This Keto Shrimp and Grits Recipe with Low Carb Loaded Cauliflower Rice Is A Total Game-Changer

Shrimp and grits-the ultimate Southern comfort food with all of the classic rich and cheesy, buttery flavor and texture you’d expect from the traditional recipe less carbs thanks to a one of a kind cauliflower rice that makes this the ultimate keto comfort food with 5.6 net carbs.

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Have you been looking for delicious comfort food that’s not loaded with carbs? Me too!

I’ve been getting tired of all the recipes promising authentic tasting low carb Southern-style cuisine only to end up disappointed after slaving over a hot stove and steaming pots of cauliflower rice.

No offense to Northern folks, but when it comes to good old-fashioned Southern cooking, Y’all should probably leave that to those of us born South of the Mason Dixon line.

I created this keto shrimp and grits recipe mostly to prove that it could be done and because I was starving! But first, I had some questions that needed answers.  

How Shrimp & Grits Became A Thing

You may be surprised to learn – or you may not give a rip – about this culinary classic’s humble beginnings as a simple, cheap breakfast for the fisherman in the Lowcountry marshes of South Carolina and Georgia.

Shrimp and Grits didn’t gain any real attention until the mid-eighties… 

Since we love a good story here, I did some digging Paul Harvey style investigating and learned in 1982 a self-taught chef named Bill Neal changed the trajectory of the recipe for-evah and made Southern comfort food a 4-star staple after serving his signature version at Crook’s Corner in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Chef Neal’s recipe featured grits infused with cheddar and parmesan cheese topped with seasoned jumbo shrimp, mushrooms, and bacon. In 1985, The New York Times’ Craig Claiborne published the recipe and well, the rest is history.

Making It Keto & Slap Your Mama Good  

Here’s the thing.

I’m a Mississippi girl and I grew up on grits. (A low carb nightmare:) I fell in love with John Currence’s Shrimp & Grits recipe while I was a student at Ole Miss. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I have ever ordered anything else from John’s restaurant City Grocery in over 20 years! Now, I don’t know if that makes me loyal or boring, but I do know this: his fabulous carb loaded recipe helped me gain way more than the Freshman 15.

Dear Comfort Food: I Just Can’t Quit You

As Y’all know, I’ve lost over 148 pounds on the keto diet, an entire fourth grader, but I miss Southern comfort food. So, I did what any hungry girl would do and made my favorite “grits” low carb.

And y’all…

It’s legit Slap Your Mama Good!

*Disclaimer: I’m not telling you to slap your mother. I do not need Mama Drama! 

Important Notes About The Cauliflower Rice

We took the easy route, and bought the 12 ounce bags of chopped cauliflower. You could also buy a medium head of cauliflower and save money.  

Either way, you’re going to have to use a food processor or grater to get the texture right and steam it! 

We steamed ours right there on the stove with a little water and a careful eye for about 7 minutes. 

You can also steam it in the microwave. Just put it in a microwave safe bowl with a tablespoon of oil and cover with plastic wrap. Set the microwave for 3 minutes and you’re done! *If you use the microwave method-put the rice back into a medium-large sauce pan over low heat. 

Are you ready?

Because you can throw away all the other keto/low carb/healthy/shrimp and grits recipes you have. This is the only one you need! Bold claim? Sure. But you’re just going to have to trust me.

If You Love Comfort Food, Here’s A Few More Keto Recipes You Need

Original Mississippi Pot Roast Recipe Is Your New Favorite Keto Crockpot Recipe 

Keto Crockpot White Shredded Chicken Chili

Fully Loaded Keto Cauliflower Soup

25 Insanely Delicious Keto Comfort Food Dinner Recipes

Looking For Ways To Make Sticking To Keto Easier?

I get it! I’ve lost 148 pounds on the keto diet and maintained that weight loss for eight years. Here are my top two sanity-saving recommendations.

My first step was following the recipes from Tastaholics. Their Keto in 5 kept me from second-guessing every recipe in the early stages of my weight loss journey. 

Here’s the low-down on the weekly meal plans – Tastaholics will send you pre-calculated, low carb meal plans and recipes right into your inbox – no more hunting down recipes on the internet and trying to fit them together perfectly every day. 

Ok, sales pitch over! I hope you enjoyed the shrimp and grits! Have a great day, and thank you for reading!

Today’s Quote: “We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained.” — Marie Curie