low heat 2–3 minutes.
Hot mash bursts out of the blenderSteam pushes the lid off.Fill the blender no more than half full, remove the lid cap and cover the hole with a folded towel.

Versions

VersionChangesPer serving
OriginalAs written. Hands-on 22 min, total 40 min.431 kcal
46 g protein
4.2 g fiber
8 g net carbs
23 g fat
Dairy-freeCoconut oil instead of butter, nutritional yeast instead of cheddar. Hands-on 22 min, total 40 min.346 kcal
42 g protein
5.3 g fiber
8.3 g net carbs
15 g fat

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.

Pregnancy: Cook shrimp to 63 °C / 145 °F, until pink and opaque all through.