Red Snapper, Shrimp & Grits with Cajun Cream Sauce
A Southern coastal masterpiece—flaky snapper, plump shrimp, and creamy grits smothered in a spicy Cajun cream sauce.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Cook Time: 25 mins | Total Time: 40 mins
Serves: 2
Ingredients
For the Grits
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1 cup stone-ground grits (or quick grits)
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3 cups water (or chicken broth for extra flavor)
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½ cup heavy cream
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2 tbsp butter
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½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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Salt & pepper to taste
For the Seafood
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2 red snapper fillets (6-8 oz each), skin-on
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½ lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined
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1 tbsp Cajun seasoning (divided)
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2 tbsp olive oil (divided)
For the Cajun Cream Sauce
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2 tbsp butter
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2 garlic cloves, minced
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½ cup heavy cream
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½ cup chicken broth
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1 tsp hot sauce (like Crystal or Tabasco)
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1 tbsp lemon juice
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2 tbsp chopped parsley
Instructions
1️⃣ Cook the Grits
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Bring water/broth to a boil. Whisk in grits, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 20-25 mins (stirring often) until creamy. Stir in cream, butter, cheese, salt & pepper. Cover and keep warm.
2️⃣ Season & Sear the Seafood
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Pat snapper and shrimp dry. Rub with 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning total.
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Heat 1 tbsp oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook snapper skin-side down for 4 mins, flip, and cook 2-3 mins until flaky. Remove and set aside.
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In the same skillet, add remaining oil and cook shrimp for 2 mins per side. Remove and set aside.
3️⃣ Make the Cajun Cream Sauce
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Melt butter in the same skillet. Sauté garlic for 30 seconds.
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Add cream, broth, hot sauce, lemon juice, and remaining 1½ tsp Cajun seasoning. Simmer 3-4 mins until slightly thickened.
4️⃣ Assemble & Serve
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Spoon grits into bowls. Top with snapper and shrimp, drizzle with sauce, and garnish with parsley.
Serving Suggestions
🔥 Extra heat: Add sliced jalapeños or a dash of cayenne to the sauce.
🥗 Pair with: Collard greens or a crisp cucumber salad.
🍷 Wine: Off-dry Riesling or chilled rosé to balance the spice.
Pro Tips
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For crispy skin: Press snapper with a spatula for the first 1 minute of cooking.
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Grits shortcut: Use instant grits (cook 5 mins) but reduce liquid slightly.
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No snapper? Substitute grouper or mahi-mahi.
“A restaurant-worthy dish that’s surprisingly simple—spicy, creamy, and packed with coastal flavor!”
Want it richer? Stir a spoonful of cream cheese into the grits! 🐟🍤
