Shrimp and Polenta With Cajun Lemon Butter is an elevated comfort meal that comes together in under 30 minutes. If you’re a fan of soul-warming comfort food, then the thought of shrimp sautéed in bacon drippings, seasoned with a robust blend of Cajun and Old Bay spices, nestled onto a bed of creamy, cheese-infused polenta will have you drooling. Promise.
This recipe for Shrimp and Polenta with Cajun Lemon Butter serves up a plateful of bold flavors and contrasting textures that is sure to satisfy even the pickiest of palates!
Let’s get started!
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let’s talk shrimp and polenta
My shrimp and polenta is the ultimate comfort food combination that comes together in no time! When I say no time, I mean this recipe will be ready for serving in less than 30 minutes. No kidding.
First, we will start with bacon. Rendering the bacon provides us with the perfect cooking base for the shrimp. Perfectly seasoned shrimp is sautéed in those lovely bacon drippings. Shrimp cooks in a matter of minutes. Once that is done, we will move on the polenta. The instant polenta that I use cooks in 3 minutes. It will take you longer to plate this than to cook it.
Shrimp and polenta is such a fantastic versatile dish and can easily be adapted to suit your taste and dietary preferences. Whether you make it dairy-free, lower-carb, or stick to the rich, creamy original, this recipe is a surefire way to bring comfort and joy to your table and those hungry bellies!
Recipe Ingredients
- Shrimp: Juicy shrimp is the star of the dish, providing a succulent, seafood bite.
- Cajun Seasoning and Old Bay: A mix of Cajun seasoning for a Southern flair and Old Bay for an out-of-this-world flavor combo.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky depth to the shrimp that’s absolutely irresistible.
- Instant Polenta: Creamy polenta serves as a comforting base for the seasoned shrimp.
- Chicken or Vegetable Broth: Deepens the flavor of the polenta with a savory touch.
- Green Onion: Offers a pop of color and a fresh, oniony crunch.
- Butter: Because everything is better with butter
- Parmesan Cheese: Lends a savory, nutty note to the polenta, elevating it with its sharp tang.
- Heavy Cream: Brings luscious creaminess to the polenta.
- Lemon: A bright splash of citrus to cut through and balance the richness.
- Kosher Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper: Essential seasonings for the perfect flavor base.
How to Make Shrimp and Polenta
Get ready. This shrimp and polenta recipe is going to go quick. No one needs to wait for a fantastic comfort meal, and I’m not going to make you!
For the shrimp, it’s all about that bacon—take the time to render it and unlock an incredible flavor that complements the shrimp beautifully. Once the bacon is crisped, remove it from the pan. Throw in the white tops of the green onion and the seasoned shrimp. Sautè just a few minutes until the shrimp is just cooked through. Don’t overcook your shrimp. They’ll turn to rubber. No one needs that.
After cooking the shrimp to perfection, a generous squeeze of lemon ties everything together. Set this aside.
Now, onto the polenta. I use a quick cooking polenta because this recipe comes together so quickly. Stir the polenta into a pot of boiling broth, whisking to prevent any clumps. Once its done, remove from the heat and stir in the butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese for a truly indulgent experience. Another squeeze of lemon just gilds the lily.
To plate the shrimp and polenta, start with a base of the creamy, cheesy polenta, top with a pile of the perfectly cooked Cajun shrimp. Top with a sprinkle of the bacon and the green onion tops. If you’re feeling extra, another squeeze of lemon. Enjoy!
frequently asked questions
Yes! This recipe is 100% gluten-free. No need to substitute any ingredients for that dietary requirement!
Yes! Opt for dairy-free butter and a non-dairy cream alternative to adapt this recipe to your dietary needs.
Polenta is made from yellow corn, giving it a slightly sweet flavor, while grits are typically made from white corn. Both can be creamy and delicious when prepared with care.
You can use them interchangeably, in my opinion.
This dish pairs wonderfully with a crisp, green salad or steamed vegetables to balance out the richness. For a heartier meal, consider adding a slice of crusty bread to sop up the delightful juices.
Also, try these awesome recipes to serve with the Shrimp and Polenta.
No Knead Bread
Sour Cream Biscuits
Classic Wedge Salad
Grilled Caesar Salad
Mashed Cauliflower is the answer. If you want something a little lower-carb, serving the Shrimp and Polenta with mashed cauliflower instead will give you an amazing result.
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Shrimp and Polenta With Cajun Lemon Butter
Ingredients
- 4-6 slices bacon, chopped
- 1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 tsp cajun seasoning recipe below or use your favorite
- 1 tsp Old Bay
- 1 bunch green onions, diced whites and greens separated
- juice of 1 lemon half for the shrimp, half for the polenta
- 1 9.2 oz box instant polenta
- 4½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 cup parmesan, grated
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- ½ cup heavy cream
- kosher salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Render the bacon on medium-high heat until crisp. Remove bacon from sautè pan.
- Toss the shrimp in the cajun seasoning and Old Bay. Add shrimp, whites of the green onions to the sautè pan and cook until shrimp is just done. Remove shrimp from heat. Squeeze juice of half a lemon on top and set aside
- Bring the broth to a boil in a large pot. Slowly pour polenta into the pot, whisking to prevent any clumps. After 3 minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the butter, heavy cream, and parmesan cheese. Add the juice of the remaining half of a lemon to the polenta and stir to combine.
- To plate the shrimp and polenta, start with a base of the polenta, top with a pile of the cooked shrimp. Top with a sprinkle of the bacon and the green onion tops. Add salt and pepper, to taste. If you're feeling extra, another squeeze of lemon. Enjoy!
Notes
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp granulated garlic
- 1 tsp granulated onion
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp cayenne, optional
Nutrition
If you guys make this Shrimp and Polenta Recipe, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! I absolutely love to hear from you all and always do my best to respond to each and every one of your comments!
Thank you!
I am so incredibly happy that you are here! I hope you try my Shrimp and Polenta recipe and fall in love with it. If you make this recipe, please share and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok! And, please leave a comment or review. I absolutely love seeing each and every one of your kitchen masterpieces. And, as always, if you ever have any questions about any of my recipes, please don’t hesitate to contact me!
Happy Cooking!
–Rufus
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