Jul 14 2026
RestaurantsOld Lady Gang Southern CuisineRiley’s Shrimp & Grits Recipe

Riley’s Shrimp & Grits Recipe

Time45m
Serves2

sautéed shrimp (6) and vodka cream sauce with smoked gouda grits

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Ingredients

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Shrimp

Vodka Cream Sauce

Smoked Gouda Grits

Method

Preparing the Grits

  1. 1

    Cook the Grits

    In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of grits and 1 tsp of salt. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for about 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally until the grits are thick and creamy.

  2. 2

    Add Cheese and Butter

    Once the grits are cooked, stir in 1 cup of smoked gouda cheese and 2 tbs of butter until melted and combined. Keep warm.

Making the Vodka Cream Sauce

  1. 3

    Prepare the Sauce

    In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 cup of vodka. Allow it to simmer for about 5 minutes to let the alcohol evaporate slightly.

  2. 4

    Add Cream and Cheese

    Stir in 1 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of grated parmesan cheese. Cook for an additional 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens. Season with 0.5 tsp of salt and 0.5 tsp of black pepper, mixing well.

  3. 5

    Finish with Basil

    Remove from heat and stir in 0.5 cup of chopped fresh basil.

Cooking the Shrimp

  1. 6

    Sauté the Shrimp

    In another skillet, heat 2 tbs of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 3 tsp of minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

  2. 7

    Cook the Shrimp

    Add the shrimp to the skillet, seasoning with 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of black pepper, and 1 tsp of red pepper flakes. Cook for about 3-4 minutes on each side until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Plating the Dish

  1. 8

    Serve

    To serve, spoon a generous portion of the smoked gouda grits onto each plate. Top with sautéed shrimp and drizzle the vodka cream sauce over the top. Garnish with extra basil if desired.

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