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    Home » Recipes » Fish and Seafood

    By Carol Published: Mar 27, 2016 Modified: Jul 14, 2021 | This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp

    Jump to Recipe
    4.41 from 25 votes
    45 minutes
    Healthier Shrimp and Grits! Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese and Blackened Shrimp #OXOSpiralizer

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp is a low-carb update to traditional shrimp and grits that doesn't leave out any of the comfort!

    Photo of Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese and Blackened Shrimp in clay dish on brown burlap.

    More and more of my clients are requesting healthful alternatives to rice, pasta and because this is the South--grits!

    Grits are super starchy and the ultimate in Southern comfort food.  So how to make them healthier?  Cauliflower!

    TABLE OF CONTENTS - Click the Icon to Find the Info You Need FAST!

    • How to make cauliflower grits:
    • How to make cauliflower grits with a vegetable spiralizer:
    • How to make Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp:
    • Be sure to check out these other shrimp and grits recipes!
    • Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp
      • Equipment
      • Ingredients  1x2x3x
        • Cauliflower Grits
        • Blackening Mix and Shrimp
      • Instructions 
        • Cauliflower Grits
        • Blackening Mix and Shrimp
      • Notes
      • Nutrition

    How to make cauliflower grits:

    I've made cauliflower grits and cauliflower rice with both food processors and hand graters.  The problem with a food processor is that it's very easy to overprocess the cauliflower and practically puree it as cauliflower does have a lot of water in it.

    A hand grater works much better, however, it's a lot of work and by the time I'm finished grating a head of cauliflower, my arm and shoulder are extremely tired.

    You could purchase already riced cauliflower, but the "riced" bits tend to be larger than grits.  I much prefer to use purchased "riced" cauliflower when substituting rice.

    Another alternative is to use a vegetable spiralizer!  The process is a little contrived, but it does work.

    Photo of a head of white cauliflower.

    How to make cauliflower grits with a vegetable spiralizer:

    • Start with a fresh, crisp snowy-white medium-to-large head of cauliflower.
    • Remove all the leaves, but do not cut off the stem.
    • Insert a long chopstick into the center of the top of the cauliflower.

    Collage of photos on how to set up cauliflower to be spiralized and shredded.

    • Using the fine, spaghetti-cut blade, place the chopstick through the hole that's near the top of the blade.
    • Secure the cauliflower with the food holder and spiralize away!

    Photo of cauliflower being shredded in a vegetable spiralizer.

    Photo of cauliflower in tiny bits as its coming out of the spiralizer.

    • Once the cauliflower is processed through the spiralizer, use a chef's knife to finely chop it into small even "grains."
    • If any cauliflower florets left near the stem are difficult to pass through the blade, simply hand chop them along with the rest.

    How easy is that?

    How to make Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp:

    Now onto the rest of this creamy, cheesy wonderful low-carb Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese and Blackened Shrimp.

    As I've mentioned in previous posts, I just couldn't wrap my mind around "grits" when I first moved to the South and now I'm somewhat of a fanatic.  I love being able to create a healthier version of the dish I'm so passionate about!

    Photo of Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese in black bowl with serving spoon on blue striped towel.

    • I use reduced-fat cream cheese blended with chicken broth rather than cream or half-and-half to produce a creamy base for the "grits."
    • Because gouda is a full-flavored cheese, you don't need much.  The amount of gouda cheese melted in at the end amounts to only ¼ cup per serving.  That's not bad and cheese is a good source of calcium.

    Photo of Cauliflower Grits with Gouda Cheese being served with spoon.

    ....Aaannnd......What are grits without shrimp?

    These blackened shrimp with my amazing homemade blackening mixture sear up easily in a cast-iron or nonstick skillet and pack a ton of flavor without a heavy sauce.  The recipe for the blackening mixture makes more than you'll need for the shrimp, but once you try it, you'll always want to have it on hand!

    Photo of seven Blackened Shrimp on cast iron pan.

    Enjoy!

    Be sure to check out these other shrimp and grits recipes!

    • Pumpkin, Chipotle and White Cheddar Grits with Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
    • Smothered Shrimp and Andouille Sausage with Creamy Parmesan Peppercorn Grits 
    • Spicy Shrimp and Grits Casserole with Gouda Cheese

    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp

    4.41 from 25 votes
    By: Carol | From A Chef's Kitchen
    Cheesy Cauliflower Grits with Blackened Shrimp is a low-carb update to traditional shrimp and grits that doesn’t leave out any of the comfort!
    PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE TEXT INGREDIENTS TO PHONE SAVE RECIPE Saved!
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 45 mins
    Course Fish and Seafood
    Cuisine Southern
    Servings 4
    Calories 520 kcal

    Equipment

    • Wusthof Chef Knife
    • Cheese/Box Grater
    • Oxo Spiralizer
    • Nonstick Skillet
    • Glass Mixing Bowls
    • Set of Cast Iron Skillets

    Ingredients
      

    Cauliflower Grits

    • 1 large head cauliflower
    • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 bunch scallions - white and light green part only
    • 1 cup chicken broth
    • 4 ounces cream cheese - reduced fat, whipped or regular, room temperature
    • 4 ounces Gouda cheese - shredded (approximately 1 cup)
    • salt and freshly ground black pepper
    • ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley

    Blackening Mix and Shrimp

    • 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
    • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika
    • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
    • 1 tablespoon onion powder
    • 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dry mustard
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried thyme
    • 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
    • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper - or to taste
    • 1 teaspoon salt - kosher or sea
    • 3 tablespoons olive oil - or as needed
    • 1 pound jumbo shrimp - 16-20 ct

    Instructions
     

    Cauliflower Grits

    • Process the head of cauliflower through a spiralizer, then finely chop if necessary. Set aside. Alternately, shred in a food processor or hand-grate with a grater.
    • Heat butter in a shallow saucepan over medium-high heat. Add scallions, reduce heat to medium and cook 1-2 minutes to soften.
    • Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Whisk in cream cheese, stirring constantly until cream cheese is incorporated into the broth.
    • Add the cauliflower and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring often. (I like them a little less cooked--you may like them cooked more.)
    • Add the Gouda cheese, continuing to stir until the cheese has melted and cauliflower is a creamy consistency. Season to taste with salt and black pepper. Stir in parsley and keep warm. Serve with shrimp.

    Blackening Mix and Shrimp

    • Combine spice mixture in a small bowl. Set aside.
    • Generously coat the shrimp with the blackening mix.
    • Heat olive oil in a cast iron or nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp and cook 1-2 minutes per side or until firm, being careful not to overcook. Serve grits topped with shrimp.

    Notes

    A spiralizer, cheese grater or food processor will all work to "rice" the cauliflower.
    SUBSTITUTIONS:  Any cheese that melts nicely can be substituted for the gouda.  Try Monterey jack, Gruyere or goat cheese.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 | Calories: 520kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 16g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 14g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 1885mg | Potassium: 1125mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 4126IU | Vitamin C: 113mg | Calcium: 398mg | Iron: 4mg

    These are estimated values generated from a nutritional database using unbranded products. Please do your own research with the products you're using if you have a serious health issue or are following a specific diet.

    Did you make this recipe? Please leave a comment, star rating or post your photo on Instagram and tag @fromachefskitchen.

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    Categories: Fish and Seafood

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Rhonda says

      January 18, 2022 at 2:29 pm

      Is that 22 carbs per serving or for all 4 servings so 5.5 carbs per serving?

      Reply
      • Carol says

        January 18, 2022 at 3:42 pm

        Hi, Rhonda, Thanks so much for your question. As mentioned in the disclaimer, all these values are computer-generated. I ran the recipe through the calculator at this site: Very Well Fit and came up with 7 carbs per serving, so your estimation of 5.5 carbs is much closer. Thanks again and hope that helps!

        Reply
    2. Angela says

      September 21, 2021 at 5:34 pm

      5 stars
      Man oh man! I made the Gouda “grits” to pair with a keto boeuf bourguignon and DANG! Those things are amazing!!! Thank you so much!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        September 21, 2021 at 5:44 pm

        Hi, Angela, Thanks so very much and so glad you enjoyed. You made my day!! Thanks again!

        Reply
    3. Brandace Borge says

      February 19, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      I am on Day 11 of Keto, I just made this for myself and asked my family to try....now they are all seated eating it up, guess I will have to make more lol. I really love the taste of the shrimp OMG the smoked paprika makes all the difference. I’m in love with these grits as well, mmm mmm mmm thank you for making this keto recipe so delicious and my keto experience easier ❤️ I will continue to look for more 🙌🏼

      Reply
      • Carol says

        February 20, 2021 at 8:51 am

        Hi, Brandace, Thanks so much and glad you and your family are enjoying this dish so much!

        Reply
    4. Val says

      October 20, 2020 at 7:00 pm

      This is one of my favorite new recipes. I've made it twice in the last couple of weeks and it's fantastic. I've shared with friends, as well. I also love the blackened seasoning recipe. I have all the ingredients anyway and it's so much less expensive than buying the named brands of already made.

      Reply
      • Carol says

        October 21, 2020 at 8:33 am

        Hi, Val, Thanks so very much, glad you enjoy and love that it's a new favorite of yours! Thanks again!

        Reply
    5. Brad says

      May 10, 2020 at 8:35 pm

      A superb blend of flavor combinations, contrasting spicy shrimp with the cheesy cauliflower. I garnished with fresh chives and served alongside Meyer lemon zest asparagus. Thank you for this recipe!

      Reply
      • Carol says

        May 11, 2020 at 7:06 am

        Hi, Brad, Thanks so much and you made my day! Your entire meal sounds amazing and so glad you enjoyed!

        Reply
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